Sling Blade Cast
Meet the Cast
Karl (Billy Bob Thornton)
Mental PatienceKarl Childers is a mentally challenged, limping murderer with terrible hair. You know, your typical Hollywood protagonist. Okay, he's far from typical, but he does have one character...
Frank Wheatley (Lucas Black)
Big Brother Frank is the baby brother Karl never had. Well, to be more accurate, Frank is the baby brother Karl may have had if he hadn't buried his real baby brother alive in a shoebox in the back...
Doyle Hargreaves (Dwight Yoakam)
Suspicious Minds Imagine if Sling Blade were told from Doyle's perspective. What would his backstory be? Why does he push Linda away only to return to her? Why does he say he loves her one moment b...
Linda Wheatley (Natalie Canerday)
Southern Fried MommaWe're fond of the phrase "You are what you eat." That makes us about seven cups of coffee washed down with a half-cooked frozen pizza. And it makes Frank's mom, Linda, a woman w...
Vaughan Cunningham (John Ritter)
Rainbow ConnectionVaughan is a gay man in Arkansas, which means he might as well be a Muppet at an Insane Clown Posse concert. The film is set in a vague "present day," which would put it in the mi...
Karl's Dad (Robert Duvall)
Daddy DearestThe entirety of Karl's dad's on-screen time can be squeezed into one brief YouTube video, but his effect on his son's life colors the entire movie. Dad's parenting style is summed up b...
Charles Bushman (J. T. Walsh)
So He CreepsCharles Bushman is a guy we only see briefly at the very beginning and very end of the movie. He's like the world's creepiest pair of bookends. We only know his name from the credits, s...
Jerry Woolridge (James Hampton)
Mr. DeedsJerry is the administrator of the mental hospital, but he appears to care for a Karl in a way that exceeds his typical duties. Jerry helps Karl find work and a place to stay and even check...
Melinda (Christy Ward)
Price TagMelinda is a character who only appears briefly as a comic relief and love interest for Karl. What's her big passion in life? Getting Employee of the Month at the dollar store. We'll let h...
Bill Cox and Scooter (Rick Dial and Brent Briscoe)
Lawnmower ManBill Cox is the first person in the real world to extend kindness to Karl. He and his employee, Scooter, welcome Karl into their repair shop. Cox pays Karl and gives him a room in exch...
Marsha Dwiggins (Sarah Boss)
Associated PressMarsha Dwiggins, the college student doing a report on Karl, is nothing more than a plot device to set up our story. She's more of a character in the short film the movie is based o...