Taurean Blacque, an actor, died at the age of 82 after a brief illness. His relatives made the announcement. His funeral arrangements are still being finalized. Blacque was well-known for his countless stage and television performances. However, it was his portrayal as Detective Neal Washington in the television series Hill Street Blues that made him famous.
Taurean Blacque’s character in Hill Street Blues
In the NBC police procedural series Hill Street Blues, Taurean Blacque portrayed Detective Neal Washington. He joined the program in 1981 and was nominated for an Emmy that year for Outstanding Supporting Actor In A Drama Series. Taurean’s character was a no-nonsense officer who always wore a toothpick and a hat. His police work, along with that of his colleague, Detective J.D. LaRue, sometimes violated the regulations. Although LaRue’s pranks sometimes frustrated Washington, the two remained devoted to one another.
Hill Street Blues was a television show that ran from January 1981 to May 1987 and followed the life of the policemen in a small police station on Hill Street. The program garnered good reviews from reviewers and audiences alike, and it was nominated for 26 Emmy Awards.
Everything there is to know about Taurean Blacque
Blacque, who was born on May 10, 1940, began his career in New York City’s New Federal Theater. He later appeared in sitcoms such as What’s Happening!!, The Bob Newhart Show, Good Times, and Taxi, among others. He got cast in Hill Street Blues after auditioning for other TV series. Following the show’s termination, he continued to participate in theater, winning an NAACP Image Award in 1985 for his role in Amen Corner.
He rose to prominence via his theater performances, notably the musical Don’t Get God Started. Taurean then relocated to Atlanta, Georgia, in order to create a better environment for his children, and he regularly performed on stage and on television. The actor became well-known for his roles in Yolanda King in 1987 and Ceremonies in Dark Old Men in 1988.
In the pilot episode of the CBS series Off-Duty, Blacque portrayed a police officer. In Disney’s animated feature Oliver & Company, he voiced the character Roscoe. He also portrayed Henry Marshall in the NBC soap serial Generations In 1989. He also starred in the science fiction film DeepStar Six the same year. Despite the fact that Blacque had never adopted a child, the County of Los Angeles Adoption Services office invited him to be their ambassador. Later, the actor stated that he couldn’t adopt a kid since he was unmarried. Blacque, on the other hand, ended up adopting 10 children and having two biological sons.
Twitter users pay tribute
Taurean Blacque was a well-known personality in the entertainment world for his faultless on-screen performances. When word of his death spread on Twitter, many shared their sorrow. Almost everyone who paid respect to the actor recalled him as Detective Neal Washington, demonstrating the influence he had on the audience.
“Hill Street Blues” star Taurean Blacque was from Newark. RIP. https://t.co/9OWIegoXKh
— Amy Kuperinsky (@AmyKup) July 22, 2022
Taurean Blacque – Det. Neal Washington RIP today
— rick monday (@whowantspie) July 22, 2022
