Lady Sings the Blues (1972): cast, story & where to watch
1972 · Film · ★ 6.9
Released in 1972, Lady Sings the Blues is a drama, romance and music film directed by Sidney J. Furie, running about 144 minutes. “Diana Ross sings Billie Holiday and a superstar is born” — that tagline sets the tone.
What it’s about. Chronicles the rise and fall of legendary blues singer Billie Holiday. Her late childhood, stint as a prostitute, early tours, marriages and drug addiction are featured.
Who’s in it. Lady Sings the Blues stars Diana Ross as Billie Holiday, Billy Dee Williams as Louis McKay, Richard Pryor as Piano Man and James T. Callahan as Reg Hanley, among others.
How it landed. With an audience score of 6.9/10, Lady Sings the Blues has drawn a solid, mixed-to-positive response.
Where to watch. Streaming options change often. See the full, country-by-country breakdown on our where to watch Lady Sings the Blues page.
If you liked it. Fans of Lady Sings the Blues tend to enjoy The Shawshank Redemption, The Godfather, Schindler's List and The Godfather Part II.
Frequently asked
- Where can I watch Lady Sings the Blues (1972)?
- Streaming, rental and purchase options for Lady Sings the Blues change frequently. Check our where-to-watch page for the latest availability in your country.
- Is Lady Sings the Blues worth watching?
- Lady Sings the Blues holds an audience score of 6.9 out of 10, and is a strong pick if you enjoy drama, romance and music. Reactions are mixed, so it may depend on taste.
- Who stars in Lady Sings the Blues?
- Lady Sings the Blues stars Diana Ross, Billy Dee Williams, Richard Pryor, James T. Callahan and Paul Hampton.
- When was Lady Sings the Blues released?
- Lady Sings the Blues was released in 1972, with a runtime of about 144 minutes.