October Sky is a biography drama film made in 1999. The film is based on a real story about a miner’s son, Homer Hickam, who was inspired to venture into rocketry after the launch of the first Sputnik. It features stars like Jake Gyllenhaal, Chris Cooper, and Laura Dern, and the viewers also get to learn more about the filming and the intriguing facts behind the scenes.
Where it Filmed?
The film was shot in several locations across Tennessee, USA which include Petros, Wartburg, and Harriman. Some of the scenes were also filmed at the Fountain City Elementary School located at 2910 Montbelle Drive, Knoxville, and the Tennessee Valley Railroad in Chattanooga. The entire film was shot between February 23, 1998, and April 30, 1998.
Cast Details
| Cast Name | Role |
|---|---|
| Jake Gyllenhaal | Homer Hickam |
| Chris Cooper | John Hickam |
| Laura Dern | Miss Riley |
| Chris Owen | Quentin |
| William Lee Scott | Roy Lee |
| Chad Lindberg | O’Dell |
| Natalie Canerday | Elsie Hickam |
| Randy Stripling | Leon Bolden |
| Chris Ellis | Principal Turner |
| Elya Baskin | Ike Bykovsky |
| David Dwyer | Jake Mosby |
| Terry Loughlin | Mr. Dantzler |
| Kaili Hollister | Valentine Carmina |
| David Copeland | Coach Gainer |
| Don Henderson Baker | Jensen |
| Tom Kagy | Lenny |
| Donald Thorne | Trooper One |
| Justin Whitsett | Kid |
| Larry Rue | Neighbor |
| Neva Howell | Neighbor |
| Terry Nienhuis | Neighbor |
| Brady Coleman | Anderson |
| Rick Forrester | Roper |
| Terrence Gibney | Basil Thorpe |
| Keeli Hale Kimbro | Corvette Girl |
| Mark Jeffrey Miller | Vernon |
| Blaque Fowler | Reverend |
| Don Tilley | Rescue Worker |
| Rockford Davis | Chemistry Teacher |
| John Bennes | Doctor |
| Jonathan Fawbush | Barney |
| Larry Black | Fred Smith |
| Frank Schuler | Moonshiner |
| Tommy Smeltzer | Man at Mine |
| Charles Lawlor | Miner |
| Tom Turbiville | Miner |
| Ida Ginn | Quentin’s Mom |
| Richard Lumpkin | Judge at Welch |
| Don Taylor | Union Official |
| Don G. Campbell | Mr. Morris |
| Bradford Ryan Lund | Ivy League Boy |
| Frank Hoyt Taylor | Judge at Indy |
| Ray Elder | Tom Webster |
| Andy Stahl | Jack Palmer |
| David Ducey | Man in Crowd |
| Jenny Patterson | Nurse |
| O. Winston Link | Locomotive Engineer |
| Wren Barnes | Science Fair Student (uncredited) |
| Ryder Davis | Man in Crowd (uncredited) |
| Brian Edward Keith | Coal Miner (uncredited) |
| Shawn Lindsay | Miner (uncredited) |
Trivia and Facts
1. This film is based on the true life story of Homer H. Hickam Jr., who grew up in a small town of coal miners.
2. Jake Gyllenhaal who played the role of Homer Hickam is now a renowned American actor.
3. Laura Dern, an American actress featured as Miss Riley in the film.
4. Chris Cooper was featured as John Hickam, the father of Homer Hickam.
5. The film received 4 wins and 11 nominations at the awards.
6. The film was directed by Joe Johnston and lasted 1 hour 48 min.
7. October Sky was released in Canada on February 19, 1999.
Geo Location Details
- Location Name: Petros, Tennessee, USA
- Latitude: 36.0958817
- Longitude: -84.44192319999999
- Place ID: ChIJVwJZ9njIXYgR2mOcoirIK58
- Map Link: Google Map
- Place Address: Petros, TN, USA
- Timezone: America/New_York
- Location Name: Wartburg, Tennessee, USA
- Latitude: 36.1047979
- Longitude: -84.597162
- Place ID: ChIJOwi9ZDbAXYgRXPb9QUQJr3I
- Map Link: Google Map
- Place Address: Wartburg, TN 37887, USA
- Timezone: America/New_York
- Location Name: Fountain City Elementary School – 2910 Montbelle Drive, Knoxville, Tennessee, USA
- Latitude: 36.0414421
- Longitude: -83.9343023
- Place ID: ChIJGauVWh4-XIgRNI9O9GeFT8s
- Map Link: Google Map
- Place Address: 2910 Montbelle Dr, Knoxville, TN 37918, USA
- Timezone: America/New_York
- Location Name: Harriman, Tennessee, USA
- Latitude: 35.9339638
- Longitude: -84.5524358
- Place ID: ChIJSQTNGwLdXYgRJsIfbYD8DnY
- Map Link: Google Map
- Place Address: Harriman, TN 37748, USA
- Timezone: America/New_York
- Location Name: Tennessee Valley Railroad, Chattanooga, Tennessee, USA
- Latitude: 35.0678885
- Longitude: -85.2061671
- Place ID: ChIJ9V5LQnJhYIgR1YJZiRM0k_4
- Map Link: Google Map
- Place Address: 4119 Cromwell Rd, Chattanooga, TN 37421, USA
- Timezone: America/New_York
