Defending Your Life
- Romance
- Fantasy
- Comedy
- Drama
Is there love after death? After he dies suddenly, the hapless advertising executive Daniel Miller finds himself in Judgment City, a gleaming way station where the newly deceased must prove they lived a life of sufficient courage to advance in their journey through the universe. As the self-doubting Daniel struggles to make his case, a budding relationship with the uninhibited Julia offers him a chance to finally feel alive.
Cast
Albert Brooks
Daniel Miller
Meryl Streep
Julia
Rip Torn
Bob Diamond
Lee Grant
Lena Foster
Michael Durrell
Agency Head
James Eckhouse
Jeep Owner
Gary Beach
Car Salesman
Julie Cobb
Tram Guide
- Peter Schuck
Peter Schuck
Stan
Time Winters
Porter
- Sharlie Stuart
Sharlie Stuart
Susan
- Beth Black
Beth Black
Soap Opera Woman
Clayton Norcross
Soap Opera Man
Jim McKrell
Game Show Moderator
- Wil Albert
Wil Albert
Game Show Contestant
Sage Allen
Game Show Contestant
Mary Pat Gleason
Waitress
Maxine Elliott Hicks
Elderly Woman on Tram
- Marilyn Rockafellow
Marilyn Rockafellow
Helen
- Roger Behr
Roger Behr
Comedian
- Art Frankel
Art Frankel
Arthur
- Ernie Brown
Ernie Brown
Ernie
George D. Wallace
Daniel's Judge
- Lillian Lehman
Lillian Lehman
Daniel's Judge
Raffi Di Blasio
Daniel as a Boy
- Kristopher Kent Hill
Kristopher Kent Hill
Bully
- Eric Ehasz
Eric Ehasz
Child in Schoolyard
- Matthew Scharch
Matthew Scharch
Daniel as an Infant
S. Scott Bullock
Daniel's Father
- Carol Bivins
Carol Bivins
Daniel's Mother
Ethan Embry
Steve
Gary Ballard
Mr. Wadworth
- Mary Mukogawa
Mary Mukogawa
Sushi Hostess
- Toshio Shikami
Toshio Shikami
Head Sushi Chef
- Samee Park
Samee Park
Sushi Chef
- Kagko Shikami
Kagko Shikami
Sushi Chef
- Tommy Inouye
Tommy Inouye
Sushi Chef
- Ken Thorley
Ken Thorley
Frank
- Bob Braun
Bob Braun
Talk Show Host
- Jennifer Barlow Grodsky
Jennifer Barlow Grodsky
Talk Show Guest
Buck Henry
Dick Stanley
Joey Miyashima
Casio Tipster
- Nurit Koppel
Nurit Koppel
Daniel's Date
Susan Walters
Daniel's Wife
- Sidney Chankin
Sidney Chankin
Used Car Salesman
Greg Finley
Used Car Salesman
- Leonard O. Turner
Leonard O. Turner
Sam
- Clifford Einstein
Clifford Einstein
Julia's Prosecutor
- Rachel Bard
Rachel Bard
Julia's Judge
Newell Alexander
Julia's Judge
Shirley MacLaine
Shirley MacLaine
Hal Landon Jr.
Man in Past Lives Pavilion
- Ida Lee
Ida Lee
Woman in Past Lives Pavilion
Noley Thornton
Victorian Girl
Glen Chin
Sumo Wrestler
- James Ekim
James Ekim
Native
- Clarke Coleman
Clarke Coleman
Knight
- Ronald L. Colby
Ronald L. Colby
Majestic Doorman
David Purdham
Peter
James Paradise
Stage Manager
- Jerry Prell
Jerry Prell
Banquet Manager
- Arell Blanton
Arell Blanton
Fire Marshall
- Shana Ballard
Shana Ballard
Julia's Daughter
- Chris Macris
Chris Macris
Julia's Son
- Joseph Darrell
Joseph Darrell
Maitre d'
- James Manis
James Manis
Eduardo
- Alex Sheafe
Alex Sheafe
Martin
- Cathleen Chin
Cathleen Chin
Ticket Counter Agent
- Lisa Sears
Lisa Sears
Tram Port Attendant
- Mark Dunlap
Mark Dunlap
Tram Port Attendant
- Vernon Roguen
Vernon Roguen
Tram Port Attendant
- Dennis Germain
Dennis Germain
Tram Driver
- Jorga Caye
Jorga Caye
Deceased Lady (uncredited)
- Robert Gatewood
Robert Gatewood
Afterlife Traveler (uncredited)
- John Michael Quinn
John Michael Quinn
Man in Heaven (uncredited)
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