Otis' best friend, and a member of both Otis Williams & the Distants and The Temptations for over four decades. Shy and soft-spoken, he secretly struggles with arthritis over the years, & there is some implication that, as a result of his condition, he may be addicted to various pain medications. Outside of founding member Otis Williams, Franklin was the only member of the Temptations who did not quit or get fired from the group during his tenure. Franklin died in 1995. Jenifer Lewis as "Mama Rose", Melvin's mother. Terron Brooks as Eddie "Cornbread" Kendricks, a member of The Primes and The Temptations' original first tenor/falsetto and co-lead singer. After quitting the group in 1971, Eddie becomes a solo singer and later joins forces with fellow ex-Temptation David Ruffin. A lifelong chain smoker, Kendricks died of lung cancer in 1992 (this event is not portrayed in the miniseries, but is referenced near the end of Part Two). Christian Payton as Paul Williams, a member of The Primes and the Temptations' original lead singer, who succumbs to alcoholism and sickle cell anemia, forcing his retirement from the act in 1971. He committed suicide two years later. Rhonda Ross Kendrick as Maxine, Paul's wife Leon Robinson as David Ruffin, The Temptations' lead singer from 1964 to 1968, whose ego leads the others to force him out of the group. Addicted to cocaine & later crack, Ruffin died of a drug overdose in 1991. Lamman Rucker as Jimmy Ruffin, David's older brother and a Motown performer. Nyjah Moore as Tammi Terrell, David's girlfriend and a Motown performer. Other Temptations Members J. August Richards as Richard Street, a member of Otis Williams & the Distants, who later replaces Paul Williams in The Temptations. Charles Ley as Dennis Edwards, The Temptations' lead singer in the late 1960s and 1970s. He later joins forces with David and Eddie when they form a Temptations splinter group in the 1980s. Chaz Lamar Shepherd as Elbridge "Al"/"Bones" Bryant, Otis' high school friend and a member of both Otis Williams & the Distants and The Temptations. Having a day job as a milk man, Al becomes restless and moody as the Temptations struggle to find their big break, and is fired in December 1963. Benjamin J. Cain Jr. as Glenn Leonard, the Temptations' first tenor in the 1980s. Jonnie Brown as Damon Harris, the Temptations' first tenor in the 1970s