TMC
02-23-2023, 01:33 AM
https://popculturereferences.com/five-great-thalmus-rasulala-guest-appearances/
In a feature spotlighting character actors who routinely do strong guest appearances on TV series, Brian spotlights five fine TV performances by Thalmus Rasulala.
https://popculturereferences.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/02/thalmus-rasulala-0-header-1024x512.jpg
Today, we look at five great guest appearances by Thalmus Rasulala.
This is “Following a Star,” a new feature where I spotlight five great guest spots by an actor who frequently did/does guest spots on TV series in their careers. It doesn’t mean that they’ve NEVER been regulars on shows, but obviously I’m not looking to spotlight people who are best known for their regular TV roles (like no Jason Alexander or Florence Henderson, for instance).
Since this is Black History Month, I’ll specifically spotlight Black character actors this month.
The actor now known as Thalmus Rasulala was born Jack Crowder, and he initially acted in theater under the name Crowder, including an appearance in the acclaimed all-Black 1967 production of Hello Dolly! that starred Pearl Bailey and Cab Calloway. However, in the early 1970s, Crowder starred in the “blacksploitation” film, Cool Breeze, and while he used the name Crowder on that film, at first, as well, by the time it was released he had adopted the stage name, Thalmus Rasulala, which he used for the rest of his career (his Cool Breeze character is the featured image for this post). He did other “blacksploitation” films, like Blacula, in the 1970s, but also began doing a number of notable guest spots on television shows.
What’s Happening!! (Bill Thomas)
https://popculturereferences.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/02/thalmus-rasulala-3-whats-happening.jpg
On the hit sitcom, What’s Happening!!, Rasulala probably had his most memorable TV role (and really, since his film roles were more of the cult classic variety, it’s probably his most well-known role period nowadays) as the estranged father of Raj and Dee (who left the family when Dee was just a month old). In his first appearance, he’s a total dirtbag (who thinks Rerun is his son at first) who tries to con his estranged wife out of money, but in later episodes, he is shown in a more positive light, just as sort of this other figure in Raj’s life.
In a feature spotlighting character actors who routinely do strong guest appearances on TV series, Brian spotlights five fine TV performances by Thalmus Rasulala.
https://popculturereferences.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/02/thalmus-rasulala-0-header-1024x512.jpg
Today, we look at five great guest appearances by Thalmus Rasulala.
This is “Following a Star,” a new feature where I spotlight five great guest spots by an actor who frequently did/does guest spots on TV series in their careers. It doesn’t mean that they’ve NEVER been regulars on shows, but obviously I’m not looking to spotlight people who are best known for their regular TV roles (like no Jason Alexander or Florence Henderson, for instance).
Since this is Black History Month, I’ll specifically spotlight Black character actors this month.
The actor now known as Thalmus Rasulala was born Jack Crowder, and he initially acted in theater under the name Crowder, including an appearance in the acclaimed all-Black 1967 production of Hello Dolly! that starred Pearl Bailey and Cab Calloway. However, in the early 1970s, Crowder starred in the “blacksploitation” film, Cool Breeze, and while he used the name Crowder on that film, at first, as well, by the time it was released he had adopted the stage name, Thalmus Rasulala, which he used for the rest of his career (his Cool Breeze character is the featured image for this post). He did other “blacksploitation” films, like Blacula, in the 1970s, but also began doing a number of notable guest spots on television shows.
What’s Happening!! (Bill Thomas)
https://popculturereferences.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/02/thalmus-rasulala-3-whats-happening.jpg
On the hit sitcom, What’s Happening!!, Rasulala probably had his most memorable TV role (and really, since his film roles were more of the cult classic variety, it’s probably his most well-known role period nowadays) as the estranged father of Raj and Dee (who left the family when Dee was just a month old). In his first appearance, he’s a total dirtbag (who thinks Rerun is his son at first) who tries to con his estranged wife out of money, but in later episodes, he is shown in a more positive light, just as sort of this other figure in Raj’s life.