Denzel Washington stars as drug lord Frank Lucas, Russell Crowe as detective Richie Roberts, and Chiwetel Ejiofor as Frank’s brother Huey Lucas in Ridley Scott’s crime drama American Gangster.
Main cast
- Frank LucasDenzel WashingtonMain
- Richie RobertsRussell CroweMain
- Huey LucasChiwetel EjioforMain
Supporting cast
- Detective TrupoJosh BrolinSupp
- EvaLymari NadalSupp
- Nicky BarnesCuba Gooding Jr.Supp
- Lou TobackTed LevineSupp
- Dominick CattanoArmand AssanteSupp
- Ellie RobertsCarla GuginoSupp
- Moses JonesRZASupp
Guest & voice
- TangoJohn OrtizGuest
- Detective AlvarezRoger Guenveur SmithGuest
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About this cast
Ridley Scott’s American Gangster (2007) is a gripping crime drama based on the true story of Harlem heroin kingpin Frank Lucas and the determined NYPD detective who brought him down. The film stars Denzel Washington and Russell Crowe in a cat-and-mouse narrative spanning the late 1960s and 1970s.
FAQs
Who plays Frank Lucas in American Gangster?
Denzel Washington portrays the real-life heroin trafficker Frank Lucas in the film.
Who plays Richie Roberts in American Gangster?
Russell Crowe plays Richie Roberts, the honest Newark detective who eventually arrests Lucas.
Is American Gangster based on a true story?
Yes, the film is based on the true story of Frank Lucas and Richie Roberts, though some details are fictionalised.
Who plays Huey Lucas in American Gangster?
Chiwetel Ejiofor plays Frank Lucas’s brother Huey, who helps run the heroin operation.
Who directed American Gangster?
The film was directed by Sir Ridley Scott.
Sources & where to watch: IMDb · Wikipedia · Where to watch (JustWatch UK) · Updated June 2026