The Butler(2013)
“One quiet voice can ignite a revolution.”
Overview
Cecil Gaines was a sharecropper's son who grew up in the 1920s as a domestic servant for the white family who casually destroyed his. Eventually striking out on his own, Cecil becomes a hotel valet of such efficiency and discreteness in the 1950s that he becomes a butler in the White House itself. There, Cecil would serve numerous US Presidents over the decades as a passive witness of history with the American Civil Rights Movement gaining momentum even as his family has troubles of its own. As his wife, Gloria, struggles with alcoholism and his defiant eldest son, Louis, strives for a just world, Cecil must decide whether he should take action in his own way.
Director
Lee Daniels
Studio
Follow Through Productions
Budget
$25M
Revenue
$177M
Cast
Forest Whitaker
as Cecil Gaines
Oprah Winfrey
as Gloria Gaines
David Oyelowo
as Louis Gaines
John Cusack
as Richard Nixon
Jane Fonda
as Nancy Reagan
Cuba Gooding Jr.
as Carter Wilson
Mariah Carey
as Hattie Pearl
Terrence Howard
as Howard
Lenny Kravitz
as James Holloway
Aml Ameen
as Cecil Gaines (15)
Michael Rainey Jr.
as Cecil Gaines (8)
James Marsden
as John F. Kennedy
Where to Watch
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Movie Facts
Release Year
2013
Runtime
2h 12m
Language
English
Rating
7.3 / 10
Budget
$25M
Box Office
$177M
Production Companies
Follow Through Productions • Salamander Pictures • Laura Ziskin Productions
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Frequently Asked Questions
Where can I watch The Butler?▼
Check the "Where to Watch" section above for current streaming platforms, rental options, and purchase links for The Butler (2013).
What is The Butler about?▼
Cecil Gaines was a sharecropper's son who grew up in the 1920s as a domestic servant for the white family who casually destroyed his. Eventually striking out on his own, Cecil becomes a hotel valet of such efficiency and discreteness in the 1950s that he becomes a butler in the White House itself. There, Cecil would serve numerous US Presidents over the decades as a passive witness of history with the American Civil Rights Movement gaining momentum even as his family has troubles of its own. As his wife, Gloria, struggles with alcoholism and his defiant eldest son, Louis, strives for a just world, Cecil must decide whether he should take action in his own way.
Who directed The Butler?▼
The Butler was directed by Lee Daniels and released in 2013. It is a drama film.
How long is The Butler?▼
The Butler has a runtime of 2 hours and 12 minutes (132 minutes total).
Who stars in The Butler?▼
The cast of The Butler includes Forest Whitaker as Cecil Gaines, Oprah Winfrey as Gloria Gaines, David Oyelowo as Louis Gaines, John Cusack as Richard Nixon, Jane Fonda as Nancy Reagan and more.
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