Irene Cara played the role of Sparkle in the 1976 version of Sparkle (Still of Irene Cara in Sparkle)
Cara’s career skyrocketed with her role in the hit 1980 film Fame and she has since focused on her music career. In 2011 she released Irene Cara presents: Hot Caramel.
Philip Michael Thomas played the role of Stix in the 1976 version of Sparkle (Still of Irene Cara and Philip Michael in Sparkle)
Thomas became a household name with his role in the hit ’80s TV series Miami Vice. Since then he has been the voice of Lance Vance in the video game Grand Theft Auto: Vice City and Grand Theft Auto: Vice City Stories.
Mary Alice played Effie in the 1976 version of Sparkle (Still of Mary Alice in Sparkle)
Mary Alice replaced the late Gloria Foster in The Matrix Revolutions and the video game Enter the Matrix as The Oracle. (Still of Mary Alice in The Matrix Revolutions)
Dorian Harwood played Levi in the 1976 version of Sparkle (Still of Dorian Harwood in Sparkle)
Dorian Harewood most recently played Dr. Boyd Sherman in the FOX TV series Terminator: The Sarah Connor Chronicles and Gil in the remake of Assault on Precinct 13. (Still of Dorian Harwood in Terminator: The Sarah Connor Chronicles)
Lonette McKee played Sister in the 1976 Sparkle.
Lonette McKee most recently played Connie in the 2011 film Honey 2. (Still of Lonette McKee in Honey 2)
Still of Dorian Harewood Irene Cara, Dwan Smith, Lonette McKee and Philip Michael Thomas in Sparkle.
The African-American period musical Sparkle debuted in 1976, and over the last 30-plus years, i hass become a beloved cult classic.
The much-anticipated remake of the film will star Jordin Sparks, Cee-Lo Green, Derek Luke and Whitney Houston. Directed by Salim Akil, the film is set for release August 17.
In the mid 1990s, Whitney Houston’s production company BrownHouse Productions secured the rights to the remake with Aaaliyah originally being pursued for the lead role as Sparkle. But her untimely death in 2001 put production plans on hold, not to begin again until 2011. The film is has music from the original film as well as new compositions by R Kelly.
We take a look the original cast to see what they have done since then. The soundtrack included music by Curtis Mayfield and the hit Aretha Franklin single “Something He Can Feel”. The original ensemble included notable names like Philip Michael Thomas, Irene Cara, Lonette McKee, Mary Alice and Dorian Harewood.
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