Howard Rollins

Howard Ellsworth Rollins Jr. (October 17, 1950 - December 8, 1996) was an African American actor.

Related Topics:
October 17 - 1950 - December 8 - 1996 - African American

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Born in Baltimore, Maryland, he studied theater at Towson State College.

Related Topics:
Baltimore, Maryland - Towson State College

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He was nominated for an Emmy Award for Outstanding Supporting Actor in a Daytime Drama Series for his role on Another World. Rollins was also nominated for the 1981 Academy Award for Best Supporting Actor for his performance in the motion picture, RagTime.

Related Topics:
Emmy Award for Outstanding Supporting Actor in a Daytime Drama Series - Another World - Academy Award for Best Supporting Actor - RagTime

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In 1984, he starred in director Norman Jewison's film, A Soldier's Story that led to his role as "Virgil Tibbs" on the In the Heat of the Night television series based on Jewison's acclaimed motion picture of the same name.

Related Topics:
Norman Jewison's - A Soldier's Story - In the Heat of the Night

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In 1993, Rollins spent about a month in jail for driving under the influence and reckless driving. He pleaded guilty in 1992 to driving under the influence of a tranquilizer. He was sentenced to two days in jail and fined $1,000, and lost his driver's license. In 1988, Rollins pleaded guilty to driving under the influence and cocaine possession in Louisiana.

Related Topics:
Tranquilizer - Cocaine - Louisiana

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Because of his drug abuse and legal problems, Rollins saw his role in the series diminished. During the period when Rollins was in rehab, his character was said to be in New Orleans working with the FBI. Ultimately, Rollins was dropped from the In the Heat of the Night completely and was replaced by Carl Weathers.

Related Topics:
New Orleans - FBI - Carl Weathers

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Howard Rollins died in 1996 after complications from lymphoma and was interred in the Woodlawn Cemetery in his native Baltimore. He had been diagnosed with the condition approximately six weeks earlier.

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