Born: October 17, 1950 – Died: December 8, 1996
Howard E. Rollins Jr., born in Baltimore, Maryland in 1950, was the youngest among four siblings in his family. His parents, Howard E. Rollins Sr. and Ruth R. Rollins, held humble occupations as a steelworker and a domestic worker, respectively. Rollins pursued his passion for acting after graduating from Towson State College, where he studied theater. His journey in the entertainment industry began with a surprise opportunity in a local Baltimore theater production of "Of Mice and Men." This talented actor later made a name for himself, earning an Oscar nomination for his role as Coalhouse Walker Jr. and an Emmy nomination for his work on the hit TV series. Tragically, Rollins' life was cut short in 1996 due to complications from lymphoma, leaving behind a lasting legacy in the world of entertainment.
Early Life and Career
Howard E. Rollins Jr.'s childhood in Baltimore, Maryland, laid the foundation for his remarkable journey in the entertainment industry. Graduating from Towson State College with a degree in theater, he embarked on his acting career with a breakthrough role in a local Baltimore theater production of "Of Mice and Men." His talent was evident, propelling him to New York City in 1974, where he would further hone his skills.
Rollins' first major success came with an Oscar nomination for his portrayal of Coalhouse Walker Jr. His remarkable performance garnered attention and acclaim. However, it was his portrayal of Virgil Tibbs in the long-running hit TV series "In the Heat of the Night," based on the 1967 movie of the same name, that catapulted him to stardom. His role as Tibbs solidified his place in Hollywood and endeared him to audiences worldwide.
Throughout his career, Rollins was recognized for his exceptional talent, earning nominations and accolades. He remains remembered for his contributions to the entertainment industry and his unique impact on Hollywood. His life was tragically cut short in 1996 due to complications from lymphoma, leaving behind a legacy as a talented and influential actor in the world of entertainment.
Filmography
| Year | Title | Role |
|---|---|---|
| 1996 | Harambee! (TV Movie) | Chimbuko (as Howard Rollins) |
| 1996 | Remember WENN (TV Series) | George Smith |
| 1995 | Drunks | Joseph (as Howard Rollins) |
| 1995 | New York Undercover (TV Series) | Reverend Hundley (as Howard Rollins) |
| 1988–1994 | In the Heat of the Night (TV Series) | Attorney Virgil Tibbs | Chief of Detectives Virgil Tibbs (as Howard Rollins) |
| 1992 | With Murder in Mind (TV Movie) | Samuel Carver (as Howard Rollins) |
| 1990 | On the Block | Clay Beasley (as Howard Rollins) |
| 1986 | Johnnie Mae Gibson: FBI (TV Movie) | T.C. Russell (as Howard Rollins) |
| 1986 | The Children of Times Square (TV Movie) | Otis Travis |
| 1986 | The Boy King (TV Movie) | Martin Luther King Sr. |
| 1985 | Wildside (TV Series) | Bannister Sparks |
| 1984 | The House of Dies Drear (TV Movie) | Walter Small |
| 1984 | He's Fired, She's Hired (TV Movie) | Raoul |
| 1984 | A Soldier's Story | Captain Davenport |
| 1984 | A Doctor's Story (TV Movie) | Dr. Zack Williams |
| 1984 | The House of God | Chuck Johnston |
| 1983 | Moving Right Along (TV Series) | (1983) |
| 1983 | American Playhouse (TV Series) | Medgar Evers |
| 1982 | The Member of the Wedding (TV Movie) | Honey Camden Brown |
| 1982 | Another World (TV Series) | Ed Harding |
| 1982 | The Neighborhood (TV Movie) | Allen Campbell |
| 1981 | Ragtime | Coalhouse Walker Jr. |
| 1981 | All My Children (TV Series) | F. B. I. Agent (early 1980s) |
| 1981 | Thornwell (TV Movie) | Carson |
| 1979 | My Old Man (TV Movie) | Doctor |
| 1979 | Roots: The Next Generations (TV Mini Series) | George Haley (as Howard Rollins) |
| 1978 | The Trial of the Moke (TV Movie) | James Smith |
| 1978 | King (TV Mini Series) | Andrew Young (as Howard Rollins) |
| 1972 | Our Street (TV Series) | Slick |