Paul Williams' decline in health was attributed to alcoholism in the film. In reality, Williams suffered from sickle-cell anemia and continually refused to see doctors. He used alcohol to cope with his pains but eventually became too weak to perform. There is a scene depicting his sickle-cell anemia.
In the days leading up to his death, Eddie Kendricks performed one final concert. The effects of his cancer were so severe, that he had to take a break and sit with an oxygen tank after performing each song.
Melvin Franklin passed away in 1995; 3 years prior to the release of this film. He died after lapsing into a coma from numerous seizures, which were brought on by his compromised immune system.
Paul Williams' death was ruled a suicide. In the film, he is depicted as shooting himself in his car. In real life however, there were some factors at the scene of his death that suggest foul play. For starters, Paul was found lying next to his car in an alley, his body positioned as if he'd been standing. (Why get out of the car only to stand up and shoot himself? ) Paul was also right handed but had been shot on the left side of his head. Forensics proved that the gun that was used to kill Williams, was fired twice, yet Williams only sustained the one wound to the head. And finally, a bottle of liquor was found near Williams left side; positioned as if he had dropped the bottle while being shot.
When Otis visits Paul at home, Paul threatens to start a group with David and Eddie; claiming that there would soon be more "Ex" Temptations than Temptations. Unfortunately, this was a realistic fact. Since the group's inception in 1960, there have been at least 16 replacement singers in the Temptations lineup, while the number of members remained at 5.