ROBERT DE NIRO (Noodles) is a highly acclaimed actor who won Academy Awards for best actor as Jake LaMotta in Raging Bull and for best supporting actor as Don Corleone in The Godfather Part II. He has starred in many films directed by Martin Scorsese, including Mean Streets, Taxi Driver, New York New York, The King of Comedy, Goodfellas, Cape Fear, and Casino. Although known for his portrayals of brooding, menacing characters, De Niro has also shown his versatility in films such as The Mission, Falling In Love, Awakenings, Midnight Run, Frankenstein, and Heat. He has also shown comedic talent in Analyze This and Meet the Parents. De Niro has directed the films A Bronx Tale and The Good Shepherd.

JAMES WOODS (Max) has appeared in many films, giving intense and convincing characterisations, but is sometimes not served well by the material. He gave a superb performance in the brilliant Salvador and has also appeared in Videodrome, Best Seller, The Hard Way, and Casino. He is currently starring in the television series Shark. In an interview, Woods called Once Upon a Time In America a masterpiece and that acting in it was the highlight of his career.

ELIZABETH MCGOVERN (Deborah) Prior to Once Upon A Time In America, McGovern appeared in Ordinary People and Ragtime. According to Christopher Frayling's biography of Sergio Leone, her experience of making Once Upon A Time In America was not a happy one because she felt there was little to work with in the part of Deborah. Since then she has featured in She's Having a Baby, The Handmaid's Tale, The Wings of the Dove, and The House of Mirth, among many other projects. She also acts extensively for theatre.

TUESDAY WELD (Carol) is the daughter of a wealthy Boston family and began appearing in films as a child. Before 1983 she had appeared in many films, often with acclaimed performances, including Wild in the Country, The Cincinnatti Kid, I Walk the Line, and Looking for Mr Goodbar. Since Once Upon A Time In America she has made only occasional appearances, such as in Falling Down and Feeling Minnesota.

SCOTT TILER (Young Noodles) was a newcomer to screen acting when cast as Noodles. He has made occasional subsequent appearances including a part in the film City of Hope and has done extensive theatre acting. He is now a drama coach at Scott Sedita Acting Studios in Hollywood.

RUSTY JACOBS (Young Max) was also in three other films and executive produced a film called Carpati in 1996 according to IMDB.com. If anyone has further information please email me at webmaster@onceuponatimeinamerica.net

JENNIFER CONNELLY (Young Deborah) Connelly was 11 years old when she appeared in Once Upon A Time In America and has since gone on to star in many films, including Labyrinth, Career Opportunities, Requiem for a Dream, and House of Sand and Fog. She won an Academy Award for best supporting actress in A Beautiful Mind.

JAMES HAYDEN (Patsy) acted in several Broadway plays. He died of a drug overdose soon after filming of Once Upon A Time In America was completed.

WILLIAM FORSYTHE (Cockeye) is an extremely busy actor. Among his many appearances are the films Raising Arizona, Dick Tracy, and The Rock, and television series The Untouchables (as Al Capone) and John Doe.