The series starred Edmond O'Brien in the title role, with Richard Rust as his assistant Hank Tabor, and Joan Tompkins as his secretary Trudy Wagner.
[1] The character Sam Benedict is based on real-life lawyer Jake Ehrlich, who served as technical consultant for the series.
[2] According to Hal Erickson in his 2009 Encyclopedia of Television Law Shows, "Beyond his salty delivery of lines and bulldozer courtroom demeanor, Sam Benedict shared with Jake Ehrlich an up-from-poverty background (including a short stint as a prizefighter!
with Sandy Kenyon, John Alderson, Joan Tompkins, Emily McLaughlin, Donna Douglas, Robert Brubaker, Arthur Hanson, Larry Thor and Edgar Stehli as Barney Tibbets.
Linda Watkins, John Anderson, Narda Onyx, Ed Prentiss, Frank Puglia, Adrienne Marden, Joey Scott, Rupert Crosse.
Edward Asner as Everett Colner, David Sheiner as Ben Williams, Joe De Santis as Judge Parrelli, Henry Beckman as Gerald Spangler, Karl Swenson as Barney Rosvalley.
Uncredited (in order of appearance): Bert Stevens, Eddie Hice, Colin Kenny, Robert Bice Guest Star Miyoshi Umeki.
Virginia Gregg as Judge Semmeler, Aki Aleong as Arthur Nishibue, Joey Walsh as Howard Munsey, Harold Gould as Al Walpole, Beulah Quo as Mrs. Matsui, Allen Jung as Mr. Matsui, S. John Launer as Walter Price, John Alvin as Burt and Robert F. Simon as Bill Gottlieb.
Barry Kelley as Senator Condor, Ross Elliott as Marty Rhodes, Bernard Fein as Harry Owens, Darryl Richards as Leon Katz.
Lewis Charles as Charlie, Francis DeSales as Judge, Tom Nello as Cab Driver, Rusty Lane as Court Clerk.
Robert H. Harris, Rusty Lane, Paul Newlan, Ollie O'Toole, John Anderson, Jeane Wood, Roy Glenn, Vince Chase and Dara Howard as Gloria Gorman.
Vaughn Taylor as Pine, Leo Penn as George Klaus, Al Ruscio as Nico Garza, Grace Lee Whitney as Susan Craig, Robert Brubaker as Lieutenant Eubank, John Zaremba as Medical Examiner, Ollie O'Toole as Clerk, Mike Dugan as Deputy, Steve Harris as Assistant District Attorney Guest star Burgess Meredith Co-Starring Milton Selzer, Joby Baker, Yvonne Craig, and Irene Dailey.
Jacques Aubuchon as Dr. Arnold Kozlenko, Patrick Hale as Billy Stone, Edward Mallory as Resident Doctor, Crahan Denton as Dr. Anson Holiday, Byron Kane as Court Clerk, Sidney Clute as Patient, Clancy Cooper as bailiff and Dolores Sutton as Sarah Franklin.
Kenneth Tobey as Lt. Pete Kender, Alexander Lockwood as Judge Baker, Elizabeth MacRae as Gretchen Jerome, John McLiam as Inspector.
Guest Starring: Brian Keith, and Lori Martin With Joan Tompkins as Trudy Wagner.
Co-Starring: Doro Merande, Patricia Huston with Joan Tompkins as Trudy Wagner Special Guest Star: Edmond O'Brien as Charlie Dunphie.
Introducing Frank Sinatra, Jr. as Roy Faring, with Joan Tompkins as Trudy Wagner Guest Star: James Gregory.
Co-Starring: Michael Strong with Joan Tompkins as Trudy Wagner "Sam Benedict is based on the real living character of J. W. (Jake) Ehrlich but the stories are fictional."