WASHINGTON DC: The ‘black actor in Hollywood’ Ji-Tu Cumbuka, who appeared in movies like ‘Bound for Glory,’ ‘Brewster’s Millions’ and ‘Harlem Nights’ took his last breath at the age of 77.
According to the Hollywood Reporter, Cumbuka passed away in Atlanta, after a long illness, his niece, Amber Holifield, reported on Facebook.
Cumbuka portrayed the slave Wrestler on the landmark 1977 ABC miniseries ‘Roots’ and played opposite Richard Pryor in ‘Brewster’s Millions’ (1985), ‘Moving’ (1988) and as the character “Toothless Gambler" in ‘Harlem Nights’ (1989).
Born in Alabama on March 4, 1940, Cumbuka made his onscreen debut in ‘Uptight’ (1968), directed by Jules Dassin and then had a role in Elvis Presley's last film as an actor ‘Change of Habit’ (1969).