Hill Street Blues star Taurean Blacque passes away at 82

After hearing the tragic news of Taurean Blacque’s passing on Thursday, the acting community is in grief.

The actor died in Atlanta at the age of 82. He was best known for his role as Detective Neal Washington in the hit NBC crime drama series Hill Street Blues.

The news of Blacque’s passing was broken to Deadline by his family, who stated that he had been suffering an ailment that had not been made public during the time of his passing.

Even though his first show was with the Negro Ensemble Company in New York, Blacque would go on to become a well-known character actor and TV guest star. He first appeared on the TV show What’s Happening!! and then did guest spots on Sanford and Son, Wonderbug, The Tony Randall Show, Charlie’s Angels, The Bob Newhart Show, Taxi, and Good Times. Blacque’s role as Detective Neal Washington in all seven seasons of Hill Street Blues, however, would make him a well-known actor and even get him a nomination for a Primetime Emmy.

Blacque was noted for being a public face for adoption advocacy in addition to his work, which included performances in feature films such as Rocky II, The Hunter, Oliver & Company, and DeepStar Six. In addition, Blacque’s career included appearances in television shows. The Associated Press reports that Blacque had two biological children in addition to eleven adopted children. In 1989, Blacque was approached by former President George H.W. Bush, who requested that she “become the national spokesperson for adoption.”

Twelve children, eighteen grandchildren, and two great-great grandchildren survive Blacque. His family is in our thoughts during this trying moment.