- Deleted Scene: A ten-minute sequence on the Lower East Side featuring real-life social activist Emma Goldman was cut from the final print. In the sequence, Goldman takes Evelyn Nesbitt back to her apartment, explains her misgivings about women wearing restrictive undergarments, removes them from Nesbitt and tries to recruit her for the Socialist cause. During the scene, a voyeuristic younger brother followed them into the building and secretly watches Nesbitt undress.
- Hide Your Pregnancy: Mary Steenburgen was pregnant during filming. Her turn-of-the-century clothes concealed it.
- No Stunt Double: Jeffrey DeMunn performed his own stunts, including a scene in which he tries to get out of a straight jacket hung upside down from a height.
- Wag the Director: James Cagney objected to saying "nigger" in reference to Walker, so "buck" was substituted.
- What Could Have Been:
- Robert Altman was originally hired as director for the film version. The novel and Nashville came out around the same time and everyone commented on the similarities in style and tone between the two, so Altman directing Ragtime was viewed as a foregone conclusion. But Altman and producer Dino De Laurentiis clashed and he was dismissed in pre-production in favor of Miloš Forman. E.L. Doctorow was disappointed that Altman didn't get to direct the film and the two vowed to collaborate at some point, but never got the chance. Doctorow even spoke at Altman's memorial service, regretting how this all went down.
- Paul Newman turned down the role of Commissioner Rhinelander Waldo. Jack Nicholson was cast, but dropped out.
- Nastassja Kinski wanted to play Evelyn Nesbit, but she couldn't get Nesbit's accent.
- O. J. Simpson lobbied hard for the role of Coalhouse Walker, Jr.
- George C. Scott was considered for the role of Father.
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