Throwback Cinema Spotlight... Thalmus Rasulala

Thalmus Rasulala a.k.a Jack Crowder, was a prolific African - American actor most active in the 1970's... He played the leading man in many blaxploitation flicks
during that time. He was born 15 November 1939, Miami, Florida, USA. He Attended The University of Redlands.

Thalmus Co-starred in 70s blaxploitation films as the vampire killer in Blacula (1972) and in the films Cool Breeze (1972) and Willie Dynamite (1974).

He Won a Theater World award during the 1967-1968 season playing Cornelius Hackl to Pearl Bailey's Dolly Levi in the all-black revival of "Hello, Dolly!" He was using his real name, Jack Crowder, at the time.

His most famous role is playing Bill Thomas, Roger and Dee's father, on the 1970's television show "What's Happening!!" (1976).

He is referred to as "Jack Crowder" (his real name) by one of his on screen co-stars in the Andrew Davis film "The Package", in which he played the Secret Service Commander. He Died 9 October 1991, Albuquerque, New Mexico, USA of a heart attack.