- Born
- Died
- Birth nameHerbert Middleton Jr.
- Height1.83 m
- Although best known for his role as "Detective Sgt. Neal Washington" on the long-running and critically acclaimed police drama Capitaine Furillo (1981), Taurean Blacque was one of the best stage actors of his time. A long-time resident of Atlanta, Georgia, he performed in several productions at the Alliance Theatre of Atlanta. Among his notable roles were the James Baldwin play "The Amen Corner" opposite Carol Mitchell-Leon, Elizabeth Omilami and Crystal Fox; and as "Shealy" in the August Wilson play "Jitney" opposite such notables as John Lawhorn, John Beasley, Anthony Chisholm and Charles Canada. Both productions were directed by then-Alliance Artistic Director Kenny Leon. Noted for his involvement in the community as well, Blacque, who had two adult biological sons, adopted nine children in the late 1980s. A deeply spiritual man, he adopted the name "Taurean" from his astrological sign of "Taurus" and the name "Blacque" from his race.- IMDb mini biography by: L. J. Allen-2 (qv's & corrections by A. Nonymous)
- In 1989, he was asked by President George H. W. Bush to serve as a national spokesman for adoption.
- While appearing on Hill Street Blues he was nominated in 1982 for the Primetime Emmy Award for Outstanding Supporting Actor in a Drama Series, but lost to fellow Hill Street actor Michael Conrad, in a year in which all the nominees in the category came from the same series.
- In 1981 he joined the cast of the police drama Hill Street Blues, staying with the show throughout its run, which ended in 1987.
- Early in his acting career, Blacque began making guest appearances in sitcoms such as What's Happening!!, Sanford and Son, The Bob Newhart Show, The Tony Randall Show, Good Times, and Taxi, and auditioned for permanent roles on others, including Venus Flytrap on WKRP in Cincinnati, eventually played by Tim Reid.
- Survived by his 12 children, 18 grandchildren, and two great-grand children.
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