French actress Leslie Caron was cast as Alla Nazimova, Rambova's friend and confidant. Caron felt that Nazimova had "been made more extravagant in the film than she actually was," but said she still "loved" the character. In smaller supporting roles, William Hootkins appears as Fatty Arbuckle, while Carol Kane was cast as Fatty's girlfriend, a young starlet who becomes a friend of Valentino. British actress Felicity Kendal, then known for her work in British television, was cast as June Mathis, a studio executive who was infatuated with Valentino. Several of the cast members, including Nureyev and Caron, screened several of Valentino's films to prepare for their roles.