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Unnatural Causes is an American television film directed by Lamont Johnson and with a screenplay by Stephen Doran, Martin M. Goldstein, and Robert Jacobs that is based on the true story of Maude DeVictor; a United States Department of Veterans Affairs councelor who worked to expose the government coverup of the dangers of Agent Orange. The film premiered on CBS on November 10, 1986. The film stars Alfre Woodard as Maude DeVictor, John Ritter as Frank Coleman, Patti LaBelle as Jeanette Thompson, John Vargas as Fernando 'Nando' Sanchez, Belinda Lang as Helen Cassady, and Richard Yearwood as Vincent. For their work, Woodard was nominated for the Primetime Emmy Award for Outstanding Lead Actress in a Limited Series or Movie and Johnson was nominated for the Primetime Emmy Award for Outstanding Directing for a Limited Series, Movie, or Dramatic Special.
Original Release
11/10/1986
US Release
11/10/1986
Cast
| Name | Character |
|---|
| John Ritter | Frank Coleman |
| Alfre Woodard | Maude DeVictor |
| Patti LaBelle | Jeanette Thompson |
| John Vargas | Fernando 'Nando' Sanchez / Nando Sanchez |
| Frederick Allen | Kid |
| Richard Anthony Crenna | Soldier |
| Jonathan Welsh | Dr. Lester |
| Luba Goy | Rena |
| Roger Steffens | Golub |
| Richard Yearwood | Vincent |
Directors
Writers
John Sayles, Stephen Doran, Martin M. Goldstein, Robert Jacobs
Cast
| Name | Character |
|---|
| John Ritter | Frank Coleman |
| Alfre Woodard | Maude DeVictor |
| Patti LaBelle | Jeanette Thompson |
| John Vargas | Fernando 'Nando' Sanchez / Nando Sanchez |
| Frederick Allen | Kid |
| Richard Anthony Crenna | Soldier |
| Jonathan Welsh | Dr. Lester |
| Luba Goy | Rena |
| Roger Steffens | Golub |
| Richard Yearwood | Vincent |
| Dee McCafferty | Eddie |
| Leslie Carlson | Bob |
| Eugene Clark | Roberts |
| Bob Warner | Tex |
| J. Winston Carroll | Moore |
| Benjamin Barrett | Randy |
| Gwen E. Davis | Ethel Owens |
| Thomas Hauff | Sloan |
| Marie McCann | Phillipa |
| Joyce Gordon | Myra |
Producers
| Name | Role |
|---|
| Robert M. Myman | Executive Producer |
| Blue André | Executive Producer |
| Stephen Doran | Producer |
| Martin M. Goldstein | Producer |
| Blue André | Producer |
Editors
| Year | Type | Category | Won |
|---|
| 1987 | Golden Globe | Best Miniseries or Motion Picture Made for Television | Nominated |
| 1987 | Golden Globe | Best Performance by an Actor in a Miniseries or Motion Picture Made for Television | Nominated |
| 1987 | Emmy | Outstanding Directing in a Miniseries or a Special | Nominated |
| 1987 | Emmy | Outstanding Drama/Comedy Special | Nominated |
| 1987 | Emmy | Outstanding Editing for a Miniseries or a Special - Single Camera Production | Nominated |
| 1987 | Emmy | Outstanding Lead Actress in a Miniseries or a Special | Nominated |
| 1987 | Emmy | Outstanding Sound Editing for a Miniseries or a Special | Won |
| 1987 | Emmy | Outstanding Sound Mixing for a Drama Miniseries or a Special | Won |
