Plot
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.
Trailer
Cast
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)
