A Giant to Remember

A Giant to Remember is a retrospect of Ji-Tu’s career through the rise,peak and transition of the Black film era. He chronicles his film career during the 70’s, 80’s. and 90’s. Ji-Tu emerged as a character actor noted for strong performances as the Wrestler in ROOTS and Ciscero in MANDINGO.

A Giant to Remember is a retrospect of Ji-Tu’s career through the rise, peak and transition of the Black film era. He chronicles his film career during the 70’s, 80’s. and 90’s. A time when America saw a sweeping transformation in politics, fashion and the music industry. Stereotypical roles were no longer the standard as more diversified images arose. His story will take you back in time as he interacts with legendary film stars, such as Elvis Presley, Ed Asner, Mary Tyler Moore, Jane Fonda, Sofia Loren, Tom Hanks, Richard Pryor, Bette Midler, Ray Charles and many more. Ji-Tu emerged as a character actor noted for strong performances as the Wrestler in ROOTS and Ciscero in MANDINGO. With as many as thirty-three films and over one hundred television roles, his journey is certainly that of A Giant to Remember. “

Ji-Tu Cumbuka was born in Helena, Alabama to a Baptist Minister who believed acting was the Devil’s Work so he left home and moved to New York in the pursuit of his dream. After several difficult years he enlisted in the Army where he played football and ran track. He made All Army in both sports and was offered many college scholarships but chose to attend Texas Southern University. After Texas Southern, he moved to California to again pursue his acting career and to also continue his education. He has a Bachelor of Arts Degree and a Masters Degree. Before hitting the screen, he attended acting classes, workshops and acted in community plays. Then he landing his first role in the film Uptight. Ji-Tu overcame the walls of adversity in the 60’s, 70’s and 80’s as an African American actor of many popular films and television shows. He is known as Wrestler in ROOTS, a series for television and also for the Tootles Gambler in the classic HARLEM NIGHTS movie production.