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Hoodlum (1997) - Set in 1930s Harlem, this high-octane crime drama told the fictionalized tale of Black gansters fending off Jewish mobster Dutch Shultz from muscling in on their numbers racket. Focusing primarily on legendary hustlers like Bumpy Johnson and Stephanie St. Clair, the film put a retaliatory, blaxploitation slant (the Harlem hustlers never fought back) to a piece of well-known crime history.On the fifteenth anniversary of the film's release, here's a look at the cast that made a piece of urban history. (Photo: United Artists Pictures)

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Laurence Fishburne - Laurence Fishburne was cast as Harlem crime legend Bumpy Johnson. The Tony Award-winning actor has maintained his illustrious career, starring in such hit franchises as The Matrix and the TV series CSI: Crime Scene Investigation. (Photo: Jason Merritt/Getty Images)

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Vanessa Williams - Vanessa Williams played the role of Francine Hughes, Bumpy's wife. The former Miss America has enjoyed both a noteworthy singing and acting career. The Emmy nominee has starred in long-running shows Ugly Betty and Desperate Housewives.(Photo: Michael Loccisano/Getty Images)

Photo By Photo: Michael Loccisano/Getty Images

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Andy Garcia - The Cuban-born actor was a smooth and cunning Lucky Luciano. The immensely private Garcia consistantly stays on the big screen, doing everything from comedies like The Pink Panther 2 (2009) to crime thrillers (Ocean's Eleven). (Photo: Alberto E. Roriguez/Getty Images)

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Cicely Tyson - As Harlem's numbers racket queen Stephanie St. Clair, Cicely Tyson displayed her seasoned regality. Tyler Perry has steadily cast the Oscar-nominated legend in his productions, including Madea's Family Reunion. Tyson also starred in The Help. (Photo: Frederick M. Brown/Getty Images)

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Loretta Devine - Who could forget a character named Pigfoot Mary (played by Loretta Devine). While the veteran actress has starred in numerous films, she's also been cast in a number of TV shows, including Boston Public and Grey's Anatomy. You can currently catch Devine on the cable series The Client List. (Photo: Kevin Winter/Getty Images)

Photo By Photo: Kevin Winter/Getty Images

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Queen Latifah - Queen Latifah was cast in the role of Sulie. Although the hip hop icon has built an A-list acting career, she's also become a Hollywood power player, producing shows like her upcoming self-tited talk show and the TV movie Steel Magnolias.(Photo: John Ricard / BET)

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Tim Roth - Tim Roth starred as ruthless Jewish gangster Dutch Shultz. The London-born actor, who was nominated for an Oscar for his role in the hit film Rob Roy, will be starring in the upcoming films A Fall From Grace and Mobius.   (Photo: Pascal Le Segretain/Getty Images)

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Chi McBride - The comedic actor was cast as Illinois Gordon. McBride is best known for his role as Steve Harper, which he's played on Boston Public, Boston Legal and The Practice. (Photo: Jason Merritt/Getty Images)

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Bill Duke - The diretcor of Hoodlum will forever be remembered as militant character Adbullah from the 1976 comedy classic Car Wash. Throughout his 40-year career, Bill Duke has spent as much time directing as he has acting. Last year, he completed and released his documentary on shade consciousness, Dark Girls.  (Photo: Frederick M. Brown/Getty Images)