
A harrowing drama of love and murder loosely inspired by Bonnie and Clyde. Ex‑convict Eddie Taylor can’t find a break after his release, and when he’s framed for murder he must flee with his wife Joan Graham and their baby. While on the run after a death sentence, Eddie becomes a true killer, condemning both himself and Joan to a relentless road of crime and death.
Does You Only Live Once have end credit scenes?
No!
You Only Live Once does not have end credit scenes. You can leave when the credits roll.
Explore the complete cast of You Only Live Once, including both lead and supporting actors. Learn who plays each character, discover their past roles and achievements, and find out what makes this ensemble cast stand out in the world of film and television.

Ward Bond
Casey - Guard (uncredited)

Jack Carson
Attendant in First Gas Station

Sylvia Sidney
Joan Graham

Henry Fonda
Eddie Taylor

Margaret Hamilton
Hester

James Flavin
State Trooper (uncredited)

Don Brodie
Compositor (uncredited)

John Wray
Warden Wheeler

Jonathan Hale
District Attorney (uncredited)

Barton MacLane
Stephen Whitney

Jerome Cowan
Dr. Hill

Charles C. Wilson
Police Inspector (uncredited)

Ben Hall
Messenger with Package (uncredited)

William Gargan
Father Dolan

Dick Elliott
Newspaper Editor (uncredited)

Al Bridge
Guard (uncredited)

Harry Cording
Guard (uncredited)

Stanley Blystone
Rafferty - Guard (uncredited)

Ted Oliver
State Trooper (uncredited)

Franklyn Farnum
Plainclothesman (uncredited)

Max Wagner
Dan - Corridor Guard (uncredited)

Frank Mills
Man Telling Eddie of Phone Call (uncredited)

Lee Phelps
Corridor Guard (uncredited)

Amzie Strickland
Young Woman (uncredited)

Stanley Price
Sparks - Man in Diner (uncredited)

Al Hill
Attendant in Second Gas Station (uncredited)

Robert St. Angelo
Corridor Guard (uncredited)

Warren Hymer
Buggsy

Charles 'Chic' Sale
Ethan

Lon Poff
Halsey (uncredited)

E. Alyn Warren
Prison Chef (uncredited)

Guinn "Big Boy" Williams
Rogers

Wade Boteler
Pat - Policeman with Package (uncredited)

Lillian West
Mother (uncredited)

Chuck Hamilton
Armored Car Guard Unloading Money (uncredited)

Ethan Laidlaw
Tommy, a Prison Guard (uncredited)

Harry Wilson
Convict Watching Baseball Game (uncredited)

Hooper Atchley
Teletype Operator (uncredited)

Frank Hagney
Plainclothesman (uncredited)

Earl Askam
Corridor Guard (uncredited)

Raymond Brown
Engineer (uncredited)

Monte Vandergrift
Traffic Policeman (uncredited)

James Pierce
Guard (uncredited)

William Pawley
Mr. Williams (uncredited)

Edgar Dearing
State Trooper Firing Machine Gun (uncredited)

Herbert Heywood
Brakeman in Diner (uncredited)

Wally Maher
Attendant in Second Gas Station (uncredited)

Oscar 'Dutch' Hendrian
Williams' Assistant (uncredited)

Jack Cheatham
Prison Hospital Guard (uncredited)

Allen D. Sewall
Chess-Playing Convict (uncredited)

Hal Craig
Bank Guard (uncredited)

William Ruhl
Guard (uncredited)

David Clyde
Fireman (uncredited)

Jack Herrick
Convict Watching Baseball Game (uncredited)

Russ Clark
Officer (uncredited)

Kathrin Clare Ward
Blonde Cook in Diner (uncredited)

Jean Dixon
Bonnie Graham

Mickey Rentschler
Ten-Year-Old Boy (uncredited)

Henry Taylor
Kozderonas - Apple Vendor (uncredited)

Stanley Mack
Male Nurse (uncredited)

George Burton
Convict Waiter (uncredited)

Shirley Coates
Ethel (uncredited)

Malcolm Graham
Warden's Secretary (uncredited)

Stanley King
Convict (uncredited)

Al K. Hall
Man in Auto Court Office (uncredited)

Walter De Palma
Monk Mendall (uncredited)

Mary Anne Durkin
Warden's 14-Year-Old Daughter (uncredited)
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Challenge your knowledge of You Only Live Once with this fun and interactive movie quiz. Test yourself on key plot points, iconic characters, hidden details, and memorable moments to see how well you really know the film.
Which actor portrayed Eddie Taylor, the ex‑convict protagonist?
Henry Fonda
Barton MacLane
William Gargan
Jean Dixon
Show hint
Read the complete plot summary of You Only Live Once, including all major events, twists, and the full ending explained in detail. Explore key characters, themes, hidden meanings, and everything you need to understand the story from beginning to end.
Eddie Taylor Henry Fonda is an ex-convict who believes he has reformed and deserves a fresh start. At first, the new life seems to unfold smoothly: he marries Joan Graham Sylvia Sidney, a woman who has always believed in him, and with the support of her boss, Barton MacLane, who plays Stephen Whitney, he lands a steady job and even contemplates buying a house.
But trouble arrives when he is abruptly fired after the inn booked for their wedding night recognizes his picture and ejects him. Eddie’s old gang tempts him with an offer to rejoin a life of crime, but he chooses to seek legitimate work instead. Then a bank robbery goes wrong, six people die, and Eddie is framed for the murders. He is sentenced to death by electrocution.
On the eve of his execution, he escapes from the prison infirmary with a smuggled gun, just as a stay is issued. The case grows murkier as the getaway vehicle from the bank is recovered from a lake, along with the stolen money and the body of the real killer. The prison chaplain, Father Dolan William Gargan, whom Eddie has trusted, urges him to accept the reprieve, but Eddie is too embittered to believe he is free. In a desperate act, he kills the chaplain.
He and a now-pregnant Joan go on the run, becoming infamous and blamed for crimes across the route they take. After the baby is born, Joan arranges a meeting with Stephen and her sister Bonnie, Jean Dixon; they plan for Joan to sail with the baby to Havana while Stephen works to clear her name. But Joan refuses to abandon Eddie, and they press on together. Their flight ends in tragedy when the police ambush them; Eddie and Joan are killed. In his final moment, Eddie hears the voice of the chaplain telling him that he is free.
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