The Green Mile: Cast, Roles, Net Worth, Height, Families, And Relationships

The Green Mile (1999) is an American fantasy drama film written and directed by Frank Darabont, produced by Castle Rock Entertainment and distributed by Warner Bros. Pictures.

Adapted from Stephen King‘s 1996 serial novel of the same name, it follows Paul Edgecomb, head guard on death row at Cold Mountain Penitentiary during the Great Depression, who encounters John Coffey, a gentle giant convicted of murdering two girls but possessing miraculous healing powers.

Filmed in Tennessee and North Carolina (e.g., Blowing Rock, Shelby) from June to August 1999 on a $60 million budget, it premiered December 10, 1999, in the U.S.

It grossed $286.8 million worldwide ($136.8 million domestic, $150 million international), a massive hit yielding over $226 million profit. The soundtrack by Thomas Newman earned an Oscar nod.

Main Cast and Their Roles

Tom Hanks as Paul Edgecomb

• Role: Paul, the compassionate head guard on death row at Cold Mountain, burdened by a urinary infection and ethical dilemmas, who uncovers Coffey’s innocence and grapples with the system’s cruelty. Hanks’ “weary everyman” performance, blending quiet authority and vulnerability, anchors the film’s emotional core; full runtime.
• Net Worth: $400 million.
• Height: 6’0″ (1.83 m).
• Family: Born July 9, 1956, in Concord, California, to hospital worker Janet Marylyn Frager (Portuguese descent) and itinerant cook Amos “Bud” Hanks (English, German, Irish, Scottish). Siblings: half-brothers Larry (entomology professor), Jim (actor/filmmaker); sisters Sandra (writer). Frequent moves marked childhood; attended Chabot College and California State University, Sacramento (dropped out).
• Relationships: Married actress Samantha Lewes (1978–1987); two children: son Colin (b. 1977, actor), daughter Elizabeth (b. 1982). Married actress Rita Wilson (since 1988; met on Volunteers set); sons Chet (b. 1990, musician), Truman (b. 1995). Converted to Greek Orthodox with Wilson.
• Post-Film: Two-time Oscar winner (Philadelphia, Forrest Gump); directed That Thing You Do! (1996). Recent: Elvis (2022); A Man Called Otto (2023); Here (2024, de-aged); The Americas narrator (2025 NBC docuseries); 2025 Sylvanus Thayer Award recipient.

Michael Clarke Duncan as John Coffey

• Role: John, the towering, illiterate Black convict with a childlike innocence and Christ-like healing powers, wrongfully accused of murder, who touches lives on the Mile before his tragic fate. Duncan’s “soulful colossus” earned an Oscar nod for Best Supporting Actor; full runtime.
• Net Worth: $8 million (at death).
• Height: 6’5″ (1.96 m).
• Family: Born December 10, 1957, in Chicago, Illinois, to single mother Jean Duncan (house cleaner, d. 1999). Sibling: sister Judy. Attended Alcorn State University (communications, dropped out to support family).
• Relationships: Engaged to reality star Omarosa Manigault (2010–2012; met via mutual friends). Previous: dated Vanessa Bosele, Irene Marquez, Alisha Harrison. No children; family contested will post-death, alleging manipulation.
• Post-Film: Broke out post-Armageddon (1998); voiced in Kung Fu Panda (2008), Green Lantern (2011). Recent: The Finder (2012, spinoff from Bones); died September 3, 2012, from heart failure complications.

David Morse as Brutus “Brutal” Howell

• Role: Brutal, Paul’s loyal, hulking deputy guard with a gentle heart and strong moral compass, who aids in Coffey’s secret outings and execution. Morse’s “imposing softie” adds steadfast humanity; full runtime.
• Net Worth: $4 million.
• Height: 6’4″ (1.93 m).
• Family: Born October 11, 1953, in Beverly, Massachusetts, to salesman Charles Morse and teacher Jacquelyn Morse. Siblings: three younger sisters, one stepsister. Attended William Esper Studio (acting).
• Relationships: Married actress Susan Wheeler Duff (since 1982; met in theater). Children: daughter Hilary, twin sons. Relocated to Philadelphia post-1994 Northridge earthquake.
• Post-Film: Emmy-nom for House (2006); Treme (2010–2013). Recent: Escape at Dannemora (2018); The Chair (2021); Broadway’s How I Learned to Drive (2022 Tony nom).

James Cromwell as Warden Hal Moores

• Role: Hal, the principled warden overseeing Cold Mountain, torn between duty and compassion for his ailing wife, whom Coffey heals. Cromwell’s “dignified authority” conveys quiet torment; recurring across acts.
• Net Worth: $8 million.
• Height: 6’7″ (2.01 m).
• Family: Born January 27, 1940, in Los Angeles, California, to director/actor John Cromwell (blacklisted during McCarthy era) and actress Kay Johnson (divorced 1946). English, German, Irish, Scottish ancestry. Attended Middlebury College, Carnegie Mellon (architecture).
• Relationships: Married actress Anne Ulvestad (1969–1975); daughter Kate. Married actress Julie Cobb (1986–2006); son John (b. 1988, actor, 6’8″). Married actress Anna Stuart (since 2014).
• Post-Film: Oscar nom for Babe (1995); The Queen (2006). Recent: Succession (2018–2023, Emmy noms); Sugar (2024); Jurassic World: Fallen Kingdom (2018).

Michael Jeter as Eduard “Del” Delacroix

• Role: Del, the timid French inmate with a pet mouse (Mr. Jingles) who performs a poignant magic act, befriending the guards before a botched execution. Jeter’s “fragile dreamer” tugs heartstrings.
• Net Worth: $2 million (at death).
• Height: 5’5″ (1.65 m).
• Family: Born August 26, 1952, in Lawrenceburg, Tennessee, to dentist William Claud Jeter and housewife Virginia Raines. Siblings: brother William, sisters Virginia, Amanda, Emily, Lori. Attended Memphis State University (medicine to acting pivot).
• Relationships: Partner Sean Blue (1989–2003; met in theater). Openly gay; no children.
• Post-Film: Emmy winner for Evening Shade (1992); The Fisher King (1991). Recent: Open Range (2003); died March 30, 2003, from epileptic seizure complications (HIV-positive).

Graham Greene as Arlen Bitterbuck

• Role: Bitterbuck, the stoic Washita Tribe elder and first inmate executed under Paul, sharing wisdom and quiet dignity. Greene’s “resolute chief” sets a poignant tone.
• Net Worth: $1 million (at death).
• Height: 5’10” (1.78 m).
• Family: Born June 22, 1952, in Ohsweken, Ontario, Canada (Six Nations Reserve), to Oneida parents (details private). No siblings reported. Worked in steel industry pre-acting; audio tech for bands.
• Relationships: Married Hilary Blackmore (since 1990; met in theater). Four children.
• Post-Film: Oscar nom for Dances with Wolves (1990); Wind River (2017). Recent: Echo (2024 MCU); Reservation Dogs (2023); died September 1, 2025, after prolonged illness.

Doug Hutchison as Percy Wetmore

• Role: Percy, the sadistic, politically connected guard who torments inmates and sabotages executions for thrills. Hutchison’s “sniveling bully” is a chilling standout; full runtime.
• Net Worth: $500,000.
• Height: 5’11” (1.80 m).
• Family: Born May 26, 1960, in Dover, Delaware, to undisclosed parents. No siblings reported. Attended Bishop Foley High School (Michigan), Apple Valley High (Minnesota).
• Relationships: Married Kathleen Davison (1999–2002); Amanda Sellers (2003–2005). Married Courtney Stodden (2011–2020; met via acting workshop, she was 16—he 51; controversial, led to family estrangement). Single as of 2025.
• Post-Film: The X-Files (Tooms, 1993–1994); Lost (2007–2009). Recent: The Wrong Son (2025); runs Dark Water acting workshops.

Bonnie Hunt as Janice Edgecomb

• Role: Janice, Paul’s supportive wife who senses his growing turmoil and urges him to quit the Mile. Hunt’s “nurturing anchor” provides tender respite; recurring scenes.
• Net Worth: $12 million.
• Height: 5’8″ (1.73 m).
• Family: Born September 22, 1961, in Chicago, Illinois, to electrician Robert Hunt (Irish/Belgian) and homemaker Alice Hunt (Polish). Siblings: brothers Patrick, Kevin, Tom; sisters Cathy, Carol, Mary. Attended St. Ferdinand Grammar School, Notre Dame High for Girls (nursing aide job).
• Relationships: Married investment banker John Murphy (1988–2006; met post-SNL rejection). No children; child-free by choice.
• Post-Film: Created Life with Bonnie (2002–2004, Emmy nom); voiced in Cars (2006–2017). Recent: Red One (2024, Mrs. Claus); Monsters at Work S2 (2024 Disney+).

Patricia Clarkson as Melinda Moores

• Role: Melinda, the warden’s devoted wife battling terminal brain cancer, whose healing by Coffey deepens the guards’ crisis of conscience. Clarkson’s “graceful invalid” infuses quiet power.
• Net Worth: $3 million.
• Height: 5’3″ (1.60 m).
• Family: Born December 29, 1959, in New Orleans, Louisiana, to politician Jackie Clarkson and administrator Arthur “Buzz” Clarkson. Siblings: four sisters. Attended O. Perry Walker High, LSU (speech pathology), Fordham (acting), Yale School of Drama (MFA).
• Relationships: Single.
• Post-Film: Emmy wins for Six Feet Under (2002, 2006); Sharp Objects (2018). Recent: No Sudden Move (2021); Maestro (2023); The Friend (2025).

Harry Dean Stanton as Toot-Toot

• Role: Toot-Toot, the eccentric, moonshine-sipping inmate offering comic relief and folksy wisdom. Stanton’s “rumpled rascal” adds wry levity; ~10-minute arc.
• Net Worth: $10 million (at death).
• Height: 5’8″ (1.73 m).
• Family: Born July 14, 1926, in West Irvine, Kentucky, to cook Ersel Moberly and barber/tobacco farmer Sheridan Harry Stanton. Siblings: three younger brothers (Archie, Ralph, Stan). Attended University of Kentucky (journalism/radio arts).
• Relationships: Dated Rebecca De Mornay (1981–1987; met on One from the Heart). Never married; no children.
• Post-Film: Lucky (2017 lead); Paris, Texas (1984). Recent: Frank & Ava (2018); died September 15, 2017, from natural causes.

Additional Notes

• Salaries: Hanks commanded $20 million (escalating from Forrest Gump fame); Duncan ~$1 million (breakout); ensemble ~$500,000–$2 million. The $60 million budget covered practical sets (e.g., electric chair effects), period authenticity, and Newman’s score. DVD sales (10M+ units, $150M+) and residuals from HBO/Max syndication add ongoing revenue.
• Casting Insights: Darabont sought grounded authenticity; Hanks (43) embodied Paul after Saving Private Ryan acclaim, beating contenders like Kevin Costner. Duncan (41, bouncer-turned-actor) won Coffey via Bruce Willis’ endorsement post-Armageddon. Morse (45) and Cromwell (59) brought theater gravitas; Jeter (46) channeled vulnerability. Boot camp included execution simulations for emotional realism.
• Impact and Legacy: A box-office miracle, it boosted King’s screen cred post-Shawshank (Darabont’s prior hit) and elevated Duncan to icon status. Fans on Reddit/X cherish its empathy amid injustice but debate runtime; 78% RT score highlights emotional heft. Influenced Just Mercy (2019); streaming on Max revives discussions on capital punishment.
• Post-Film Careers: Hanks dominates A-list; Morse/Greene sustain TV/film; Hunt/Clarkson excel in voice/prestige work. Tragedies (Duncan, Jeter, Stanton, Greene) underscore fragility; bonds endure via memorials (e.g., 2024 Duncan tribute).
• Cultural Influence: Revived Depression-era tales post-O Brother (2000), with Coffey’s “I’s tired, boss” a meme staple (100M+ TikTok uses). Diversity milestone (Duncan’s nom, Greene’s Indigenous rep) praised, though X critiques racial tropes. Soundtrack trended; 25th anniversary (2024) screenings trended globally.

Conclusion

The Green Mile’s luminous ensemble, propelled by Hanks’ introspective Paul and Duncan’s transcendent Coffey, transmutes King’s prison parable into a timeless meditation on mercy and mortality.

Net worths from $500,000 (Hutchison) to $400 million (Hanks) delineate arcs from indie grit to blockbuster benevolence.

Intimate vignettes—from Morse’s quake-relocated hearth to Clarkson’s NOLA lineage—harmonize with the film’s redemptive pulse.

Its earnings tempest, award cascade, and ethical afterglow endure as a cinematic salve, where every step on the Mile leads to grace.