Back to peopleHoward RollinsKnown forActingBornOctober 17, 1950DiedDecember 8, 1996Place of birthBaltimore, Maryland, U.S.BiographyLife and careerHoward Rollins (October 17, 1950 – December 8, 1996) was an American television, film, and stage actor. He is perhaps best known for his portrayal of Coalhouse Walker Jr. in Ragtime and Virgil Tibbs on In the Heat of the Night.Filmography1 filmsAll1Acting1Ragtime1981as Coalhouse Walker Jr.