Robert Townsend is widely known for his contributions to Black film and television, with his 1991 musical drama The Five Heartbeats, co-written with In Living Color creator Keenen Ivory Wayans, being a cult classic. However, there is a question about one of the film’s characters that seems to be a source of contention among fans–what is the last name of Eddie?
On Sunday, Twitter user @starchildjr78 tweeted Townsend’s account to ask whether the name of Michael Wright’s character is Eddie Kane Jr. or Eddie King. Jr.
In one simple tweet, Townsend provided the answer and confirmed the character’s last name.
It is both! LOL! We wrote the character’s name as Eddie King but Michael Wright the actor, pronounced it with a southern twain. Hope that helps! https://t.co/TA86mMzNpZ
— Robert Townsend (@Robert_Townsend) December 22, 2019
Townsend revealed that both he and Wayans wrote the character’s name as Eddie King, Jr. but Wright would say the name with a southern twang, therefore it would come off as Eddie Kane, Jr.
For those unfamiliar, The Five Heartbeats starred Townsend, Wright, Leon Robinson, Harry J. Lennix and Tico Wells as members of a Motown inspired soul group.
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Photo: The Five Heartbeats
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