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Howard E. Rollins Jr. (1950–1996)

Actor

Howard E. Rollins Jr. was born in Baltimore, Maryland in 1950. He was the youngest of four children born to Howard E. Rollins Sr. (steelworker) and Ruth R. Rollins (domestic worker). Rollins graduated from Towson State College, where he studied theater. His first break into acting came when a friend convinced him to try out for a role in "Of Mice and Men" at a local Baltimore theater... See full bio »

Born:

Howard Ellsworth Rollins Jr.
in Baltimore, Maryland, USA

Died:

(age 46) in New York City, New York, USA
Still of Debbie Allen and Howard E. Rollins Jr. in Ragtime Still of Howard E. Rollins Jr. in Ragtime Still of Carroll O'Connor, Alan Autry, Anne-Marie Johnson and Howard E. Rollins Jr. in In the Heat of the Night Still of Carroll O'Connor and Howard E. Rollins Jr. in In the Heat of the Night Still of Carroll O'Connor and Howard E. Rollins Jr. in In the Heat of the Night Still of Howard E. Rollins Jr. in In the Heat of the Night
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My Demo Reel -- Includes clips from GLORY DAZE, COMMUNITY and horror film URBAN EXPLORER.

My Demo Reel

Francine Locke Film Reel -- Family Law (Best Actress, Gideon), Stealing Home (Best Supporting Actress-nom.) 168 Project, True Tale Monster (Albert P. Weisman Award), The Discarded (2011 Feature Release).

Francine Locke Film Reel

Christopher Mann's Theatrical Demo Reel -- This reel contains Christopher performing in Film and Television. The clips included are from the following: "The Boundary", "The Wire", "Duplicity", "Law & Order(SVU)", "Michael Clayton", "Cost Of A Soul", "HEROES" and "Law & Order (CI)".

Christopher Mann's Theatrical Demo Reel

Franklin Ojeda Smith - -- "...back in the day the 'barb wire' was more visible" and early on I chose baseball over acting; then academia and not baseball. Now,"...the kids are grown, the dog is dead and now that I may, I choose acting." Please take a look: 1)Boardwalk Empire - Deacon Cuffy 2)Murder Incorporated - Sam Christenson 3)Cayman Went - Aniston Turnkey 4)Letting Go -Therapist 5)Footsteps in the Sand - Jim. Thank You! Franklin

Franklin Ojeda Smith -

Melanie Molnar - Reel -- No description provided.

Melanie Molnar - Reel


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Nominated for Oscar. Another 3 nominations See more awards »

Known For


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Filmography

Jump to: Actor | Self | Archive Footage
Hide HideActor (28 titles)
1996 Harambee! (TV movie)
Chimbuko (as Howard Rollins)
 
1996 Remember WENN (TV series)
George Smith
– The Emperor Smith (1996) … George Smith
 
1995 Drunks
Joseph (as Howard Rollins)
 
1995 New York Undercover (TV series)
Reverend Hundley
– The Smoking Section (1995) … Reverend Hundley (as Howard Rollins)
 
1988-1994 In the Heat of the Night (TV series)
Chief of Detectives Virgil Tibbs / Attorney Virgil Tibbs
– Conspiracy of One (1994) … Attorney Virgil Tibbs
– Good Cop, Bad Cop (1994) … Attorney Virgil Tibbs
– Virgil Tibbs: Attorney at Law (1993) … Attorney Virgil Tibbs
– A Correct Settling (1993) … Chief of Detectives Virgil Tibbs (as Howard Rollins) (credit only)
– Lake Winahatchie (1993) … Chief of Detectives Virgil Tibbs (as Howard Rollins) (credit only)
See all 121 episodes »
 
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
– Until the Fat Lady Sings (1985) … Bannister Sparks
– Buffalo Who? (1985) … Bannister Sparks
– Don't Keep the Home Fires Burning (1985) … Bannister Sparks
– The Crimea of the Century (1985) … Bannister Sparks
– Delinquency of a Miner (1985) … Bannister Sparks
See all 6 episodes »
 
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 House of Dies Drear (TV movie)
Walter Small
 
1984 The House of God
Chuck Johnston
 
1983 Moving Right Along (TV series)
(1983)
 
1983 American Playhouse (TV series)
Medgar Evers
– For Us the Living: The Medgar Evers Story (1983) … Medgar Evers
 
1982 The Member of the Wedding (TV movie)
Honey Brown
 
1982 Another World (TV series)
Ed Harding
– Episode dated 30 July 1982 (1982) … Ed Harding (as Howard Rollins)
 
1982 The Neighborhood (TV movie)
Allen Campbell
 
1981 Ragtime
Coalhouse Walker Jr.
 
1981 All My Children (TV series)
F. B. I. Agent (early 1980s)
– Episode #1.2979 (1981) … 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
– Episode #1.7 (1979) … George Haley (uncredited)
 
1978 King (TV mini-series)
Andrew Young
– Episode #1.3 (1978) … Andrew Young (as Howard Rollins)
– Episode #1.2 (1978) … Andrew Young (as Howard Rollins)
– Episode #1.1 (1978) … Andrew Young (as Howard Rollins) (credit only)
 
1978 The Trial of the Moke (TV movie)
 
Show ShowSelf (9 titles)
1999 The Directors (TV series documentary)
Himself
– The Films of Norman Jewison (1999) … Himself
 
1989-1990 The Arsenio Hall Show (TV series)
Himself
– Episode dated 26 June 1990 (1990) … Himself
– Episode #1.80 (1989) … Himself (as Howard Rollins)
 
1990 The 11th Annual Black Achievement Awards (TV special)
Himself
 
1989 Ebony/Jet Showcase (TV series)
Himself
– Episode dated 26 May 1989 (1989) … Himself
 
1987 Dear America: Letters Home from Vietnam (TV documentary) (voice / as Howard Rollins Jr.)
 
1983 The 4th Annual Black Achievement Awards (TV special)
Himself
 
1982 The 54th Annual Academy Awards (TV special documentary)
Himself - Nominee: Best Actor in a Supporting Role & Co-Presenter: Best Art Direction
 
1982 Fridays (TV series)
Himself - Guest Host
– Episode #3.14 (1982) … Himself - Guest Host
 
1981 Today (TV series)
Himself
– Episode dated 29 December 1981 (1981) … Himself
 
Show ShowArchive Footage (3 titles)
2004 Remembering 'Ragtime' (video documentary short)
Coalhouse Walker Jr. (uncredited)
 
1999 Another World (TV series)
 
1997 The 69th Annual Academy Awards (TV special)
Himself (Memorial Tribute)
 

Related Videos

A Soldier's Story -- Trailer for A Soldier's Story
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Personal Details

Other Works:

We Interrupt This Program... (1975). Mystery/thriller. Written by Norman Krasna. Directed by Jerry Adler. Ambassador Theatre: 1 Apr 1975- 5 Apr 1975 (7 performances + 21 previews). Cast included: Dick Anthony Williams, Frederick Coffin, Albert Hall, Brandon Maggart, Holland Taylor, Taurean Blacque, Marshall Borden... See more »

Alternate Names:

Howard Rollins Jr. | Howard E. Rollins | Howard Rollins

Height:

6' (1.83 m)
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Did You Know?

Personal Quote:

[on having been offered $40,000 for his starring role in 'A Soldier's Story'] This project is being referred to as 'special, 'unusual', 'different', but when you cut through the bullshit it's because it's a black production. I'm tired of words like 'prestige' and 'dedication'. Sure, we're dedicated. but for no money. See more »

Trivia:

Battled substance abuse problems for many years before his untimely death. See more »

Nickname:

Ho Ro See more »

Star Sign:

Libra