Photo: Everett

SAVANNAH, Taurean Blacque, 1996-97. © Spelling Entertainment / Courtesy: Everett Collection

Taurean Blacque, who starred in NBC’sHill Street BluesandGenerations, has died. He was 82.

The actor’s family confirmed toDeadlinethat Blacque died on Thursday in Atlanta following a brief illness.

Blacque is best known for playing the streetwise, no-nonsense, respected veteran Detective Neal Washington on all seven seasons of NBC’s acclaimed cop showHill Street Blues. In 1982, he received anEmmy nominationfor Outstanding Supporting Actor in a Drama Series for his role.

He also starred alongsideVivica A. Foxin the original cast of NBC’s daytime soap operaGenerations, which was the first series to include a Black family in the main storyline from its inception, according toThe Hollywood Reporter.

Robert Isenberg/NBCU Photo Bank/NBCUniversal/Getty

HILL STREET BLUES – “Fathers and Guns” Episode 709 – Pictured: (l-r) Kiel Martin as Det. Johnny “J.D.” LaRue, Taurean Blacque as Det. Neal Washington – (Photo by: Robert Isenberg/NBCU Photo Bank/NBCUniversal via Getty Images via Getty Images)

Never miss a story — sign up forPEOPLE’s free daily newsletterto stay up-to-date on the best of what PEOPLE has to offer, from juicy celebrity news to compelling human interest stories.

On how he settled on his stage name, the actor toldPlayboymagazine: “My heritage is black – spelled Q-U-E – and I’m a Taurus. I decided I needed a name change I could relate to. It looks good on a marquee and never fails to get attention in casting offices.”

His film credits includeRocky II,House Callsand the animatedOliver & Company. He also played another cop, Detective Michael Wheeler, on WB’s dramaSavannah, which was only on air for two seasons in 1996 and 1997.

source: people.com