Private eye Jake Gittes lives off of the murky moral climate of sunbaked, pre-World War II Southern California. Hired by a beautiful socialite to investigate her husband's extra-marital affair, Gittes is swept into a maelstrom of double dealings and deadly deceits, uncovering a web of personal and political scandals that come crashing together.
Jack Nicholson J.J. 'Jake' Gittes
Faye Dunaway Evelyn Cross Mulwray
John Huston Noah Cross
Perry Lopez Lieutenant Lou Escobar
John Hillerman Russ Yelburton
Diane Ladd Ida Sessions
Roman Polanski Man with Knife
Roy Jenson Claude Mulvihill
Richard Bakalyan Detective Loach
James Hong Evelyn's Butler
Bruce Glover Duffy
Joe Mantell Lawrence Walsh
Roy Roberts Mayor Bagby
Noble Willingham Councilman
Rance Howard Irate Farmer
Jesse Vint Farmer in the Valley
Burt Young Curly
Lee de Broux Policeman
Darrell Zwerling Hollis I. Mulwray
Nandu Hinds Sophie
James O'Rear Lawyer
Beulah Quo Maid
Jerry Fujikawa Gardener
Belinda Palmer Katherine
Elliott Montgomery Councilman
George Justin Barber
C.O. Erickson Customer
Charles Knapp Mortician
Claudio MartÃnez Boy on Horseback
Federico Roberto Cross' Butler
Allan Warnick Clerk
John Holland Farmer in the Valley
Jim Burk Farmer in the Valley
Denny Arnold Farmer in the Valley
Elizabeth Harding Curly's Wife
John Rogers Mr. Palmer
Cecil Elliott Emma Dill
Paul Jenkins Policeman
Bob Golden Policeman
Richard Warren Driver (uncredited)
Fritzi Burr Mulwray's Secreatry
Cosmo Sardo Barber (uncredited)
Charles Fogel Retirement Home Resident (uncredited)