The Temptations

Otis Williams

Melvin Franklin

Eddie Kendricks

Paul Williams

David Ruffin

Haze

Mama Rose

Josephine

Berry Gordy

Smokey Robinson

Richard Street

Edgar

Dennis Edwards

Johnnie Mae Matthews

Norman Whitfield

Maxine

James 'Pee-Wee' Crawford

Elbridge 'Al' Bryant

Lamont, age 12

Joltin' Joe

Mrs. Rogers

Diana Ross

Florence Ballard

Mary Wilson

Martha Reeves

Marvin Gaye

Cholly Atkins

Flynn

Glenn Leonard

Drug Dealer

Jimmy Ruffin

Tammi Terrell

Damon Harris

The Voice Masters

Dancer

Barber

(archive sound) (also as The Temptations)

The Voice Masters

The Cadillacs

The Cadillacs

(archive sound) (also as The Temptations)

(archive sound) (also as The Temptations)

Grocery Lady

Allan age 8

Principal Dancer

Concert Member

Family friend

FAMILY FRIEND

Family Friend

Bass Player

(archive sound)

The Cadillacs

The Voice Masters

Dr. Klein

(archive sound)

Himself

The Cadillacs

Man in Coppa Cabana (archive sound) (also as The Temptations)

Hall of Fame Presenter

(archive sound) (also as The Temptations)

The Voice Masters

The Cadillacs (as James R. Whittington)

(archive sound)

(archive sound)

Patron at Club (uncredited)

Motown Family Member (uncredited)

Singing Cop (uncredited)

Lamont - age 18 (uncredited)

Fan (uncredited)

Student on Sidewalk (uncredited)

Schoolgirl (uncredited)

Pedestrian (uncredited)

Chef at Nightclub (uncredited)

Concert Fan (uncredited)

Fan (uncredited)

Trumpet Player (uncredited)

Visiting Friend (uncredited)

In the days leading up to his death, Eddie Kendricks performed one final concert. The effects of his cancer were so severe, that he had to take a break and sit with an oxygen tank after performing each song.

When David Ruffin joined the Tempts, he was already a solo recording artist with Motown and therefore had a different contract than the rest of the group. His contract did not prevent him from singing in a group, so long as he performed on a certain amount of records and such. This fact was known to the group and left some hesitation with Eddie Kendricks in particular regarding David's membership. In Otis Williams' autobiography, he wrote that Eddie's fear for David would be him one day putting himself ahead of the group and focusing on his solo career which none of the Tempts wanted to entertain with any lead singer; becoming a Temptation was meant to be permanent. Unfortunately Eddie's fears were realized when David began traveling separately from the group and attempted to have the group name changed to "David Ruffin & The Temptations." As the film depicts, David was beginning to unravel at this time. One thing that is not in the film, is that Ruffin began demanding an accounting of the groups money. He felt like Motown was cheating the group and this fear was shared by Eddie Kendricks, who claims that this was the reason why he considered leaving the group and Mowtown as early as 1965; six years before actually leaving the Tempts to go solo.

Smokey Robinson is the only Motown celebrity to make an appearance as himself during the movie.

During the scene at The Rock and Roll Hall Of Fame Induction ceremony in 1989, the actor playing Glenn Leonard was seated at the table with the current lineup of The Temptations, at that time. By then, however, Ron Tyson filled the role of first tenor/falsetto vocalist in the group and not Glenn Leonard. Tyson replaced Glenn Leonard in 1983.

David Ruffin is portrayed as missing a Reunion tour date by engaging in a crack cocaine binge. While the tour occurred in 1982, crack cocaine did not appear on the streets until 1984.

When the Temptations are touring and performing at schools, many members of the audience are just shuffled between the first trip and the second trip a couple of years later and they are wearing the exact same clothes.

Otis Williams: No, no. That ain't you on "Cloud Nine" now that's Dennis' voice!

Eddie Kendricks: Makin' a big mistake, Otis.

David Ruffin: I'm the one sellin' the records. They're comin' to see me.