Once Upon a Time… in Hollywood, released in 2019, is a film written and directed by Quentin Tarantino. Set in Los Angeles during the summer of 1969, it follows Rick Dalton, a fading television Western star, and his longtime stunt double Cliff Booth as they navigate a rapidly changing industry. The film is notable for its sprawling ensemble cast, which mixes entirely fictional characters with real historical figures from late‑1960s Hollywood, including Sharon Tate, Charles Manson, and Bruce Lee.
Tarantino’s revisionist approach reimagines the notorious Manson Family murders, allowing his fictional leads to intersect with real events and people. The result is a layered, character‑driven story that has drawn attention for both its casting choices and its blending of fact with alternate‑history fiction. Below is a detailed breakdown of the cast, the characters they portray, and the historical accuracy behind them.
Who Are the Main Cast Members of Once Upon a Time… in Hollywood?
Leonardo DiCaprio as Rick Dalton, Brad Pitt as Cliff Booth, Margot Robbie as Sharon Tate
Charles Manson (Damon Herriman), Bruce Lee (Mike Moh), Jay Sebring (Emile Hirsch), Sharon Tate (Margot Robbie)
Margaret Qualley as Pussycat, Sydney Sweeney as Snake, Austin Butler as Tex, and many others
Quentin Tarantino
- The film blends fictional characters (Rick Dalton, Cliff Booth) with real Hollywood figures from 1969.
- Margot Robbie portrays Sharon Tate, the real‑life actress murdered by the Manson Family.
- Damon Herriman appears as Charles Manson, having previously played the same role in the series Mindhunter.
- Mike Moh trained specifically to replicate Bruce Lee’s mannerisms and fighting style.
- Many supporting roles were cast for actors known for strong screen presence in limited screen time.
| Character | Actor | Role Type |
|---|---|---|
| Rick Dalton | Leonardo DiCaprio | Fictional leading man |
| Cliff Booth | Brad Pitt | Fictional stunt double |
| Sharon Tate | Margot Robbie | Historical figure |
| Charles Manson | Damon Herriman | Historical figure |
| Bruce Lee | Mike Moh | Historical figure |
| Jay Sebring | Emile Hirsch | Historical figure |
| Pussycat | Margaret Qualley | Fictional Manson follower |
| Snake | Sydney Sweeney | Fictional Manson follower |
| Tex | Austin Butler | Fictional Manson follower |
Which Historical Figures Are Portrayed in the Film?
Sharon Tate
Margot Robbie plays Sharon Tate, the actress and wife of director Roman Polanski. Tate was murdered by the Manson Family in August 1969. The film focuses on her daily life as a neighbour of Rick Dalton, rather than her death.
Charles Manson
Damon Herriman portrays Charles Manson, the cult leader behind the Tate‑LaBianca murders. Herriman had earlier played Manson in the Netflix series Mindhunter. His appearance in this film is brief but pivotal.
Bruce Lee
Mike Moh appears as Bruce Lee, the martial‑arts icon who trained Sharon Tate in real life. Moh’s performance has been debated for its portrayal of Lee’s character, but Tarantino has defended the scene as fiction.
Jay Sebring
Emile Hirsch plays Jay Sebring, a renowned hairstylist and close friend of Sharon Tate. Sebring was also killed during the Manson Family murders. Hirsch’s performance captures Sebring’s easy‑going Hollywood charm.
While many characters are based on real people, their interactions with fictional leads Rick Dalton and Cliff Booth are invented. The film presents an alternate timeline in which the Manson Family murders are prevented.
Other historical figures portrayed include Roman Polanski (Rafal Zawierucha), Steve McQueen (Damian Lewis), George Spahn (Bruce Dern), Abigail Folger (Samantha Robinson), and Wojciech Frykowski (Costa Ronin). A complete list can be found on the film’s IMDb page.
Who Else Appears in the Supporting Cast?
Julia Butters as Trudi Fraser
Julia Butters plays Trudi Fraser, a talented young actress working on the set of Rick Dalton’s television show. Her performance was widely praised and earned her significant attention.
Margaret Qualley as Pussycat and Austin Butler as Tex
Margaret Qualley appears as Pussycat, a follower of the Manson Family who befriends Cliff Booth. Austin Butler plays Tex, another Manson follower, whose fictionalised fate is part of the film’s alternate ending.
Sydney Sweeney and Other Manson Family Members
Sydney Sweeney plays Snake, one of several portrayals of Manson Family members. The film features an extensive group of actors in these roles: Madisen Beaty (Katie), Mikey Madison (Sadie), James Landry Hébert (Clem), Maya Hawke (Flowerchild), Victoria Pedretti (Lulu), and many others including Harley Quinn Smith, Kansas Bowling, and Parker Love Bowling.
Tarantino deliberately cast lesser‑known actors for the Manson Family roles to avoid the distraction of celebrity familiarity, allowing the cult members to feel more real and unsettling.
The supporting cast also includes Al Pacino as Marvin Schwarz, Rick Dalton’s agent; Luke Perry as Wayne Maunder; Damian Lewis as Steve McQueen; and Timothy Olyphant as James Stacy. Kurt Russell plays narrator Randy Miller. For the full list, see the Wikipedia article.
Is Once Upon a Time in Hollywood Available on Netflix?
As of 2025, Once Upon a Time… in Hollywood is not currently available on Netflix in most regions. The film became available on streaming platforms shortly after its theatrical release in 2019, but licensing changes frequently. It can be rented or purchased on services such as Amazon Prime Video, Apple TV, and Google Play. For the most up‑to‑date availability, check your local platform.
Streaming rights differ between countries. While the film may appear on Netflix in some territories, a permanent global listing does not exist. Always verify through a regional search or the Sony Pictures official site.
When Were the Key Casting Announcements Made?
- July 2017: Quentin Tarantino announces the film and begins casting.
- February 2018: Leonardo DiCaprio cast as Rick Dalton.
- March 2018: Brad Pitt confirmed as Cliff Booth.
- May 2018: Margot Robbie cast as Sharon Tate.
- June–July 2018: Supporting cast announced (Emile Hirsch, Margaret Qualley, Austin Butler, and others).
- January 2019: First trailer released; full cast revealed.
- May 2019: Premiere at the Cannes Film Festival.
- July 26, 2019: Theatrical release in the United States.
What Is Historically Accurate and What Is Fictional?
| Established Information | Information That Remains Unclear or Fictional |
|---|---|
| Sharon Tate was a real actress murdered by the Manson Family in 1969. | Rick Dalton and Cliff Booth are entirely fictional characters. |
| Charles Manson was the cult leader responsible for the murders. | The film depicts an alternate timeline where the murders are prevented – this is fictional. |
| Bruce Lee was a real martial artist who knew Sharon Tate. | Interactions between Dalton/Booth and real figures are invented for the story. |
| Jay Sebring was a real hairstylist and friend of Tate. | The exact nature of the relationship between Booth and Pussycat is fictional. |
Why Did Quentin Tarantino Blend Real and Fictional Characters?
Tarantino cast top Hollywood stars such as Leonardo DiCaprio and Brad Pitt to ground the fictional narrative with commercial appeal while also paying homage to the era’s movie industry. By casting lesser‑known performers for the Manson Family members, he avoided the distraction of celebrity faces, adding authenticity to the cult’s portrayal. The mix of fact and fiction serves the film’s revisionist history theme, a hallmark of Tarantino’s work seen also in Inglourious Basterds and Django Unchained. Mike Moh’s performance as Bruce Lee sparked debate over the accuracy of the portrayal, yet Tarantino has maintained that the scene is intentionally exaggerated for dramatic effect.
What Did the Cast and Director Say About Their Roles?
“He was the only person I saw for Rick Dalton.”
“I wanted to honor him and show his charisma.”
“I wanted to show who she was, not just how she died.”
Where to Watch and What to Watch Next
Once Upon a Time… in Hollywood is available for streaming on various platforms depending on your region. Fans of Tarantino’s revisionist style might enjoy Inglourious Basterds and Django Unchained. For a broader list of acclaimed films, see our article on Best Movies of All Time: IMDb Top 250, RT 300 & AFI Lists. Also, read our cast guide for Back to Black Movie: Reviews, Accuracy, Cast Guide.
Frequently Asked Questions
Who is the director of Once Upon a Time in Hollywood?
The film is directed by Quentin Tarantino.
Who plays the little girl in Once Upon a Time in Hollywood?
Julia Butters plays Trudi Fraser, a young actress working on Rick Dalton’s show.
What role does Sydney Sweeney play in Once Upon a Time in Hollywood?
Sydney Sweeney plays “Snake”, a member of the Manson Family.
Is Once Upon a Time in Hollywood based on a true story?
It is a fictional story set against the real backdrop of 1969 Hollywood and the Manson murders, with several real historical figures appearing as characters.
Who plays Bruce Lee in the film?
Mike Moh portrays Bruce Lee.
Does Brad Pitt’s character Cliff Booth survive?
Yes, Cliff Booth survives the film’s alternate ending.
What is the rating of the film?
The film is rated R for strong violence, language, sexual content, and drug use.
Who plays Charles Manson in Once Upon a Time in Hollywood?
Damon Herriman plays Charles Manson.
Was the film nominated for Oscars?
Yes, it received 10 Academy Award nominations, including Best Picture, and won two: Best Supporting Actor for Brad Pitt and Best Production Design.
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Dominic Shaw covers the economy, business, markets and consumer affairs for UKBullet.uk.