In the early 1900s, the fictional Catfish Row section of Charleston, South Carolina serves as home to a black fishing community. Crippled beggar Porgy, who travels about in a goat-drawn cart, loves the drug-addicted Bess, who lives with stevedore Crown, the local bully.
| Actor | Role |
|---|---|
 Sidney PoitierPorgy | Porgy |
 Dorothy DandridgeBess | Bess |
 Sammy Davis Jr.Sportin' Life | Sportin' Life |
 Pearl BaileyMaria | Maria |
 Brock PetersCrowne | Crowne |
 Diahann CarrollClara | Clara |
 Leslie ScottJake | Jake |
 Ruth AttawaySerena Robbins | Serena Robbins |
 Claude AkinsDetective | Detective |
 Clarence MusePeter | Peter |
| EEverdinne WilsonAnnie | Annie |
 Ivan DixonJim | Jim |
 Scatman CrothersCrabman | Crabman |
 Maya AngelouDancer | Dancer |
 Nichelle NicholsDancer | Dancer |