Howard Rollins
Biography
Howard Rollins was an American television, film, and stage actor. He was born on October 17, 1950, in Baltimore, Maryland, United States, and died on December 8, 1996, at the age of 46. During his career, he accumulated thirty-two known acting credits across movies and television shows. He is perhaps best known for his portrayal of Coalhouse Walker Junior in Ragtime and Virgil Tibbs on In the Heat of the Night. His work spanned multiple mediums, establishing him as a notable performer in television, film, and stage productions.
Career overview
Howard Rollins was an American television, film, and stage actor who was born in Baltimore, Maryland, on October 17, 1950, and passed away on December 8, 1996, at the age of 46. Throughout his career in the entertainment industry, Rollins established himself as a versatile performer with credits across multiple mediums.
He is perhaps best known for his roles as Coalhouse Walker Junior in Ragtime and as Virgil Tibbs on In the Heat of the Night. His work on stage, television, and film contributed to a substantial body of acting credits, totaling 32 known credits according to official databases.
Rollins was also known professionally by the alternative name Howard R. His life and career spanned several decades before his death in late 1996, leaving behind a recognized legacy in American film and television acting.
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Frequent co-stars
Career timeline
Full Filmography
32 titles- Remembering Ragtime (2004) as Coalhouse Walker Jr. (archive footage)
- Drunks (1997) as Joseph
- Remember WENN (1996) as George Smith
- Harambee! (1996) as Chimbuko
- New York Undercover (1994) as Reverend Hundley
- The Legacy of Malthus (1994) as Self (Population Institute, 1993) (archive footage)
- With Murder in Mind (1992) as Samuel Carver
- On the Block (1990) as Clay Beasley
- In the Heat of the Night (1988) as Virgil Tibbs
- En el calor de la noche (1988) as Chief of Detectives Virgil Tibbs
- Johnnie Mae Gibson: FBI (1986) as T.C. Russell
- The Children of Times Square (1986) as Otis Travis
- The Boy King (1986) as Rev. Martin Luther King Sr.
- Wildside (1985)
- A Soldier's Story (1984) as Captain Davenport
- The House of God (1984) as Chuck Johnston
- The House of Dies Drear (1984) as Walter Small
- He's Fired, She's Hired (1984) as Raoul
- A Doctor's Story (1984) as Dr. Zack Williams
- For Us, the Living: The Story of Medgar Evers (1983) as Medgar Evers
- American Playhouse (1982) as Medgar Evers
- The Neighborhood (1982) as Allen Campbell
- The Member of the Wedding (1982) as Honey Brown
- Ragtime (1981) as Coalhouse Walker Jr.
- Chytilová Versus Forman (1981) as Self
- Thornwell (1981) as Carson
- Fridays (1980) as Self
- Roots: The Next Generations (1979) as George Haley
- My Old Man (1979) as Doctor
- King (1978) as Andrew Young
- The Trial of the Moke (1978) as James Smith
- Another World (1964)
Frequently Asked Questions
What movies or TV shows is Howard Rollins best known for?
Howard Rollins is widely recognized for notable roles and projects including Rules of Engagement (2000), New York Undercover (1994), With Murder in Mind (1992), Toy Story (1995).
When and where was Howard Rollins born?
Howard Rollins was born on October 17, 1950 in Baltimore, Maryland, U.S.. They passed away on December 8, 1996.
How many credits does Howard Rollins have?
Howard Rollins has accumulated over 32 film and television credits across a career spanning from 1964 to 2004.
What is Howard Rollins's background in cinema and television?
Howard Rollins was an American television, film, and stage actor. He was born on October 17, 1950, in Baltimore, Maryland, United States, and died on December 8, 1996, at the age of 46. During his career, he accumulated thirty-two known acting credits across movies and television shows. He is perhaps best known for his...
Howard Rollins by the numbers
Age in their best-rated roles
- The House of Dies Drear (1984) as Walter Small — aged about 33
- Remember WENN (1996) as George Smith — aged about 45
- In the Heat of the Night (1988) as Virgil Tibbs — aged about 37
- Roots: The Next Generations (1979) as George Haley — aged about 28
- New York Undercover (1994) as Reverend Hundley — aged about 43
- Ragtime (1981) as Coalhouse Walker Jr. — aged about 30
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