

Joe Gould's Secret
Synopsis
Around 1940, New Yorker staff writer Joe Mitchell meets Joe Gould, a Greenwich Village character who cadges meals, drinks, and contributions to the Joe Gould Fund and who is writing a voluminous Oral History of the World, a record of 20,000 conversations he's overheard. Mitchell is fascinated with this Harvard grad and writes a 1942 piece about him, "Professor Seagull," bringing Gould some celebrity and an invitation to join the Greenwich Village Ravens, a poetry club he's often crashed. Gould's touchy, querulous personality and his frequent dropping in on Mitchell for hours of chat lead to a breakup, but the two Joes stay in touch until Gould's death and Mitchell's unveiling of the secret.
Top Cast
Explore Star Directory →Ian Holm
Joe Gould
Stanley Tucci
Joe Mitchell
Hope Davis
Therese Mitchell
Sarah Hyland
Elizabeth Mitchell
Hallee Hirsh
Nora Mitchell
Celia Weston
Sarah
Patrick Tovatt
Harold Ross
Susan Sarandon
Alice Neel
Patricia Clarkson
Vivian Marquie
John Tormey
Harry Kolis
Jack A. O'Connell
Chef
Jerry Mayer
Minetta Bartender
Nell Campbell
Tamar (Hostess)
Ron Ryan
Jack
Allan Corduner
Francis McCrudden
Merwin Goldsmith
Monsieur Gerard
Laura Hughes
Dr. Kim Maxwell
Steve Martin
Charlie Duell
Release History & Theatrical Window
January 21, 2000
Wide Cinema Exhibition
Key Information & Fast Facts
- Director
- Stanley Tucci
- Screenplay & Story
- Howard A. Rodman
- Original Score
- Evan Lurie
- Original Title
- Joe Gould's Secret
- Spoken Languages
- English
- Runtime
- 1h 44m
Creative Leadership & Key Crew
Stanley Tucci
Howard A. Rodman
Evan Lurie
Maryse Alberti
Suzy Elmiger
Department Leadership Roster
Stanley Tucci
Director
Howard A. Rodman
Writer
Maryse Alberti
Director of Photography
Suzy Elmiger
Editor
Evan Lurie
Original Music Composer
Andrew Jackness
Production Design
Juliet Polcsa
Costume Design
Age Classification & Content Advisories
Official viewer rating standards and content warnings across international classification boards.
International Certification Matrix
FSK 6 — Restricted to viewers aged 6 and older.
Production Stills & Gallery
Official cinematic photography and background stills for Joe Gould's Secret.
Featured In Curated Collections
Editorial lists, community rankings, and cinematic collections featuring Joe Gould's Secret.
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Frequently Asked Questions About Joe Gould's Secret
Quick factual answers about cast, synopsis, director, box office, and release information.
What is Joe Gould's Secret about?
Around 1940, New Yorker staff writer Joe Mitchell meets Joe Gould, a Greenwich Village character who cadges meals, drinks, and contributions to the Joe Gould Fund and who is writing a voluminous Oral History of the World, a record of 20,000 conversations he's overheard. Mitchell is fascinated with this Harvard grad and writes a 1942 piece about him, "Professor Seagull," bringing Gould some celebrity and an invitation to join the Greenwich Village Ravens, a poetry club he's often crashed. Gould's touchy, querulous personality and his frequent dropping in on Mitchell for hours of chat lead to a breakup, but the two Joes stay in touch until Gould's death and Mitchell's unveiling of the secret.
Who directed Joe Gould's Secret?
Joe Gould's Secret was directed by Stanley Tucci.
Who stars in Joe Gould's Secret?
The principal cast of Joe Gould's Secret includes Ian Holm, Stanley Tucci, Hope Davis, Sarah Hyland, Hallee Hirsh.
When was Joe Gould's Secret released and how long is it?
Joe Gould's Secret was released in 2000 with a total runtime of 1h 44m.
Who composed the musical score for Joe Gould's Secret?
The original motion picture soundtrack for Joe Gould's Secret was composed by Evan Lurie.
What is the age rating and content advisory for Joe Gould's Secret?
Joe Gould's Secret holds official age classifications: DE: 6 (FSK 6 — Restricted to viewers aged 6 and older.).
