A Family Thing (1996)
Earl Pilcher Jr. runs an equipment rental outfit in Arkansas, lives with his wife and kids and parents, and rarely takes off his gimme cap. His mother dies, leaving a letter explaining he's not her natural son, but the son of a Black woman who died in childbirth; plus, he has a half brother Ray, in Chicago, she wants him to visit. Earl makes the trip, initially receiving a cold welcome from Ray and Ray's son, Virgil. His birth mother's sister, Aunt T., an aged and blind matriarch, takes Earl in tow and insists that the family open up to him.
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Cast
Robert Duvall
as Earl Pilcher Jr.
Robert Selden Duvall (January 5, 1931 – February 15, 2026) was an American actor and filmmaker. He is the recipient of an Academy Award, four Golden Globe Awards, a BAFTA Award, two Primetime Emmy Awa...
James Earl Jones
as Ray Murdock
James Earl Jones (January 17, 1931 – September 9, 2024) was an American actor. He was described as "one of America's most distinguished and versatile" actors for his performances on stage and screen,...
Michael Beach
as Virgil
Michael Anthony Beach (born October 30, 1963) is an American actor. He has appeared in films Lean on Me (1989), One False Move (1992), Short Cuts (1993), Waiting to Exhale (1995), A Family Thing (1996...
Irma P. Hall
as Aunt T.
Irma P. Hall is an American film and television actress, best known for playing matriarchal figures in feature films like "A Family Thing", "Soul Food", and "The Ladykillers"..
Grace Zabriskie
as Ruby
Grace Zabriskie (born May 17, 1941) is an American actress. She has appeared in many popular American films and television series such as Twin Peaks and Big Love..
Regina Taylor
as Ann
Regina Taylor is an American actress and playwright. She has won several awards throughout her career, including a Golden Globe Award and NAACP Image Award. In July 2017, Taylor was announced as the n...
Director
Richard Pearce
