Ve filmu Čínský syndrom hrají Jane Fonda (Kimberly Wells), Jack Lemmon (Jack Godell), Michael Douglas (Richard Adams), Scott Brady (Herman De Young), James Hampton (Bill Gibson), Peter Donat (Don Jacovich), Wilford Brimley (Ted Spindler), Richard Herd (Evan McCormack), Daniel Valdez (Hector Salas), Stan Bohrman (Pete Martin), James Karen (Mac Churchill), Michael Alaimo (Greg Minor), Donald Hotton (Dr. Lowell), Khalilah Ali (Marge), Paul Larson (D.B. Royce), Ron Lombard (Barney), Tom Eure (Tommy), Nick Pellegrino (Borden), Daniel Lewk (Donny), Allan Chinn (Holt), Martin Fiscoe (Control Guard), Alan Kaul (TV Director), Michael Mann (TV Consultant), David Eisenbise (Technical Director), Frank Cavestani (News Reporter), Reuben Collins (Sportscaster), E. Hampton Beagle (Mort), David Pfeiffer (David), Lewis Arquette (Hatcher), Dennis McMullen (Robertson), Rita Taggart (Rita Jacovich), James Hall (Harmon), Carol Schlanger (Waitress), Trudy Lane (Alma Spindler), Jack Smith Jr. (Tom), David Arnsen (KXLA Cameraman), Betty Harford (Woman at Demonstration), Donald Bishop (Hearings Chairman), Al Baietti (Pro-Nuclear Witness), Diandra Morrell (Sasha), Darrell Larson (Young Demonstrator), Roger Pancake (Gate Guard), Joe Lowry (Security Agent), Harry M. Williams (Fire Rescue), Dennis Barker (Jaws of Life), Joseph Garcia (Highway Patrolman), James Kline (Jim), Alan Beckwith (Technician), Clay Hodges (SWAT Squad Leader), Val Clenard (Self), Robert A. Bowen (Camera Operator (uncredited)), Robert Buckingham (Party Guest (uncredited)), John Philip Dayton (Young Photographer (uncredited)), Paul DeCeglie (Man at Meeting (uncredited)), Peter Eastman (Reporter (uncredited)), Bart Greene (Man at Meeting (uncredited)), Michael Jeffers (Board Member (uncredited)), Stephen M. Kienzle (Swat Shooter (uncredited)), Paul LeClair (Board Member (uncredited)), Monty O'Grady (Party Guest (uncredited)), Ray Pourchot (Man at Meeting (uncredited)), Hank Robinson (Reporter (uncredited)), George Simmons (Waiter (uncredited)), Robert S. Woods (Man (uncredited)).