Thalmus Rasulala

Thalmus Rasulala (born Jack Crowder November 15, 1939-October 9, 1991) appeared in two different roles on Sanford and Son first and most notably as Skeeter Matthews in the episode titled The Card Sharps (Season 2, Episode #6), then as a Heart Fund door-to-door donation man in in the episode titled Fred's Cheating Heart (Season 3, Episode #17) A tall, lean striking actor with a resonant baritone voice who starred in numerous blaxploitation and action/crime film TV projects, Thalmus also was an original cast member of ABC-TV's soap opera One Life to Live from its inception in 1968 until he left the show in 1970.

Born Jack Crowder in Miami, Florida, Thalmus appeared in many films and made guest appearances in TV shows. Notable blaxploitation film roles include Sidney Lord Jones in Cool Breeze (1972), Dr. Gordon Thomas in Blacula (1972) and Robert Daniels in Willie Dynamite (1974); he also was the assistant director of The Slams (1973). On television, he is notable as Skeeter Matthews on Sanford and Son, The Lt. Jack Neal in One Life to Live, Bill Thomas (Raj's Father) on What's Happening!!, and Omoro Kinte (Kunta Kinte's father) on Roots. He also appeared on The Twilight Zone, All in the Family, The Jeffersons, Good Times, Star Trek: The Next Generation, and The Sophisticated Gents.

His other film roles include Cornbread, Earl and Me (1975), Bucktown (1975), The Last Hard Men (1976), The Boss' Wife (1986), New Jack City (1991) and his last film role - as General Afir - in Mom and Dad Save the World. He died shortly after completing his scenes, and the film, released after his death, is dedicated to his memory.

Personal/Family life and death
Thalmus married Shirlyn Mozingo on November 6, 1984. Thalmus died on October 9, 1991, from heart failure in Albuquerque, New Mexico. He was survived by his wife Shirlyn, and their four children.