Gary Busey

as Buddy Holly

Don Stroud

as Jesse Charles

Charles Martin Smith

as Ray Bob Simmons

Conrad Janis

as Ross Turner

William Jordan

as Riley

Maria Richwine

as Maria Elena Holly

Amy Johnston

as Cindy Lou

Dick O'Neill

as Sol Gittler

Fred Travalena

as Madman Mancuso

Neva Patterson

as Mrs. Holly

Arch Johnson

as Mr. Holly

John F. Goff

as T.J.

Gloria Irizarry

as Mrs. Santiago

Jody Berry

as Engineer Sam

Richard Kennedy

as Preacher

Jim Beach

as Wilson

Gailard Sartain

as The Big Bopper

Albert Popwell

as Eddie

Paul Mooney

as Sam

M.G. Kelly

as Avalon M.C.

Matthew Beard

as Luther