Bradley Whitford, Cherry Jones Cast in Upcoming Hank Williams Movie
The Hank Williams biopic I Saw the Light has added The West Wing actor Bradley Whitford and fellow Emmy-winner Cherry Jones to its cast.
Whitford will play iconic songwriter and music publisher Fred Rose, who co-wrote with Williams such classic tunes as “Kaw-Liga” and “I’ll Never Get Out of This World Alive.” He also penned numerous songs recorded by other artists including the Willie Nelson hit, “Blue Eyes Crying in the Rain” and “Deed I Do,” by Sophie Tucker. With entertainer Roy Acuff, Rose formed Acuff-Rose, one of the most successful music publishing companies of all time. He was inducted, along with Williams and Jimmie Rodgers as one of the first members of the Country Music Hall of Fame in 1961.
Jones, who won an Emmy portraying the president on the drama series, 24, will play Williams’ mother, Jessie Lillybelle “Lillie” Skipper Williams. The actors join previously announced cast members Tom Hiddleston as Williams, Elizabeth Olsen as Hank’s first wife, Audrey, and Wrenn Schmidt as Bobbie Jett, who gave birth to the singer’s daughter, Antha Belle Jett (who now goes by Jett Williams), just five days after his death on New Year’s Day 1953.
David Krumholtz, Josh Pais and James DuMont also appear in the film, which is currently in production in Louisiana. Rodney Crowell is serving as musical director.