Sidney Poitier as Virgil Tibbs

Barbara McNair as Valerie Tibbs

Gerald S. O'Loughlin as Jack Pecora

Sheree North as Mrs. Morgan

Fred Beir as Bob Alford

Allen Garfield as Benjy

Bernie Hamilton as Lt. Jessop

Graham Jarvis as William Martin

Raúl Juliá as Juan Mendoza

Ron O'Neal as Joe Peralez

James A. Watson, Jr as Stacy Baker

Charles H. Gray as George Morgan

Jarion Monroe as Larry French

Daniel J. Travanti as Sgt. Chassman

Billy Green Bush as Dave Thomas

Max Gail as Rudy

Ross Hagen as Chet

Paul Jenkins as Tony

John Lasell as Zach Mills

Lani Miyazaki as Annie Sekido

Garry Walberg as Capt. Stacy

Demond Wilson as Charlie Blossom

George Spell as Andy Tibbs

Wanda Spell as Ginny Tibbs

Richard C. Adams as Dan

Johnny Haymer as John Bishop

John Alvin as Forensic Officer (uncredited)

Oscar Beregi Jr. as Andre (uncredited)

Mark Tapscott as Police Captain Grayson (uncredited)