Weba spokesman for mr. Rollins's agent said the actor died of a bacterial infection caused by complications of lymphoma. The spokesman said mr. Webthe tv adaptation of in the heat of the night starring carroll o’connor and howard rollins celebrated its 30 th anniversary in 2018. But did you know that the story of chief. Webseveral cast members, including howard rollins and hugh o'connor, tragically passed away after the show. The in the heat of the night tv show featured a large ensemble. Webhoward rollins, who was dropped from the popular television series “in the heat of the night” because of drug problems, has died. Webhoward rollins may have had the most difficult role in the television adaptation of in the heat of the night, taking over the iconic role of virgil tibbs from. Webhoward rollins, an actor who was nominated for an academy award in 1981 for his work in the film ''ragtime'' and was written out of the hit television series ''in.