Heat Wave (1990 film)

Heat Wave is a 1990 American thriller-drama television film about the 1965 Los Angeles Watts Riots, directed by Kevin Hooks and starring Blair Underwood, Cicely Tyson, James Earl Jones, Margaret Avery, and David Strathairn.

Cast

 * Blair Underwood as Robert Richardson
 * Cicely Tyson as Ruthana Richardson
 * James Earl Jones as Junius Johnson
 * Margaret Avery as Roxie Turpin
 * David Strathairn as Bill Thomas
 * Glenn Plummer as J.T. Turpin
 * Vondie Curtis-Hall as Clifford Turpin
 * Paris Vaughan as Lada
 * Adam Arkin as Art Berman
 * Charlie Korsmo as 12-year-old Jason
 * Sally Kirkland as Mrs. Canfield
 * Mark Rolston as Officer Zekanis
 * Robert Hooks as Reverend Brooks
 * T.E. Russell as Dominique Freeman

Awards and nominations

 * CableACE Awards
 * Actress in a Movie or Miniseries – Cicely Tyson – won
 * Editing a Dramatic or Theatrical Special/Movie or Miniseries – Debra Neil – won
 * Movie or Miniseries – Jon Avnet, Jordan Kerner, Steve Golin, and Sigurjón Sighvatsson – won
 * Supporting Actor in a Movie or Miniseries – James Earl Jones – won
 * Directing a Movie or Miniseries – Kevin Hooks – nominated


 * Emmy Award
 * Outstanding Supporting Actor in a Miniseries or a Special – James Earl Jones – won


 * Writers Guild of America
 * Original Long Form – Michael Lazarou – nominated