Taurean Blacque, the actor best known for his Emmy-nominated performance as a detective on the critically acclaimed NBC drama series “Hill Street Blues,” died Thursday in Atlanta. He was 82.
His family announced the death in a statement. It gave no cause and only said he died after a short illness.
Mr. Blacque, who began his career as a stage actor in New York, had several television appearances to his credit when he landed his breakthrough role in 1981: the clever detective Neal Washington in “Hill Street Blues,” who was praised for his realistic portrayal of everyday reality. of police work and was nominated for 98 Emmy Awards in its seven seasons, 26 of which.
The role of Washington, Mr. Blacque later recalled, was written sketchily, and it was his choice to play the character so quietly and thoughtfully. “I think the original concept was that hip, black guy, you know,” he told TV Guide. “But I wanted to turn it around a bit, give him some depth, not fall into that stereotype.”
mr. Blacque was nominated for a 1982 Primetime Emmy for Best Supporting Actor in a Drama Series, but lost to fellow cast member Michael Conrad. (All of the nominees in the category that year — the others being Charles Haid, Michael Warren, and Bruce Weitz — were members of the “Hill Street Blues” cast.)
“Hill Street Blues” ended in 1987 and two years later, Mr. Blacque along with Vivica A. Fox and others in the NBC soap opera “Generations”. Probably the most racially diverse daytime drama of its time, “Generations” dealt with the relationship over the years between two Chicago families, one white and one black. Mr. Blacque played the owner of a chain of ice cream parlors.
He later moved to Atlanta, where he was active in the local theater scene, performing in productions of August Wilson’s “Jitney,” James Baldwin’s “The Amen Corner” and other plays. He was also involved in the National Black Theater Festival in Winston-Salem, NC
Taurean Blacque was born Herbert Middleton Jr. on May 10, 1940 in Newark. His father was a dry cleaner, his mother a nurse.
He graduated from Arts High School in Newark, but didn’t decide to pursue an acting career until he was nearly 30 and working as a mail carrier. He enrolled at the American Musical and Dramatic Academy in New York in 1969, telling USA Today, “When I found out that acting was my niche, I put all my energy into it.”
He said he chose the stage name Taurean Blacque (Taurus was his astrological sign) in part as a way to get the attention of the casting directors. Finally, after several years of paying dues, he did.
His work in community theater in New York led to roles with the Negro Ensemble Company and eventually Hollywood, where he guest-starred in “Sanford and Son,” “Taxi,” “Charlie’s Angels,” “The Bob Newhart Show” and other TV. programs. series before being released on “Hill Street Blues”.
In addition to being an actor, Mr. Blacque, who had two biological sons and adopted 11 other children, was a supporter of adoption. He was the spokesperson for the Los Angeles County Adoption Service. In 1989, President George Bush appointed him as the national spokesperson for adoption.
Mr Blacque’s survivors include 12 children, 18 grandchildren and two great-grandchildren.
The Associated Press contributed coverage.