Trivia

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.

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.

Survived by his 12 children, 18 grandchildren, and two great-grand children.

His theatrical career continued during his run on Hill Street Blues , winning him an NAACP Image Award for Best Actor (Local) in 1985 for his role in Amen Corner.

After Hill Street ended, Blacque moved to Atlanta, Georgia, to provide a better home for his children. In Atlanta, he focused on theatrical work while making occasional guest appearances on television. Blacque's notable stage performances included Stepping Into Tomorrow with Yolanda King in 1987 and a 1988 revival of Ceremonies in Dark Old Men.

Before appearing on television, Blacque trained and performed at the New Federal Theatre in New York City, a theater founded to provide opportunities to minorities and women.

He was at onetime a national spokesman for adoptive services. Blacque was a Christian and his faith influenced his desire to be involved with adoption.

He stated that he chose the name "Taurean" because his astrological sign was Taurus.

In 1986 his stage roles included the male lead in the musical Don't Get God Started during its initial six-week summer run in Beverly Hills.