Watch Now
Download
Defending Your Life

Defending Your Life

The first true story of what happens after you die.
Mar 22, 19911h 52minUS
6.9
263 votes

Synopsis

Is there love after death? After he dies suddenly, the hapless advertising executive Daniel Miller finds himself in Judgment City, a gleaming way station where the newly deceased must prove they lived a life of sufficient courage to advance in their journey through the universe. As the self-doubting Daniel struggles to make his case, a budding relationship with the uninhibited Julia offers him a chance to finally feel alive.

TitleDefending Your Life
RealesedMar 22, 1991
WriterPaul Slansky
DirectorAlbert Brooks
CountryUnited States of America
CompaniesGeffen Pictures
Albert Brooks

Albert Brooks

Daniel Miller
Meryl Streep

Meryl Streep

Julia
Rip Torn

Rip Torn

Bob Diamond
Lee Grant

Lee Grant

Lena Foster
Michael Durrell

Michael Durrell

Agency Head
James Eckhouse

James Eckhouse

Jeep Owner
Gary Beach

Gary Beach

Car Salesman
Julie Cobb

Julie Cobb

Tram Guide
Peter Schuck

Peter Schuck

Stan
Time Winters

Time Winters

Porter
Sharlie Stuart

Sharlie Stuart

Susan
Beth Black

Beth Black

Soap Opera Woman
Clayton Norcross

Clayton Norcross

Soap Opera Man
Jim McKrell

Jim McKrell

Game Show Moderator
Wil Albert

Wil Albert

Game Show Contestant
Sage Allen

Sage Allen

Game Show Contestant
Mary Pat Gleason

Mary Pat Gleason

Waitress
Maxine Elliott Hicks

Maxine Elliott Hicks

Elderly Woman on Tram
Marilyn Rockafellow

Marilyn Rockafellow

Helen
Roger Behr

Roger Behr

Comedian
Art Frankel

Art Frankel

Arthur
Ernie Brown

Ernie Brown

Ernie
George D. Wallace

George D. Wallace

Daniel's Judge
Lillian Lehman

Lillian Lehman

Daniel's Judge
Raffi Di Blasio

Raffi Di Blasio

Daniel as a Boy
Kristopher Kent Hill

Kristopher Kent Hill

Bully
Eric Ehasz

Eric Ehasz

Child in Schoolyard
Matthew Scharch

Matthew Scharch

Daniel as an Infant
S. Scott Bullock

S. Scott Bullock

Daniel's Father
Carol Bivins

Carol Bivins

Daniel's Mother
Ethan Embry

Ethan Embry

Steve
Gary Ballard

Gary Ballard

Mr. Wadworth
Mary Mukogawa

Mary Mukogawa

Sushi Hostess
Toshio Shikami

Toshio Shikami

Head Sushi Chef
Samee Park

Samee Park

Sushi Chef
Kagko Shikami

Kagko Shikami

Sushi Chef
Tommy Inouye

Tommy Inouye

Sushi Chef
Ken Thorley

Ken Thorley

Frank
Bob Braun

Bob Braun

Talk Show Host
Jennifer Barlow Grodsky

Jennifer Barlow Grodsky

Talk Show Guest
Buck Henry

Buck Henry

Dick Stanley
Joey Miyashima

Joey Miyashima

Casio Tipster
Nurit Koppel

Nurit Koppel

Daniel's Date
Susan Walters

Susan Walters

Daniel's Wife
Sidney Chankin

Sidney Chankin

Used Car Salesman
Greg Finley

Greg Finley

Used Car Salesman
Leonard O. Turner

Leonard O. Turner

Sam
Clifford Einstein

Clifford Einstein

Julia's Prosecutor
Rachel Bard

Rachel Bard

Julia's Judge
Newell Alexander

Newell Alexander

Julia's Judge
Shirley MacLaine

Shirley MacLaine

Shirley MacLaine
Hal Landon Jr.

Hal Landon Jr.

Man in Past Lives Pavilion
Ida Lee

Ida Lee

Woman in Past Lives Pavilion
Noley Thornton

Noley Thornton

Victorian Girl
Glen Chin

Glen Chin

Sumo Wrestler
James Ekim

James Ekim

Native
Clarke Coleman

Clarke Coleman

Knight
Ronald L. Colby

Ronald L. Colby

Majestic Doorman
David Purdham

David Purdham

Peter
James Paradise

James Paradise

Stage Manager
Jerry Prell

Jerry Prell

Banquet Manager
Arell Blanton

Arell Blanton

Fire Marshall
Shana Ballard

Shana Ballard

Julia's Daughter
Chris Macris

Chris Macris

Julia's Son
Joseph Darrell

Joseph Darrell

Maitre d'
James Manis

James Manis

Eduardo
Alex Sheafe

Alex Sheafe

Martin
Cathleen Chin

Cathleen Chin

Ticket Counter Agent
Lisa Sears

Lisa Sears

Tram Port Attendant
Mark Dunlap

Mark Dunlap

Tram Port Attendant
Vernon Roguen

Vernon Roguen

Tram Port Attendant
Dennis Germain

Dennis Germain

Tram Driver
Jorga Caye

Jorga Caye

Deceased Lady (uncredited)
Robert Gatewood

Robert Gatewood

Afterlife Traveler (uncredited)
John Michael Quinn

John Michael Quinn

Man in Heaven (uncredited)
Douglas M. Nelson

Douglas M. Nelson

Tram Attendee (uncredited)
Defending Your Life
Defending Your Life
Defending Your Life
Defending Your Life
Defending Your Life
Defending Your Life
Defending Your Life
Defending Your Life
Defending Your Life
Defending Your Life
Defending Your Life
Defending Your Life
Defending Your Life
Defending Your Life
Defending Your Life
Defending Your Life
Defending Your Life
Defending Your Life
Defending Your Life
Defending Your Life
Defending Your Life
Defending Your Life
Defending Your Life
Defending Your Life
Defending Your Life
Defending Your Life
Defending Your Life
Defending Your Life
Defending Your Life
Defending Your Life
Defending Your Life
Defending Your Life
Defending Your Life
Defending Your Life
Defending Your Life
Defending Your Life