Sister Helen Prejean

Susan Sarandon

Matthew Poncelet

Sean Penn

Hilton Barber

Robert Prosky

Earl Delacroix

Raymond J. Barry

Clyde Percy

R. Lee Ermey

Mary Beth Percy

Celia Weston

Helen's mother

Lois Smith

Kaplan Farlely

Scott Wilson

Lucille Poncelet

Roberta Maxwell

Sister Colleen

Margo Martindale

Captain Beliveau

Barton Heyman

Craig Poncelet

Jack Black

Luis Montoya

Ray Aranha

Sgt. Neal Trapp

Steve Boles

Walter Delacroix

Peter Sarsgaard

Warden Hartman

Nesbitt Blaisdell

Guy Gilardi

Larry Pine

Bishop Norwich

Gil Robbins

Governor Benedict

Kevin Cooney

State Trooper

Clancy Brown

Nurse

Adele Robbins

Carl Vitello

Michael Cullen

Hope Percy

Missy Yager

Emily Percy

Jenny Krochmal

Sonny Poncelet

Jon Abrahams

Troy Poncelet

Arthur Bridgers

Helen's Brother

Steve Carlisle

9-Year-Old Helen

Eva Amurri Martino

Opossum Kid #1

Jack Henry Robbins

Helen's Sister

Helen Hester

Henry

Dennis Neal

Nellie

Molly Bryant

Opossum Kid No. 2

Gary 'Buddy' Boe

Parent #1

Pete Burris

Opossum Kid No. 3

Amy Long

Parent #2

Joan Glover

Henry

Dennis F. Neal

Parent #4

Lenore Banks

Guard #2

Scott Sowers

Mirabeau

Pamela Garmon

Guard #3

Cortez Nance Jr.*

Guard #4

Adam Nelson

Reporter

Adrián Colón

Supporter

John D. Wilmot

Guard #7

Jeremy Knaster

Reporter No. 1

Margaret Lane

Parole Board Member (uncredited)

Marcus Lyle Brown

Reporter No. 2

Sally Ann Roberts

Trustee (uncredited)

Anthony Michael Frederick

Reporter No. 3

Alec Gifford

ER Doctor (uncredited)

Thomas McGowan

Reporter No. 4

John Hurlbutt

Cop (uncredited)

Codie Scott

News Anchor

Mike Longman

Woman at Vigil (uncredited)

Helen Prejean

Boy in Church

Miles Robbins

Parent No. 3

Florrie Hathorn

Idella

Idella Cassamier

Herbie

Marlon Horton

Kenitra

Kenitra Singleton

Palmer

Palmer Jackson

Johnathan

Johnathan Thomas

Guard No. 1

Walter Breaux Jr.

Guard No. 5

Dalvin Ford

Guard No. 6

Derek Steeley

Aide to Governor Benedict

Mary Robbins

Boy in Church

Miles Guthrie Robbins