Charles McKnight, the talented actor who brought to life the title role in the cult horror classic series JD’s Revenge, has passed away. He was 87 years old at the time of his passing. His good friend and publicist, Cynthia Busby, confirmed that McKnight passed away from cancer in Las Vegas on Sunday.
McKnight was known not only for his leading role in JD’s Revenge but also for his appearances in Hollywood Shuffle, in which he was directed by Robert Townsend. He appeared in numerous TV shows such as Kojak, Hill Street Blues, The Incredible Hulk, Dynasty, Benson, The District, and many more.
Arthur Marks’ New Orleans-blues film JD’s Revenge, McKnight portrayed the protagonist who avenged his own death; a spirit that takes over a college student played by Glynn Truman. This hysterical twist brought McKnight’s creativity to the big screen.
In a 2018 interview, McKnight shared valuable advice that he had given Robert Townsend when they first met. This advice led him to be cast in Townsend’s first film Hollywood Shuffle.
McKnight’s acting career spans several years, including his role as Uncle Ray in The Five Heartbeats and starring role in Richard Durham’s show Bird of the Iron Feather. McKnight’s work and talent have been consistent and have contributed significantly to African American actors in this industry.