Cecilia is the 18-year-old daughter of influential Hollywood producer Pat Brady. Raised within the picture industry, she possesses a grounded and perceptive understanding of the superficial Hollywood environment. She attends Bennington College but frequently visits the studio, harboring a deep and persistent romantic interest in her father's business partner, Monroe Stahr.

Monroe Stahr is a brilliant film producer and studio executive. Despite his lack of formal education, his meticulous attention to detail and artistic dedication make him the guiding force of the studio. He hides a declining health condition and buries himself in his demanding workload to escape the profound grief of losing his wife, Minna.

Pat Brady is a 47-year-old Hollywood studio executive and Cecilia's father. Driven by profit rather than artistic merit, he relies on shrewdness and luck to maintain his standing in the cutthroat film industry. He partners with Monroe Stahr, though their differing approaches to filmmaking create mounting professional friction.

Kathleen is an enigmatic young woman who captivates Monroe Stahr due to her uncanny physical resemblance to his late wife. She maintains a guarded demeanor, initially refusing to reveal her name or personal details. Her presence introduces a disruptive romantic tension into Stahr's highly controlled life.

Wylie is an intellectual screenwriter working within the Hollywood studio system. He possesses a pragmatic and sometimes cynical view of the film industry, openly admitting his interest in Cecilia stems partly from her father's wealth and influence. He frequently attends studio conferences and social events.

Mr. Schwartz is a defeated Hollywood producer who travels with Wylie White. He exhibits severe emotional distress and a deep sense of professional inadequacy when comparing himself to successful figures like Monroe Stahr.

Minna is Monroe Stahr's late wife, whose passing leaves a profound void in his life. Her memory heavily influences Stahr's actions and his intense attraction to Kathleen Moore.

Miss Doolan is Monroe Stahr's highly efficient secretary. She manages his complex schedule and tracks down individuals at his request, serving as a strict gatekeeper to his office.

Edna is a young woman who survives the studio flood. Stahr briefly pursues her, mistakenly believing she is the woman who resembles his late wife, before she introduces him to Kathleen.

Brimmer is a Communist Party organizer from New York. He possesses strong political convictions and meets with studio executives to discuss the Writers' Guild and labor issues in the film industry.

Pete is a studio cameraman who experiences severe emotional distress under the pressures of the Hollywood system. He expresses deep gratitude to Stahr for his intervention and support.

Boxley is an English writer hired by the studio. He struggles to adapt his literary style to the collaborative mass-production formatting required for screenplays.

Prince Agge is a royal visitor from Denmark who observes the inner workings of the film industry. He shadows Stahr and attends lunches with studio executives.

Robby is a skilled studio cutter with a background in telephone line repair. His mechanical expertise makes him a reliable asset during studio emergencies.

Martha is an unemployed actress who once enjoyed affluence in Hollywood. She shares her struggles with Cecilia, illustrating the unforgiving nature of the entertainment business.

Birdy is Pat Brady's secretary. Her involvement with her employer reveals the unprofessional and secretive behaviors common among studio executives.

Dr. Baer is Stahr's physician. He monitors Stahr's heart ailment and strongly advises him to reduce his intense workload.