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 the heat of the night'' in 1993. Webrollins died from complications from lymphoma, six weeks after being diagnosed with aids. His family and his agent at first refused to release information. A spokesman from the william morris agency, which represented rollins, said the actor died of a bacterial infection caused by complications. Webrollins, who was written out of the tv series in the heat of the night because of his drug use, died sunday in new york. Webhoward rollins, who was dropped from the popular television series “in the heat of the night” because of drug problems, has died. Webrollins died sunday afternoon at st. The hospital declined to release the cause of death, but frank tobin, a publicist for actor carroll.