Sidney Poitier as Virgil Tibbs

Martin Landau as Logan Sharpe

Barbara McNair as Valerie Tibbs

Anthony Zerbe as Rice Weedon

Ed Asner as Woody Garfield

Jeff Corey as Captain Marden

Norma Crane as Marge Garfield

Juano Hernández as Mealie Williamson

David Sheiner as Lt. Herb Kenner

Beverly Todd as Puff

Ted Gehring as Inspector Deutsch

Linda Towne as Joy Sturges

Garry Walberg as Medical Examiner

George Spell as Andy Tibbs

Wanda Spell as Ginger Tibbs

John Hillerman as Reporter (uncredited)

Hilly Hicks as Freddie (uncredited)

John Alvin as Reporter (uncredited)

Ted Christy as Pool Hall Patron (uncredited)

Vic Christy as Pool Hall Patron (uncredited)

Michael L. Davis as Police Sergeant at Campaign HQ (uncredited)

Dick Dial as Carson (uncredited)

Mickey Golden as Pool Player (uncredited)

Don Hanmer as Pusher (uncredited)

Carol Henry as Pool Hall Patron (uncredited)

Henry Leff as Reporter (uncredited)

Martin Strader as Pool Hall Patron (uncredited)

Kevin G. Tracey as Pool Hall Patron (uncredited)

Erick Vinther as Cameraman (uncredited)

Al White as Spectator Outside Church (uncredited)

Ted White as Hood at Pool Hall (uncredited)