The Temptations Episode #1.1 (Season 1, Episode 1)
TV Episode | 87 min | Biography, Drama, Music

The Temptations

Episode #1.1 (Season 1, Episode 1)

TV Episode | 87 min | Biography, Drama, Music

David Ruffin, Eddie Kendricks, Melvin Franklin, Paul Williams and Otis Williams are five former street corner singers who managed to become Motown legends. With a sound that's doo-wop, pop and hip-hop, they are rhythm and blues royalty. ...See moreDavid Ruffin, Eddie Kendricks, Melvin Franklin, Paul Williams and Otis Williams are five former street corner singers who managed to become Motown legends. With a sound that's doo-wop, pop and hip-hop, they are rhythm and blues royalty. The Temptations had 16 #1 singles on the Billboard charts and received three Grammy Awards. But the climb to the top was plagued by competing egos and repeated drug and alcohol abuse. In 1958 Detroit, Michigan, 17-year-old singer Otis Williams partners with 16-year-old Melvin Franklin to form The Siberians. They quickly come to the attention of Johnnie Mae Matthews who becomes their manager, producer and promoter. Meanwhile, Eddie Kendricks and Paul Williams are burning up the stages of Detroit as The Primes, who are already signed to Motown by entrepreneur/producer Berry Gory. After Johnnie Mae drops The Siberians, and after The Primes disband, Paul, Eddie, Otis and Melvin join to become The Temptations, eventually adding David Ruffin to the group. With their first hit "The Way You Do The Things You Do," The Temptations begin touring with the Motortown Revue, doing the standard "one-nighters" and living in cheap hotels. Life on the road proves to be difficult for the young men, which leads Paul into alcohol dependency and Otis to infidelity. The hit "My Girl" sends the group soaring to the top of the charts, but personal demons plague each of the members. Even after "Cloud Nine" wins The Temptations their first Grammy, their personal lives continue to disintegrate. Eventually, the group is inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame, but the group overall pays a heavy price. David Ruffin dies of a cocaine overdose; Eddie Kendricks develops lung cancer and Melvin Franklin dies from overmedication. Today, Otis Williams continues to tour with a revised lineup of The Temptations, keeping alive the hot sounds and memories of Eddie, David, Paul and Melvin. See less

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Cast	+ Add Cast
72 cast members

Name	Known for
Charles Malik Whitfield Otis Williams Otis Williams See fewer	Behind Enemy Lines (2001)
D.B. Woodside Melvin Franklin Melvin Franklin See fewer	Lucifer (2016)
Terron Brooks Eddie Kendricks Eddie Kendricks See fewer	Above the Rim (1994)
Christian Payton Paul Williams Paul Williams See fewer	U.S. Marshals (1998)
Leon David Ruffin David Ruffin See fewer	Cool Runnings (1993)
Alan Rosenberg Shelly Berger Shelly Berger See fewer	The Wanderers (1979)
Tina Lifford Haze Haze See fewer	Blood Work (2002)
Jenifer Lewis Mama Rose Mama Rose See fewer	The Princess and the Frog (2009)
Gina Ravera Josephine Josephine See fewer	Showgirls (1995)
Obba Babatundé Berry Gordy Berry Gordy See fewer	Life (I) (1999)
Erik Michael Tristan Smokey Robinson Smokey Robinson See fewer	Mystery Men (1999)
J. August Richards Richard Street Richard Street See fewer	Angel (1999)
Harold Surratt Edgar Edgar See fewer	The Blacklist (2013)
Charles Ley Dennis Edwards Dennis Edwards See fewer	The Temptations (1998)
Vanessa Bell Calloway Johnnie Mae Matthews Johnnie Mae Matthews See fewer	Coming to America (1988)
Mel Jackson Norman Whitfield Norman Whitfield See fewer	Abduction of Jesse Bookman (2008)
Rhonda Ross Kendrick Maxine Maxine See fewer	Another World (1964)
Vincent A. Ponder James 'Pee-Wee' Crawford James 'Pee-Wee' Crawford See fewer	The Temptations (1998)
Chaz Lamar Shepherd Elbridge 'Al' Bryant Elbridge 'Al' Bryant See fewer	Set It Off (1996)
Stevland Parks Lamont, age 12 Lamont, age 12 See fewer	The Temptations (1998)
Christopher Reid Joltin' Joe Joltin' Joe See fewer	House Party (1990)
Chrystal Bates Mrs. Rogers Mrs. Rogers See fewer	The Temptations (1998)
Bianca Lawson Diana Ross Diana Ross See fewer	Save the Last Dance (2001)
Melissa Cardello Linton Florence Ballard (as Melissa Mercedes Cardello) Florence Ballard (as Melissa Mercedes Cardello) See fewer	X2: X-Men United (2003)
Taifa Harris Mary Wilson Mary Wilson See fewer	Taste the Revolution (2003)
N'Tasha A. Pierre Martha Reeves Martha Reeves See fewer	The Temptations (1998)
Ricky Fante Marvin Gaye Marvin Gaye See fewer	Robots (2005)
Russell Clark Cholly Atkins Cholly Atkins See fewer	Fallen (1998)
Adam Lazarre-White Flynn Flynn See fewer	The Old Way (2023)
Ben Cain Glenn Leonard (as Benjamin J. Cain Jr.) Glenn Leonard (as Benjamin J. Cain Jr.) See fewer	Cruel Summer (2021)
Peter Anthony Actor Actor See fewer	From the Earth to the Moon (1998)
Tommy Lafitte Drug Dealer Drug Dealer See fewer	Jack Reacher (2012)
Lamman Rucker Jimmy Ruffin Jimmy Ruffin See fewer	Why Did I Get Married? (2007)
Nyjah Moore Tammi Terrell Tammi Terrell See fewer	The Temptations (1998)
Danni Vasser Actress Actress See fewer	The Temptations (1998)
Jonnie Brown Damon Harris Damon Harris See fewer	The Wire (2002)
Charles Brown Actor Actor See fewer	Trading Places (1983)
Ronnie Beasley The Voice Masters The Voice Masters See fewer	The Temptations (1998)
Thomas Martell Brimm Barber Barber See fewer	American Experience (1987)
Albridge Bryant Actor Actor See fewer	The Temptations (1998)
Ezra S. Coles The Voice Masters The Voice Masters See fewer	The Temptations (1998)
Marcel Curges The Cadillacs The Cadillacs See fewer	The Temptations (1998)
Anthony Dixon The Cadillacs The Cadillacs See fewer	The Temptations (1998)
Dennis Edwards Self Self See fewer	Bringing Down the House (2003)
Melvin Franklin Self Self See fewer	Pole Position (1984)
Michael Fullmer Actor Actor See fewer	The Temptations (1998)
Stephanie Haff Girl in bar Girl in bar See fewer	Concussion (2015)
Shelly Hall Grocery Lady Grocery Lady See fewer	The Temptations (1998)
Shelton Hall Allan age 8 Allan age 8 See fewer	The Temptations (1998)
Tony Haris Principal Dancer Principal Dancer See fewer	Like a Woman Should (2001)
Eric Hersh Concert Member Concert Member See fewer	The Temptations (1998)
Amanda Iwanonkiw Family friend Family friend See fewer	Mary and Joe (2002)
Jesse Iwanonkiw FAMILY FRIEND FAMILY FRIEND See fewer	She's Out of My League (2010)
Stephaine Iwanonkiw Family Friend Family Friend See fewer	The Temptations (1998)
Leonard Julien III David Ruffin (singing voice) David Ruffin (singing voice) See fewer	The Temptations (1998)
Eddie Kendricks Actor (archive sound) Actor (archive sound) See fewer	Downsizing (2017)
Robert Knowles The Cadillacs The Cadillacs See fewer	The Temptations (1998)
Mandell Loman The Voice Masters The Voice Masters See fewer	The Temptations (1998)
Tremayne McCoy Student leaving school Student leaving school See fewer	Senioritis (2018)
Larry John Meyers Dr. Klein Dr. Klein See fewer	Runaway Train (I) (1985)
Smokey Robinson Self Self See fewer	Big Time (1977)
Thomas Ross The Cadillacs The Cadillacs See fewer	Rappin' (1985)
David Ruffin Man in Coppa Cabana Man in Coppa Cabana See fewer	I Want You Back (2022)
Tim Stevens Hall of Fame Presenter Hall of Fame Presenter See fewer	Days of Our Lives (1965)
Richard Street Actor Actor See fewer	Glory Road (2006)
Maurice Walker The Voice Masters The Voice Masters See fewer	The Temptations (1998)
J.R. Whittington The Cadillacs (as James R. Whittington) The Cadillacs (as James R. Whittington) See fewer	The Blacklist (2013)
Otis Williams Actor (archive sound) Actor (archive sound) See fewer	Goodfellas (1990)
Paul Williams Actor (archive sound) Actor (archive sound) See fewer	The Temptations: Ball of Confusion (Live) (1970)
Stephanie Bertoni Dancer (uncredited) Dancer (uncredited) See fewer	Abduction (I) (2011)
Kenny Blake Saxophone Player (uncredited) Saxophone Player (uncredited) See fewer	Grady Tate's Windmills (2013)
Lisa Delmar Self - Fan (uncredited) Self - Fan (uncredited) See fewer	Drilling Holes Into the Sun (2017)