“Born on the Fourth of July”, released in 1989, is a film that uncovers the life story of Ron Kovic, directed by Oliver Stone. The movie stars Tom Cruise as Ron Kovic, who transforms into an anti-war and pro-human rights political activist post his paralyzing experience in the Vietnam War. This article provides a glimpse into the filming locations, dates, and shares lesser-known facts about the film.
Where it Filmed?
The shooting of “Born on the Fourth of July” took place in various locations. Some of these include Philippines, Henderson Elementary School situated at South Edgefield Avenue, Elmwood, Oak Cliff, Dallas, Texas, USA, and Southern Methodist University located in Dyer Street, Dallas, Texas, USA. Some scenes were also shot in Waltham, Massachusetts, USA, and Elmwood, Oak Cliff, Dallas, Texas, USA. The filming activity occurred between 10th October 1988 to 14th December 1988.
Cast Details
| Cast Name | Role |
|---|---|
| Tom Cruise | Ron Kovic |
| Bryan Larkin | Young Ron |
| Raymond J. Barry | Mr. Kovic |
| Caroline Kava | Mrs. Kovic |
| Josh Evans | Tommy Kovic |
| Seth Allen | Young Tommy |
| Jamie Talisman | Jimmy Kovic |
| Sean Stone | Young Jimmy |
| Anne Bobby | Susanne Kovic |
| Jenna von Oÿ | Young Susanne |
| Samantha Larkin | Patty Kovic |
| Erika Geminder | Young Patty |
| Amanda Davis | Baby Patty |
| Kevin Harvey Morse | Jackie Kovic |
| John Getz | Marine Major |
| David Warshofsky | Lieutenant |
| Jason Gedrick | Martinez |
| Michael Compotaro | Wilson |
| Paul Abbott | Platoon |
| Bill Allen | Platoon |
| William Baldwin | Platoon |
| Claude Brooks | Platoon |
| Christopher W. Mills | Platoon |
| Byron Minns | Platoon |
| Ben Wright | Platoon |
| Markus Flanagan | Doctor |
| R.D. Call | Chaplain |
| John Falch | Corpsman |
| Dan Furnad | Corpsman |
| Fred Geise | Corpsman |
| Greg Hackbarth | Corpsman |
| Kyra Sedgwick | Donna |
| Jessica Prunell | Young Donna |
| Frank Whaley | Timmy |
| Jason Klein | Young Timmy |
| Jerry Levine | Steve Boyer |
| Lane R. Davis | Young Steve |
| Richard Panebianco | Joey Walsh |
| Rob Camilletti | Tommy Finnelli |
| J.R. Nutt | Young Tommy |
| Stephen Baldwin | Billy Vorsovich |
| Philip Amelio | Young Billy |
| Michael McTighe | Danny Fantozzi |
| Cody Beard | Young Danny |
| Ryan Beadle | Ballplayer |
| Harold Woloschin | Umpire |
| Richard Grusin | Coach |
| Tom Berenger | Recruiting Sergeant |
| Richard Haus | 2nd Recruiting Sergeant |
| Mel Allen | Mel Allen (voice) |
| Ed Lauter | Legion Commander |
| Liz Moore | Fat Lady at Parade |
| Sean McGraw | Young Donna’s Father |
| Oliver Stone | News Reporter |
| Dale Dye | Infantry Colonel |
| Norma Moore | Massapequa Mom |
| Stacey Moseley | Young Donna’s Friend |
| Mike Miller | Neighbor |
| Ellen Pasternack | Neighbor |
| Joy Zapata | Neighbor |
| Bob Tillotson | Truck Driver |
| Corkey Ford | Marvin |
| Rocky Carroll | Willie |
| Sami Chester | Aide #2 |
| Chris Pedersen | Aide #3 |
| Chris Walker | Aide #4 |
| Willie Minor | Eddie |
| David Herman | Patient #1 |
| Bruce MacVittie | Patient #2 |
| Damien Leake | Patient #3 |
| David Neidorf | Patient #4 |
| Paul Sanchez | Patient #5 |
| Richard Lubin | Patient #6 |
| Peter Benson | Patient #7 |
| Sergio Scognamiglio | Patient #8 |
| Billie Neal | Nurse Washington |
| Richard Poe | Frankie |
| Bob Gunton | Doctor #1 |
| Mark Moses | Optimistic Doctor |
| Abbie Hoffman | Strike Organizer |
| Jake Weber | Donna’s Boyfriend |
| Reg E. Cathey | Speaker |
| Edie Brickell | Folksinger |
| Keri Roebuck | Loudspeaker / Woman #1 |
| Geoff Garza | Young Radical |
| Willem Dafoe | Charlie |
| Tom Sizemore | Vet #1 |
| Michael Wincott | Vet #3 |
| Ivan Kane | Villa Vet |
| Ed Jupp Jr. | Villa Vet |
| Michael Sulsona | Villa Vet |
| Karen Newman | Whore |
| Edith Diaz | Madame |
| Anthony Pena | Bartender |
| Holly Marie Combs | Jenny |
| Mike Starr | Man #1 – Arthur’s Bar |
| Beau Starr | Man #2 |
| Rick Masters | Man #3 |
| John Del Regno | Friend #1 |
| Gale Mayron | Friend #2 |
| Lisa Barnes | Friend #3 |
| Tony Frank | Mr. Wilson |
| Jayne Haynes | Mrs. Wilson |
| Lili Taylor | Jamie Wilson |
| Elbert Lewis | Cab Driver |
| Peter Crombie | Undercover Vet |
| Ken Osborne | Paraplegic #2 |
| Alan Toy | Paraplegic #3 |
| Chuck Pfeiffer | Secret Service Agent |
| Frank Girardeau | Agent #1 |
| William Wallace | Agent #2 |
| Chip Moody | Television Anchor |
| Eagle Eye Cherry | Vet #1 |
| Brian Tarantina | Vet #2 |
| Frank Cavestani | Vet #3 / Vet #4 |
| Jimmy L. Parker | Vet #4 |
| David Carriere | Miami Hippie |
| Jack McGee | Democratic Delegate |
| Kristel Otney | Woman #2 |
| Pamela S. Neill | Woman #3 |
| Jodi Long | Reporter #1 |
| Michelle Hurst | Reporter #2 |
| Wayne Knight | Official #2 |
| Elizabeth Hoffman | Passerby #1 |
| Lucinda Jenney | Passerby #2 |
| Lorraine Morin-Torre | Passerby #3 |
| Annie McEnroe | Passerby #4 |
| Daniel Baldwin | Vet #1 |
| John Achorn | (uncredited) |
| Chris Adamec | Orderly (uncredited) |
| Ran Barker | Bobby (uncredited) |
| Theresa Bell | Democratic Conventioner (uncredited) |
| Greg Bransom | Spectator (uncredited) |
| Lee Cogburn | Democratic Delegate – Democratic Convention (uncredited) |
| Dean Denton | Marine Recruiter (uncredited) |
| Jedidiah Esparza | Parade Attendee (uncredited) |
| Luv Adele Gaerlan | Girl Selling Barbecued Pork (uncredited) |
| Kim Gelvin | Girl Musician on Float (uncredited) |
| Allan Hale | Miami Convention Member (uncredited) |
| Hillary Hickam | Prom Date (uncredited) |
| Alan Kazdoy | Convention delegate (uncredited) |
| John F. Kennedy | John F. Kennedy (uncredited) (archiveFootage) |
| Ron Kovic | Parade Veteran (uncredited) |
| Don Kruizinga | Parade Veteran (uncredited) |
| Gary A. Leland | Secret Service Agent (uncredited) |
| Brian Lerch | Parade Attendee (uncredited) |
| Dean Mauro | Conventioneer (uncredited) (unconfirmed) |
| Maureen Mendoza | Little girl (uncredited) |
| Mark Miller | Soldier (uncredited) |
| Fred Moon | DNC Delegate (uncredited) |
| Íce Mrozek | Syracuse Friend (uncredited) |
| Nick Nicholson | Soldier (uncredited) |
| Richard Nixon | Richard Nixon (uncredited) (archiveFootage) |
| Steven Novak | Secret Service Agent (uncredited) |
| Keith V. Otto | College Protestor (uncredited) |
| Bud Sabatino | Father at Parade (uncredited) |
| Lee Shapiro | High School Student (uncredited) |
| Delia Sheppard | Protesting War Widow (uncredited) |
| Christopher Robin Smith | FBI Agent – Republican National Convention (uncredited) |
| E. Lee Smith | Vietnam Veteran (uncredited) |
| Berto Spoor | Soldier (uncredited) |
| Marvin Frank Stone III | Parade Attendee (uncredited) |
| Henry Strzalkowski | (uncredited) |
| Craig Taylor | Protester (uncredited) |
| Steve Thomas | Gazebo Speech Attendee (uncredited) |
| Alan Vafides | Navy Corpsman (uncredited) |
| Mark Edward Walters | Parade Attendee (uncredited) |
| Kevin Watkins | Protestor (uncredited) |
| Claude Whitscell | Prom Date (uncredited) |
Trivia and Facts
- The film is a biography of Ron Kovic and depicts his transition into a political activist post-war.
- The cast of the film, apart from Tom Cruise, includes Bryan Larkin and Raymond J. Barry among others.
- Oliver Stone, the director of the film, is co-writer along with Ron Kovic.
- The film has won significant recognition with 2 Oscar awards along with 13 wins and 26 nominations.
Geo Location Details
- Location Name: Philippines
- Latitude: 12.879721
- Longitude: 121.774017
- Place ID: ChIJY96HXyFTQDIRV9opeu-QR3g
- Map Link: Google Map
- Place Address: Philippines
- Timezone: Asia/Manila
- Location Name: Henderson Elementary School – 2200 South Edgefield Avenue, Elmwood, Oak Cliff, Dallas, Texas, USA
- Latitude: 32.7239374
- Longitude: -96.8443925
- Place ID: ChIJ5fX11hqaToYR-STaHYw9eLQ
- Map Link: Google Map
- Place Address: 2200 S Edgefield Ave, Dallas, TX 75224, USA
- Timezone: America/Chicago
- Location Name: Waltham, Massachusetts, USA
- Latitude: 42.3764852
- Longitude: -71.2356113
- Place ID: ChIJ3eQad-F344kRxFr-GmKH2t4
- Map Link: Google Map
- Place Address: Waltham, MA, USA
- Timezone: America/New_York
- Location Name: Elmwood, Oak Cliff, Dallas, Texas, USA
- Latitude: 32.7261179
- Longitude: -96.8480185
- Place ID: ChIJC2EB-RCaToYR_bh6sBuM1pw
- Map Link: Google Map
- Place Address: Elmwood, Dallas, TX 75224, USA
- Timezone: America/Chicago
