Where Are They Now?: The Original Cast of Sparkle

A look at the film's original cast.

Sparkle - After a 15-year hiatus from the big screen, Whitney was finally ready to face the camera again for a remake of the 1976 film Sparkle. She produced the film and starred as the unsupportive mother to Jordin Sparks's aspiring singing star, admitting that she channeled her own mother, Cissy Houston, into the role. Sparkle is set to release in August of this year.

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Sparkle (1976) - Inspired by the story of the Supremes, Sparkle told the tale of three sisters who form a singing group and then fight to keep the family from falling apart. The film — along with its soundtrack — became an instant cult classic. This Sunday, the 1976 version will air on BET's Black Star Cinema at 3:30P/2:30C.With the upcoming remake of Sparkle about to be released, let's see what the actors from the original cast have been up to.(Photo: Warner Bros Pictures)

Philip Michael Thomas - Philip Michael Thomas orginated the role of ambitious music manager Stix. The long-time actor — who briefly had a forgettable singing career in the '80s — is best known for playing Det. Richardo Tubbs on the groundbreaking TV cop show Miami Vice.(Photo: Jim Spellman/WireImage)

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Philip Michael Thomas - Philip Michael Thomas orginated the role of ambitious music manager Stix. The long-time actor — who briefly had a forgettable singing career in the '80s — is best known for playing Det. Richardo Tubbs on the groundbreaking TV cop show Miami Vice.(Photo: Jim Spellman/WireImage)

Photo By Photo: Jim Spellman/WireImage

Irene Cara - Four years after starring in the classic kids show Electric Company, Irene Cara landed the breakout character role in Sparkle. The actress and singer made her mark mostly through music, singing the classic themes for the films Fame (1981) and Flashdance (1983), for which she won a Best Original Song Oscar.(Photo: Ron Wolfson /Landov)

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Irene Cara - Four years after starring in the classic kids show Electric Company, Irene Cara landed the breakout character role in Sparkle. The actress and singer made her mark mostly through music, singing the classic themes for the films Fame (1981) and Flashdance (1983), for which she won a Best Original Song Oscar.(Photo: Ron Wolfson /Landov)

Lonette McKee as Grandma - Lonette McKee captures the audience's heart as the loving grandmother and caretaker of Woody. (Photo: Joseph Marzullo/Wenn.com)

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Lonette McKee - Lonette McKee's portrayal of Sparkle's wayward sibling, Sister, defined the character for the remake. Since then, she has churned out career-defining roles like lesbian urbanite Lorraine in the TV mini-series Women of Brewster Place (1989) and the mother in Spike Lee's Malcolm X (1992).(Photo: Joseph Marzullo/Wenn.com)

Dwan Smith - This relatively unknown actress played Sparkle's introspective sister Delores. After the 1976 film's release, Smith's acting career was sparse. She landed guest spots on TV shows like The Jeffersons and played Master P's mom in the straight-to-DVD film MP Da Last Don (1998)(Photo: Facebook)

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Dwan Smith - This relatively unknown actress played Sparkle's introspective sister Delores. After the 1976 film's release, Smith's acting career was sparse. She landed guest spots on TV shows like The Jeffersons and played Master P's mom in the straight-to-DVD film MP Da Last Don (1998)(Photo: Facebook)

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Mary Alice - Before Whitney Houston landed the mother role in the remake, actress Mary Alice played it. Since then, the Emmy-winning thespian has maintained an illustrious acting career, starring in the classic hip hop film Beat Street (1984), hit TV sitcom A Different World and in 2003's The Matrix Revolutions.(Photo: Jemal Countess/WireImage)

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Mary Alice - Before Whitney Houston landed the mother role in the remake, actress Mary Alice played it. Since then, the Emmy-winning thespian has maintained an illustrious acting career, starring in the classic hip hop film Beat Street (1984), hit TV sitcom A Different World and in 2003's The Matrix Revolutions.(Photo: Jemal Countess/WireImage)

Dorian Harewood - In the '76 cult classic, Harewood played Stix's street-savvy buddy Levi. Three years later, the actor earned his breakthrough role playing Alex Haley's father in Roots: The Next Generation. Harewood has stayed busy lending his deep, baritone voice to animated programs such as The Batman.(Photo: Mike Stotts / WENN)

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Dorian Harewood - In the '76 cult classic, Harewood played Stix's street-savvy buddy Levi. Three years later, the actor earned his breakthrough role playing Alex Haley's father in Roots: The Next Generation. Harewood has stayed busy lending his deep, baritone voice to animated programs such as The Batman.(Photo: Mike Stotts / WENN)

Tony King - With his cool, conniving stare, Tony King gave Sparkle edge wth his street hustler character Satin. The one-time NFL player has had a sporadic acting career, landing most of his work on hit '80s shows like B.J. and the Bear and Magnum P.I. He's also done security work for Minister Louis Farrakhan and the rap group Public Enemy.(Photo: Warner Bros Pictures)

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Tony King - With his cool, conniving stare, Tony King gave Sparkle edge wth his street hustler character Satin. The one-time NFL player has had a sporadic acting career, landing most of his work on hit '80s shows like B.J. and the Bear and Magnum P.I. He's also done security work for Minister Louis Farrakhan and the rap group Public Enemy.(Photo: Warner Bros Pictures)

Curtis Mayfield - The legendary singer-songwriter scored the film's classic sountrack, which has been covered by pop singers from En Vogue to Mary J. Blige. After being paralyzed by a stage accident in Brooklyn in 1990, Mayfield continued his iconic music-making career until his death in 1999.(Photo: Hulton Archive/Getty Images)

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Curtis Mayfield - The legendary singer-songwriter scored the film's classic sountrack, which has been covered by pop singers from En Vogue to Mary J. Blige. After being paralyzed by a stage accident in Brooklyn in 1990, Mayfield continued his iconic music-making career until his death in 1999.(Photo: Hulton Archive/Getty Images)