Only When I Laugh_
"It'll make you laugh...'til you cry."
A boozy Broadway actress comes out of a 12-week cure to face the problems of her best friends as well as her needy daughter. She tries to balance the terrors of returning to work with the demands of all around her with humor and insight, while staying off the booze.
Starring
Marsha Mason, Kristy McNichol, James Coco
Updated Feb 16, 2026
WHERE TO WATCH
Apple TV
10 countries
Prime Video
10 countries
G
Google Play
4 countries
YouTube
3 countries
DROPTHE_ GOSSIP
Year context
Only When I Laugh was released 45 years ago in 1981.
Overview
A boozy Broadway actress comes out of a 12-week cure to face the problems of her best friends as well as her needy daughter. She tries to balance the terrors...
Only When I Laugh is a Comedy, Drama film with a runtime of 2h 0m.
CAST (20)
Marsha Mason
Georgia
Kristy McNichol
Polly
James Coco
Jimmy
Joan Hackett
Toby
David Dukes
David
John Bennett Perry
Actor (Lou)
Guy Boyd
Man in Bar
EM
Ed Moore
Dr. Komack
Byron Webster
Tom
Peter Coffield
Mr. Tarloff
Mark Schubb
Adam Kasabian
NN
Nancy Nagler
Heidi
Dan Monahan
Jason
EL
Ellen La Gamba
Receptionist
MA
Michael A. Ross
Paul
Venida Evans
Nurse Garcia
TO
Tom Ormeny
Kyle
KW
Ken Weisbrath
Waiter
JA
Jane Atkins
Doreen
HO
Henry Olek
George De Vane
DETAILS
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
What is Only When I Laugh about?
A boozy Broadway actress comes out of a 12-week cure to face the problems of her best friends as well as her needy daughter. She tries to balance the terrors of returning to work with the demands of all around her with humor and insight, while staying off the booze.
How long is Only When I Laugh?
Only When I Laugh has a runtime of 120 minutes (2h 0m).
Who stars in Only When I Laugh?
The cast of Only When I Laugh includes Marsha Mason, Kristy McNichol, James Coco, Joan Hackett, David Dukes.
What is the rating of Only When I Laugh?
Only When I Laugh has a rating of 5.7 out of 10 based on 20 votes on TMDB.
GENRES (2)
Comedy
Drama