Ji-Tu Cumbuka (March 4, 1940 – July 4, 2017) was an American actor. He is best remembered as "Torque" in the short-lived TV series A Man Called Sloane together with Robert Conrad and Dan O'Herlihy.
In 2011, Cumbuka published his autobiography A Giant to Remember: The Black Actor in Hollywood. He has a son and a granddaughter.
Early life Cumbuka was born in 1940 in Helena, Alabama, to a Baptist minister. After attending Texas Southern University he moved to California to pursue his acting career, and went to Columbia College in New York City, earning a Bachelor of Arts in theatre and a master's degree in cinematography. He landed a role in the 1968 movie Uptight directed by Jules Dassin.
Acting career Cumbuka appeared in such television productions as the Roots miniseries, Daniel Boone, Young Dan'l Boone, Knots Landing, The A-Team, The Dukes of Hazzard, Murder She Wrote, Walker, Texas Ranger, CSI: Crime Scene Investigation, Amen, 227, Sanford and Son, Hunter, In the Heat of the Night, and Matlock. He was a main cast member of the spy TV series A Man Called Sloane with Robert Conrad and Dan O'Herlihy.
Cumbuka also appeared in numerous films. He appeared as former NBA guard Oscar Robertson in the biodrama pic Maurie (1973) about the life of Maurice Stokes. In Harlem Nights (1989), he plays the toothless drunk gambler who gets shot over money. Other films in which he appeared include (but are not limited to) Change of Habit with Elvis Presley (1969), Blacula (1972), Trader Horn (1973), Lost in the Stars (1974), Mandingo (1975), Dr. Black, Mr. Hyde (1976), Bound for Glory (1976), The Jericho Mile (1979), Doin' Time (1985), Brewster's Millions (1985), Volunteers (1985), Out of Bounds (1986), Moving (1988), and Caged in Paradiso (1990). Cumbuka wrote, produce, and acted in the gospel musical play Help Somebody, co-starring with Kene Holliday, Hall Williams, Ali Woodson, and Glynn Turman. It debuted in Washington, D.C. in the late 90s.
Death Cumbuka died at the age of 77 on July 4, 2017, after a six-month battle with cancer. In a statement to CNN, Eddie Murphy said, "It's a sad day for everyone in the industry. He was a great actor and a good man."
Filmography Year Title Role Notes1968 Uptight Rick 1969 Change of Habit Hawk 1972 Top of the Heap Pot Peddler 1972 Blacula Skillet 1972 Up the Sandbox Black Captain 1973 Trader Horn Orange Stripe 1973 Maurie Oscar 1974 Lost in the Stars Johannes 1975 Mandingo Cicero 1976 Dr. Black, Mr. Hyde Lt. Jackson 1976 Bound for Glory Slim Snedeger - Hobo on Train 1977 Fun with Dick and Jane Guard 1977 Angela 1979 Walk Proud Sgt. Gannett 1984 Bachelor Party Alley Pimp 1985 Doin' Time Bernie Feldstein 1985 Brewster's Millions Melvin 1985 Volunteers Cicero 1986 Out of Bounds Lemar 1987 Outrageous Fortune Cab Driver 1988 Moving Edwards 1988 Glitch! Mookie 1989 Harlem Nights Toothless Gambler 1989 Murder, She Wrote Calder Williams 1990 Caged in Paradiso Josh 1993 Midnight Edition Reginald Brown
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