Matthew McConaughey Palmer Joss
Jodie Foster Ellie Arroway
Tom Skerritt David Drumlin
John Hurt S. R. Hadden
Rob Lowe Richard Rank
Jake Busey Joseph
William Fichtner Kent
James Woods Michael Kitz
David Morse Ted Arroway
Jena Malone Young Ellie
Leo Lee Major Domo
Angela Bassett Rachel Constantine
Robert Zemeckis Director, Producer
Max Martini Willie
Jay Leno Jay Leno
Scot Boland Casting Associate
J.A. Preston Senator (uncredited)
Robin Gammell Project Official
Steven Ford Major Russell
Kim Robert Koscki Stunts
Kristoffer Ryan Winters Dynamics #2
Michael Goldenberg Screenplay
Lynn Salvatori Stunts
Sara Gardner-Gail Set Dresser
Marisa Petroro Oval Office Secretary (uncredited)
Peter Jackson Additional Visual Effects
Charleen Richards-Steeves ADR Mixer
Carl Sagan Novel, Co-Producer, Story
Neal Matarazzo Kitz's Aide (uncredited)
Larry King Larry King
Yuji Okumoto Electrical
Tony Rivetti Sr. First Assistant Camera
Michael Albala Decryption Hacker
Henry Strozier Minister
Alex Veadov Russian Cosmonaut
Douglas Murray Sound Effects Editor
Hope Slepak Costumer
Haynes Brooke Drumlin Aide
Dennis Sands Sound Re-Recording Mixer
Scott Levy Sound Recordist
Sara Bolder Foley Editor
Bryant Gumbel Bryant Gumbel
Frances Mathias Hairstylist
Tim Alexander Digital Compositors
Jennifer Balgobin Dr. Patel
Philippe Bergeron French Committee Member
Alan Silvestri Original Music Composer
Richardson Morse Mission Doctor
Don Burgess Director of Photography
Keith VanderLaan Prosthetic Makeup Artist
Joan Bradshaw Executive Producer, Unit Production Manager
William Jordan Chairman of Joint Chiefs
Bruce Lacey Foley Editor
Steven J. Winslow Camera Technician
Ray Buffer Press Reporter (uncredited)
Ed Verreaux Production Design
David Morton Gaffer
Alison C. Rosa Second Second Assistant Director
Frank D. Parrish Second Assistant Camera
Barbara Lacy Makeup Artist
Robert LaBonge Camera Operator
Harry Keramidas Additional Editing
Carl Catanese Set Buyer
Todd Thompson News Reporter (uncredited)
Boris Lee Krutonog Astronaut (uncredited)
Peggy Names Cableman
Geoffrey Blake Fisher
Kenneth Jones Visual Effects Supervisor
Candice T. Cain Supporter (uncredited)
Saemi Nakamura Japanese Anchor
Tucker Smallwood Mission Director
Lynda Obst Executive Producer