Rockne Tarkington was an American actor who is best known for The Ice Pirates, Wyatt Earp, and The Banana Splits Adventure Hour. He was born on July 15, 1931, in Junction City, Kansas, and passed away on April 5, 2015.
Personal and Family Life
Rockne Tarkington was married twice; he first wed Joan Blackman in July 1968, and they had two children before divorcing in October 1970. He later married Iva Anita Poree on July 7, 1982, but this marriage also ended in divorce. Tarkington was the father of two children: Ngai Tarkington and Rockne Tarkington Jr.
A Career in Acting
Throughout his career, Rockne was noted for his roles in both movies and television. He was believed to be the first black actor to appear on The Andy Griffith Show and in a recurring role in a television series, Daktari. Tarkington was also considered for a role in the iconic film Enter the Dragon, but the part was ultimately given to his fellow castmate, Jim Kelly.
Death and Legacy
Rockne Tarkington passed away on April 5, 2015, in the United States. He was cremated, and his remains were given to his son. Tarkington’s contributions to film and television, especially as a trailblazer for black actors in Hollywood, have left a lasting legacy.
Filmography
| Title | Release Date | Character |
|---|---|---|
| The Ice Pirates | 1984-03-16 | Patch |
| Beware! The Blob | 1972-06-21 | Deputy Williams |
| Death Before Dishonor | 1987-02-20 | Jihad |
| Zebra Force | 1976-04-11 | Earl Lovington |
| Black Samson | 1974-08-14 | Samson |
| The No Mercy Man | 1973-01-01 | Prophet |
| Clarence, the Cross-Eyed Lion | 1965-08-04 | Juma |
| Fists Of Steel | 1991-01-01 | Rijar |
| The Intruder Within | 1981-02-20 | Mark |
| Black Starlet | 1974-12-01 | Ben |
| Under the Gun | 1988-04-25 | Leon |
| Melinda | 1972-08-06 | Tank |
| Uphill All the Way | 1986-01-01 | Leon |
| The Great Gundown | 1977-08-04 | |
| Soldier in the Rain | 1963-11-27 | William Booth |
| Disaster on the Coastliner | 1979-10-28 | |
| The Baltimore Bullet | 1980-04-01 | Gunner |
| Wyatt Earp | 1994-06-24 | Stable Hand |
| Women of San Quentin | 1983-10-23 | Big William |
| Roll of Thunder, Hear My Cry | 1978-06-02 | Morrison |
| National Lampoon’s Movie Madness | 1982-04-23 | Black Cop (“Municipalians”) |
| Roughnecks | 1980-07-15 | Lenny Booker |
| Major Dundee | 1965-04-07 | Jefferson (uncredited) |
| Showdown at Eagle Gap | 1982-01-30 | Enterprise Jackson |
| Handsome Harry’s | 1985-07-23 | Tank |
| Charleston | 1979-01-15 | Rev. Duchamp |
| The Desperate Trail | 1995-07-09 | Packo |
| The Ordeal of Patty Hearst | 1979-03-04 | Death Row |
| The Dream of Hamish Mose | 1969-12-31 | Hamish Mose |
| Tarzan | 1966-09-08 | Rao |
| MacGyver | 1985-09-29 | Jules |
| The Andy Griffith Show | 1960-10-03 | Flip Conroy |
| Mission: Impossible | 1966-09-17 | Paul Giroux |
| Lucky Luke | 1992-03-20 | Harp |
| Roll of Thunder, Hear My Cry | 1978-06-02 | Morrison |