The Five Heartbeats

In the early 1960s, a quintet of hopeful, young African-American men form an amateur vocal group called The Five Heartbeats. After an initially rocky start, the group improves, turns pro, and rises to become a top flight music sensation. Along the way, however, the guys learn many hard lessons about the reality of the music industry.

Drama Music

Robert Townsend

(Duck)

Michael Wright

(Eddie)

Leon

(J.T.)

Harry Lennix

(Dresser)

Tico Wells

(Choirboy)

Diahann Carroll

(Eleanor Potter)

Harold Nicholas

(Sarge)

John Canada Terrell

(Michael 'Flash' Turner)

Hawthorne James

(Big Red)

Roy Fegan

(Bird)

Troy Byer

(Baby Doll)

Carla Brothers

(Tanya Sawyer)

Deborah Lacey

(Rose)

Theresa Randle

(Brenda)

John Witherspoon

(Wild Rudy)

Bobby McGee

(Leon)

O.L. Duke

(Monroe)

Kasi Lemmons

(Cookie)

Eugene Robert Glazer

(David Green)

Timmie Rogers

(Buddy Lewis)

Tommy Redmond Hicks

(Pastor Blake)

Donnie Simpson

(Donnie Simpson)

Norma Donaldson

(Mrs. Sawyer)

Roger Rose

(The Five Horsemen)

James Anderson

(Big Red's Guys)

Arnold Johnson

(Mr. Matthews)

Monique Mannen

(Sandra Tillman)

Paul Benjamin

(Mr. King)

Phyllis Applegate

(Myra Stone)

David McKnight

(Pastor Stone)

Veronica Redd

(Mrs. Matthews)

Chuck Patterson

(Jimmy Potter)

Tressa Thomas

(Duck's Baby Sister)

John Pittman

(Hitman)

Tammy Townsend

(Matthew's Kids)

Bobby Mardis

(The Midnight Falcons)

Lamont Johnson

(Bobby Cassanova)

Marilyn Coleman

(Mrs. King)

Suzanne Suter

(The Crystals)

Gigi Bolden

(The Crystals)

Recoe Walker

(The Ebony Sparks)

Wayne 'Crescendo' Ward

(The Ebony Sparks)

Gregory 'Popeye' Alexander

(The Midnight Falcons)

Jimmy Woodard

(The Midnight Falcons)

Randy Harris

(Big Red's Guys)

Harry Stanback

(Speakeasy Guy)

Tiffanique Webb

(Speakeasy Girl)

Vincent J. Isaac

(Hitman)

Mayuto Correa

(Dancer)

Robin Ray Eller

(Heartbeat Dancer (uncredited))

Coffee Wright

(Mrs. king's friend (uncredited))