‘Hill Street Blues’ Star Taurean Blacque Dies At 82

Actor Taurean Blacque, who reached a career zenith for his Emmy Award-nominated role as Detective Neal Washington on the 1980s crime drama Hill Street Blues, died Thursday at the age of 82, his son Rodney Middleton announced on Facebook. There was no cause of his death, saying only that he passed away after a brief illness.

Born Herbert Middleton Jr. on May 10, 1940 in Newark, New Jersey, Blacque chose the name “Taurean” because his astrological sign was Taurus. Blacque trained and performed at the New Federal Theatre in New York City, a theater founded to provide opportunities to minorities and women. And he launched his career on television with guest appearances on series like What’s Happening!!, Sanford and Son, Charlie’s Angels, The Tony Randall Show, Taxi and Good Times.

Blacque’s big break came in 1981 with the aforementioned Hill Street Blues, which started out slow in the traditional Nielsen ratings but built after the critics took notice. His Emmy nomination came in 1982 in the category of Outstanding Supporting Actor in a Drama Series (which, ironically, featured nominations for four of his co-stars).

During the hiatus periods on Hill Street Blues, Blacque appeared in theater and, in 1985, he won an NAACP Image Award for Best Actor (Local) for his role in Amen Corner.

After Hill Street Blues concluded in 1987, Blacque moved with his family to Atlanta, Georgia, where he focused on theatrical work while making occasional guest appearances on television. His stage performances included Stepping Into Tomorrow 1n 1987 and a 1988 revival of Ceremonies in Dark Old Men.

In 1989, Blacque began a 102-episode run as Henry Marshall in the daytime drama Generations, which was the first series in the genre to feature an African American family in the main storyline. And, in 1996, he returned to primetime in the short-lived serialized drama Savannah.

In addition to raising his two biological sons, Blacque adopted 11 children. He was named spokesman for the County of Los Angeles Adoption Services, and in 1989 was asked by President George H.W. Bush to become national spokesperson for adoption. One of Blacque’s sons pre-deceased him.

Blacque is survived by 12 children, 18 grandchildren and two great-great grandchildren.