The Butler (full title
Lee Daniels' The Butler) is a 2013 American
historical drama film directed and produced by
Lee Daniels and written by
Danny Strong. Loosely based on the real life of
Eugene Allen, the film stars
Forest Whitaker as Cecil Gaines, an
African-American who is a witness of notable political and social events of the 20th century during his 34-year tenure serving as a
White House butler. In addition to Whitaker, the film's all-star cast also features
Oprah Winfrey,
John Cusack,
Jane Fonda,
Cuba Gooding, Jr.,
Terrence Howard,
Lenny Kravitz,
James Marsden,
David Oyelowo,
Vanessa Redgrave,
Alan Rickman,
Liev Schreiber,
Robin Williams, and
Clarence Williams III. It was the last film produced by
Laura Ziskin, who died in 2011.