'Roots' 35 years later: Where is the cast now?

SLIDESHOW - On the 35th anniversary of its airing, theGrio takes a look back at where the 'Roots' actors were then, and where they are now...

Luther Vandross was outed as gay after his death.

On January 23, 1977, ABC aired the first of eight consecutive episodes of the twelve-hour mini-series Roots. Arguably the most successful television movie of all time — it was nominated for a combined 35 awards, and won 14, including nine Emmy awards. Roots had a lasting impact on viewers, television, and its cast. On the 35th anniversary of its airing, theGrio takes a look back at where the ‘Roots’ actors were then, and where they are now.

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