Eddie is a con artist. When he's framed and comes before a judge, he hopes to get off the hook by climbing insanity—but instead ends up in a hospital for a mental assessment. That night, a storm causes a power failure and, in the ensuing chaos, Eddie is mistaken for a doctor and suddenly finds himself in charge of the hospital.

Richard Pryor
as Eddie Lenahan/Dr. Kevin Slattery

Rachel Ticotin
as Rachel Atwood

Rubén Blades
as Louis

Maria Cardinale
as Herself

Joe Mantegna
as Arthur Chambers

Bob Dishy
as Dr. Foster

Sylvia Miles
as Nurse Maggie Lesser

Joe Dallesandro
as Stucky

Randall "Tex" Cobb
as Box

Bob Saget
as Dr. Joffe