Pesci was an unknown actor prior to the film, as was Moriarty, whom Pesci suggested for her role. Schrader re-wrote Martin's first screenplay, and Scorsese and De Niro together made uncredited contributions thereafter. Scorsese was initially reluctant to develop the project, though he eventually came to relate to LaMotta's story.

Nicholas Colasanto, Theresa Saldana and Frank Vincent play supporting roles in the film, and John Turturro makes his film debut in an uncredited role. Also featured in the film are Joe Pesci as LaMotta's brother Joey and Cathy Moriarty in her film debut as LaMotta's wife Vikki. The film, distributed by United Artists, stars Robert De Niro as Jake LaMotta, an Italian-American middleweight boxer whose self-destructive and obsessive rage, jealousy and animalistic appetite destroyed his relationship with his wife and family. Raging Bull is a 1980 American biographical sports drama film directed by Martin Scorsese, produced by Robert Chartoff and Irwin Winkler and adapted by Paul Schrader and Mardik Martin from Jake LaMotta's 1970 memoir Raging Bull: My Story.

Raging bull colour