The Chinatown cast features Jack Nicholson, Faye Dunaway and John Huston. This info article contains minor spoilers and character details for Roman Polanski’s 1974 movie on Paramount+ and The Criterion Channel. Check out more cast guides in Vague Visages’ Know the Cast category.

Chinatown takes place in 1930s Los Angeles. As J.J. Gittes investigates a murder, he learns about a conspiracy involving the Department of Water and Power. The narrative follows the main protagonist as he develops an intense and revelatory relationship with his female client. Here’s every actor and character in Chinatown.

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Chinatown Cast: Jack Nicholson as J.J. Gittes

Character Profile: A private investigator. He is a former police officer who investigates a murder and land development conspiracy. Jake develops a romantic relationship with his female client.

Nicholson’s Resume: George Hanson in Easy Rider (1969), R.P. McMurphy in One Flew Over the Cuckoo’s Nest (1975), Jack Torrance in The Shining (1980), Melvin Udall in As Good as It Gets (1997), Costello in The Departed (2006)

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Chinatown Cast: Faye Dunaway as Evelyn Mulwray

Character Profile: A widow. She hires Jake to investigate her late husband’s death. Evelyn makes a shocking revelation about her father and sister.

Dunaway’s Resume: Bonnie Parker in Bonnie and Clyde (1967), Vicki Anderson in The Thomas Crown Affair (1968), Diana Christensen in Network (1976), Laura Mars in Eyes of Laura Mars (1978), Joan Crawford in Mommie Dearest (1981)

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Chinatown Cast: John Huston as Noah Cross

Character Profile: Evelyn’s father. He is a businessman who hires Jake to expose his son-in-law. Noah secretly plots to acquire land for a reservoir.

Huston’s Resume: The Director of The Maltese Falcon (1941), Key Largo (1948), The Treasure of the Sierra Madre (1948) and The Asphalt Jungle (1950) — Also, Jake Hannaford in The Other Side of the Wind (2018)

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Chinatown Cast: Perry Lopez as Escobar

Character Profile: Jake’s former colleague. He is a lieutenant for the Los Angeles Police Department. Escobar investigates the death of Evelyn’s husband.

Lopez’s Resume: Tomas in Creature from the Black Lagoon (1954), Rodriguez in Star Trek (1966), Frisco in Bandolero! (1968), Petuko in Kelly’s Heroes (1970), Captain Escobar in The Two Jakes (1990)

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Chinatown Cast: John Hillerman as Yelburton

Character Profile: The chief deputy of the Department of Water and Power. He looks after Los Angeles reservoirs. Yelburton colludes with Noah in a land grab plan.

Hillerman’s Resume: Teacher in The Last Picture Show (1971), Hotel Manager in What’s Up, Doc? (1972), Howard Johnson in Blazing Saddles (1974), Jonathan Quayle Higgins in Magnum, P.I. (1980-88), Lloyd Hogan in Valerie (1990-91)

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Chinatown Cast: Darrell Zwerling as Hollis Mulwray

Character Profile: Evelyn’s husband. He is the chief engineer at the Department of Water and Power. Hollis dies after getting exposed for having an affair.

Zwerling’s Resume: Mr. Lynch in Grease (1978), Dr. Bergen in Capricorn One (1978), William Zinoff in And Justice for All (1979), Underwear Salesman in Joe Versus the Volcano (1990), Singer’s Manager in Wild at Heart (1990)

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The Chinatown cast also includes:

• Diane Ladd as Ida Sessions
• Roy Jenson as Mulvihill
• Roman Polanski as Man with Knife
• Richard Bakalyan as Loach
• Joe Mantell as Walsh
• Bruce Glover as Duffy
• Nandu Hinds as Sophie
• James O’Rear as Lawyer
• James Hong as Evelyn’s Butler
• Beulah Quo as Maid

Q.V. Hough (@QVHough) is Vague Visages’ founding editor.