RFK is a 2002 American historical drama television film directed by Robert Dornhelm and written by Hank Steinberg. The film stars Linus Roache as Robert F. Kennedy. David Paymer, Martin Donovan, Jacob Vargas, Marnie McPhail, Sergio Di Zio, Sean Sullivan, Ving Rhames and James Cromwell also star. It premiered on the FX Network on August 25, 2002.
The film takes place through the eyes of RFK after his brother John F. Kennedy's assassination in 1963. As he lives through the loss, he starts to identify himself as a political figure, not just the former president's brother. He makes it official with a 1968 United States presidential election bid in order, what he says, to "save the Democratic Party". During his campaign, in which the American people showed great support for him, RFK was shot and killed by pro-Palestinian activist Sirhan Sirhan as a statement against Kennedy's unwavering support of Israel.
The film was shot in Hamilton, Ontario, Canada.
Cast
Linus Roache as Robert F. Kennedy
David Paymer as Dick Goodwin
Martin Donovan as John F. Kennedy
Jacob Vargas as Cesar Chavez
Marnie McPhail as Ethel Kennedy
Sergio Di Zio as Adam Walinsky
Sean Sullivan as Stephen Edward Smith
Ving Rhames as Judge Jones
James Cromwell as Lyndon B. Johnson
Kevin Hare as Ted Kennedy
Rodger Barton as Sheriff
Corinne Conley as Rose Kennedy
Phil Craig as John A. McCone
Jordan Fennell as Jordan
Neil Foster as Mayor
David Gardner as Joseph Kennedy Sr. Judith Goodwin as Evelyn Lincoln Nigel Hamer as Stand-up Reporter Jonathan Higgins as Peter Edelman David Huband as Reporter #1 Bill Lake as Mr. Murphy Colm Magner as Reporter #2 Dwight McFee as Painter Michael Rhoades as Reporter #3 Kim Roberts as Joshua's mother Sheila Shotton as Speech Therapist Fernando Valladares as Priest Joshua Watkis as Joshua Timm Zemanek as Dr. Coles