James Stewart plays Linus Rawlings, Debbie Reynolds plays Lilith Prescott, and John Wayne plays General William T. Sherman in the 1962 epic Western ‘How the West Was Won‘.
Main cast
- Linus RawlingsJames StewartMain
- Lilith PrescottDebbie ReynoldsMain
- Gen. William T. ShermanJohn WayneMain
- Jethro StuartHenry FondaMain
- Cleve Van ValenGregory PeckMain
- Eve PrescottCarroll BakerMain
- Zebulon PrescottKarl MaldenMain
- Rebecca PrescottAgnes MooreheadMain
- Roger MorganRobert PrestonMain
- Mike KingRichard WidmarkMain
Supporting cast
- MarthaThelma RitterSupp
- PetersonEli WallachSupp
- Dora HawkinsLee J. CobbSupp
- GabeGeorge PeppardSupp
- SamAndy DevineSupp
- SheriffWalter BrennanSupp
Guest & voice
- Buffalo Bill CodyDavid BrianGuest
- President Ulysses S. GrantJames GriffithGuest
- Col. HawkinsRaymond MasseyGuest
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About this cast
The 1962 epic Western ‘How the West Was Won’ features a star-studded ensemble cast across its three interconnected stories. The film follows the migration and settlement of the American West, with characters ranging from pioneers and trappers to soldiers and showgirls.
FAQs
Who plays Linus Rawlings in How the West Was Won?
James Stewart plays Linus Rawlings, a fur trapper and adventurer.
Who plays Lilith Prescott in How the West Was Won?
Debbie Reynolds plays Lilith Prescott, a saloon dancer and entertainer.
Who plays General Sherman in How the West Was Won?
John Wayne plays General William T. Sherman in a cameo appearance.
How many major stars appear in How the West Was Won?
The film features an all-star cast including James Stewart, John Wayne, Henry Fonda, Gregory Peck, Debbie Reynolds, Carroll Baker, Karl Malden, Agnes Moorehead, and many others.
Is How the West Was Won a TV series or a film?
It is a 1962 epic Western film directed by John Ford, Henry Hathaway, and George Marshall.
Sources & where to watch: IMDb · Wikipedia · Where to watch (JustWatch UK) · Updated June 2026