His brothers are actors Larron Tate and Lahmard J. Tate. Laurence Fishburne is certainly one of the most famous Laurences on this list. List of African-American actors - Wikipedia He has starred in numerous regional stage productions including the San Diego Repertory Theater's Obba Babatund is an actor, singer, dancer, director, writer and producer. Her mother was a university administrator and her father was a high school principal stationed in West Berlin with the U.S. Army. Lawrence - Baby Name Meaning, Origin, and Popularity | Nameberry He has enjoyed success in television, film, and music. It appeared to work as he has since starred Aunjanue Ellis was born in San Francisco, California. Top Ten Black Actors The Top Ten 1 Morgan Freeman Morgan Freeman (born June 1, 1937) is an American actor, director and narrator. His childhood found him moving from city to city with his family: mother Bettye (ne North), a teacher; father Donald Frank Cheadle Sr., a clinical psychologist; sister Cindy; and brother Colin. Aaron Rodgers Answers 'Diva' Question; ESPN Conflicting Trade - si.com Denzel Hayes Washington, Jr. was born on December 28, 1954 in Mount Vernon, New York. Her father was Dominican and her mother is Puerto Rican. He graduated with a business degree and A tall, handsome, and versatile American actor, Morris Chestnut was born in Cerritos, California, to Shirley (Wynn) and Morris Chestnut, Sr. He co-created and starred in the sitcom Martin from 1992 until 1997. He Boris Frederic Cecil Tay-Natey Ofuatey-Kodjoe, better known as Boris Kodjoe, is a German actor known for his roles as Jason in the 2000 film Love & Basketball (2000), and the sports-courier agent Damon Carter on the Showtime drama series Soul Food (2000).Kodjoe was born in Vienna, Austria, the Jesse Martin was born Jesse Lamont Watkins in Virginia's Blue Ridge mountain range. Image Source. ", Fox's "Dollhouse," HBO's "Little Britain," as well as the critically acclaimed series "24" as Walid Al-Rezani.Harry Joseph Lennix III was born Derek Luke was born on April 24, 1974 in Jersey City, New Jersey, USA. All the A-Star Actors in 'Don't Look Up' and Who They Play Mekhi Phifer. When she was 10 years old, she and her family moved to the Dominican Republic, where they would live for Donald Frank Cheadle was born in Kansas City, Missouri, on November 29, 1964. !, Nothing to Lose, Life and Blue Ice Cube was born in South Central Los Angeles, to Doris (Benjamin), a custodian and hospital clerk, and Hosea Jackson, a UCLA groundskeeper. Top 40 Under 40 Black Actors/Actresses (2013 Edition). Vanessa and her brother grew up in suburban New York in comfortable surroundings. He was an actor and writer, known for Do the Right Thing (1989), Bubba Ho-Tep (2002) and The Client (1994). Enjoy. Lawrence John Miller (born October 15, 1953) is an American comedian, actor, podcaster and columnist. Michael Clarke Duncan was born on December 10, 1957 in Chicago, Illinois. He is best known for his television roles as the bass singer Melvin Franklin in The Temptations, Robin Wood in Buffy the Vampire Slayer, Malcolm Franks in Single Ladies, Dr. Joseph Prestridge in Parenthood, the angel Amenadiel in 2022 is shaping up to be another breakout year for Leon! At an early age, he started to take dramatic lessons to calm himself down. His compositions with that group included many A true multi-hyphenate, Blair Underwood is enjoying success in film, television and theatre, as an actor, director and producer. Daniel Lebern Glover is another famous black actor born in San Francisco, California, U.S. Glover trained at the Black Signifying intelligence, eloquence, versatility and quiet intensity, one of the more important, critically acclaimed black actors to gain a Hollywood foothold in the 1970s was Paul Winfield. He was an actor and director, known for History of the World: Part I (1981), Running Scared (1986) and Renaissance Man (1994). Sidney Poitier He has enjoyed success in television, film, and music. Her dentist father was instrumental in developing Lynn's initial interest in acting as he was a Joe Morton was born on October 18, 1947 in New York, New York, USA. He previously starred opposite Mel Jackson was born on October 13, 1970 in Chicago, Illinois, USA. Lawrence's father served in the U.S. military and left the family when Martin was 8 years old. Widely regarded as the one of greatest stage and screen actors both in his native USA and internationally, James Earl Jones was born on January 17, 1931 in Arkabutla, Mississippi. James Earl Jones. ", Fox's "Dollhouse," HBO's "Little Britain," as well as the critically acclaimed series "24" as Walid Al-Rezani.Harry Joseph Lennix III was born LeVar Burton was born on February 16, 1957 in Landstuhl, Rhineland-Palatinate, Germany. In 1984, Larenz and his family moved to California. He was born in New Orleans, Louisiana, to Martha (Gordon) and Willie Mackie, Sr., who owned a business, Mackie Roofing. Widely regarded as the one of greatest stage and screen actors both in his native USA and internationally, James Earl Jones was born on January 17, 1931 in Arkabutla, Mississippi. Started acting in the Chicago production of the Broadway musical "Hair" as well as the Broadway production of "The Me Nobody Knows". His Anthony Mackie is an American actor. She is an actress and producer, known for A Haunted House (2013), How High (2001) and Same Difference (2019). He was named after Malcolm X and legendary jazz pianist Ahmad Jamal. Martin Fitzgerald Lawrence (born April 16, 1965) is an American stand-up comedian, actor, producer, talk show host, and writer. Sidney Poitier was a native of Cat Island, Bahamas, although born, two months prematurely, in Miami during a visit by his parents, Evelyn (Outten) and Reginald James Poitier. She was named by her godmother, who claimed she saw a vision of Alfre's name written out in gold letters. He won an Academy Award for his performance as Ugandan dictator Idi Amin in the film The Last King of Scotland (2006), and has also won a Golden Globe and a BAFTA. Martin Fitzgerald Lawrence is an African-American comedian, producer, writer, director and actor. She is best known for originating the role of "Ruth Younger" in the stage and film versions of A Raisin in the Sun (1961).She also starred in The Jackie Robinson Story (1950), Cat People (1982), Cicely Tyson was born in Harlem, New York City, where she was raised by her devoutly religious parents, from the Caribbean island of Nevis. Martin Fitzgerald Lawrence is an African-American comedian, producer, writer, director and actor. He is the middle of three children of a beautician mother, Lennis, from Georgia, and a Pentecostal minister father, Denzel Washington, Sr., from Virginia. He died on August 9, 2003 in Mario Van Peebles is a highly regarded director, actor, producer and writer. The Best New Barbecue Joints in the South - southernliving.com Another of the famous people with the first name Larry is Larry Bird. He Zoe Saldana was born on June 19, 1978 in Passaic, New Jersey, to Asalia Nazario and Aridio Saldaa. To be included in this list, the person must have a Wikipedia article and/or references showing the person is African American and a notable actor. Other popular Pooch Hall was born on February 8, 1976, in Brockton, Massachusetts. He has been married to Aviss Pinkney-Bell since June 9, 2001. Highly influential, and always controversial, African-American actor/comedian who was equally well known for his colorful language during his live comedy shows, as for his fast paced life, multiple marriages and battles with drug addiction. He is known for his roles in the Bad Boys trilogy, Martin, Def Comedy Jam, Big Momma's House, Open Season, House Party, Boomerang, Wild Hogs, What's Happening Now! Top 30 Richest Black Actors - Celebrity Net Worth He has three daughters. He has been married to Stephanie Cozart Burton since October 3, 1992. Torrey B. Lawrence on LinkedIn: #strongchanceproductions # No stranger to the big screen, Epps has appeared in lead roles in feature films, including Paramount's Jaleel White is an American actor, producer and writer who is known for playing Steve Urkel from Family Matters and voicing Sonic the Hedgehog in three cartoon series released during the 1990s. He was born on April 16, 1965 in Hesse, Germany. He studied From studying history at Harvard, and acting at Yale Drama School, to making history in Hollywood, Courtney B. Vance has carefully cultivated an exceptional career that showcases his passion, talent, and intellect. Rollins graduated from Towson State College, where he studied theater. He was born in 1939 in Dallas, Texas, where he lived in his early years before moving with his family to Los Wesley Trent Snipes was born in Orlando, Florida, to Marian (Long), a teacher's assistant, and SMSGT Wesley Rudolph Snipes, an aircraft engineer. He has three daughters. His father, Cuba Gooding, was the lead vocalist for the R&B group The Main Ingredient, which had a hit with the song "Everybody Plays The Fool". He has since left his modeling career and has worked on Gladiator (2000) Emmy-nominated actor and producer Michael Kenneth Williams was one of his generation's most respected and acclaimed talents. Soap Opera Actor. His parents, working in Europe at the time of his birth, settled in Manhattan by the time he was 6, and Terrence Howard was born in Chicago, Illinois, to Anita Jeanine Williams (ne Hawkins) and Tyrone Howard. His recent credits include Warner Bros.' "Man of Steel", The CW's "Emily Owens, M.D. He grew up in Jamaica, British West Indies, and did folk-singing in nightclubs and theaters, and on television and records. Larenz Tate was born on the west side of Chicago to Larry and Peggy Tate, the youngest of three brothers. Working alongside Harvey Keitel and Delroy Anthony Mackie is an American actor. His debut was at the Village Vanguard in New York. Lawrence Timmons, 36 Football Player. 'Red Velvet' details first black actor to play Othello The famous Larrys below have many different professions, including notable actors named Larry, famous athletes named Larry, and even musicians named Larry. He is well known for his actor role as Roman Pearce in the The Fast and Furious movie franchise. 64 1 4. After graduating from high school, Denzel enrolled at With an authoritative voice and calm demeanor, this ever popular American actor has grown into one of the most respected figures in modern US cinema. Her dentist father was instrumental in developing Lynn's initial interest in acting as he was a Viola Davis is a critically revered actress of film, television, and theater and has won rave reviews for her multitude of substantial and intriguingly diverse roles. He was an actor and director, known for History of the World: Part I (1981), Running Scared (1986) and Renaissance Man (1994). Hounsou has graced the catwalks of Paris and London as a popular male model. He was previously married to Debbi Morgan. Search. One of his sisters is his twin. His mother, Virginia Price, was a college career counselor. His father, Winston, is from Sierra Leone and worked at Ford Dagenham; his mother, Eve, is from Ghana and had a clerical duty. He is the fourth African-American male to Harold George Belafonte was born on March 1, 1927 in New York City. Underwood recently returned to Broadway starring opposite David Alan Grier in the Pulitzer Prize winning drama "A Solider's Play" for director Kenny Leon and the Michael Jai White is an American actor and martial artist who has appeared in numerous films and television series. (He is not related to, or named after, Actor | She studied acting at Howard University and began her Hollywood career in guest roles on several television shows before making her breakthrough in Baby Boy (2001). He was the youngest of four children born to Howard E. Rollins Sr. (steelworker) and Ruth R. Rollins (domestic worker). Lawrence came to fame during the 1990s, establishing a Hollywood career .more #520 of 643 The Best Actors In Film History #64 of 107 The Best Short Actors #332 of 349 The Best TV Actors And Actresses Of All Time 2 Larry Holmes (born November 3, 1949) is an American former professional boxer who competed from 1973 to 2002. Laurence Fishburne Actor | The Matrix He would become better known, however, Born and raised in Washington DC, Jeffrey Wright graduated from Amherst College in 1987. This handsome, eloquent and highly charismatic actor became one of the foremost interpreters of Eugene O'Neill's plays and one of the most treasured names in song during the first half of the twentieth century. At an early age, he started to take dramatic lessons to calm himself down. He is a television, film, and theater actor, best known for The Brother from Another Planet (1984), Terminator 2: Judgment Day (1991), Eureka (2006), and Scandal (2012). After graduating from high school, Denzel enrolled at Actress | frame. Off-screen he is a social activist, educator and author dedicated to enriching the lives of others. We even witnessed a crop of new restaurants open their doors for the first time. 7. His television roles include Ally McBeal (1997), Judging Amy (1998-2005), CSI: Miami (2006), Girlfriends (2007), Grey's Anatomy (2010), Hawaii Five-0 (2011-2014), Tyrese Darnell Gibson was born December 30, 1978 in Watts, Los Angeles, California, where he was raised. His father, from Amherst, Nova Scotia, Canada, is black (of Black Henry Simmons was born in Stamford, Connecticut, one of three children to Aurelia, a school teacher, and Henry Simmons, Sr., an IRS agent. Forest Whitaker - Movies, Son & Wife - Biography Laurence Cummings (born 1968, Birmingham), MA (Oxon), ARCM, FRCO, HonRAM is a British harpsichordist, organist, and conductor. She graduated from Fordham University in 1992, and went on to earn a master's degree in journalism from New York University before shifting to an acting career. Davis Jr. Willard Carroll "Will" Smith II (born September 25, 1968) is an American actor, comedian, producer, rapper, and songwriter. Adam McKay's latest film "Don't Look Up" features a host of A-Star actors, led by Jennifer Lawrence and Leonardo Dicaprio. His first break into acting came when a One of television's premier African-American series stars, elegant actress, singer and recording artist Diahann Carroll was born Carol Diann (or Diahann) Johnson on July 17, 1935, in the Bronx, New York. Top 50 Most Popular Young Actors In 2023. He moved to Lyon, France, when he was thirteen. She has a Vanessa Lynne Williams was born on March 18, 1963 in Tarrytown, Greenburgh, New York and raised in Millwood, New Castle, New York to Helen Williams & Milton Williams, both music teachers. Cicely Tyson is an entertainment icon, a living legend with a career spanning more than six decades. Martin Fitzgerald Lawrence is an African-American comedian, producer, writer, director and actor. As well as New York University Tisch School of the Arts. Vonetta McGee - Wikipedia 50 Black Actors Who Made Entertainment History - Newsweek Under the prodding of her mother, Dorothy and her sister Vivian Dandridge began performing publicly, usually in Taye Diggs was born in Newark, New Jersey, and was raised in Rochester, New York. Black Panther: Wakanda Forever. She Ossie Davis was born on December 18, 1917 in Cogdell, Georgia, USA. He is an actor and director, known for It Chapter Two (2019), Shadowhunters (2016) and Horrible Bosses (2011). He is an actor, known for Antwone Fisher (2002), Glory Road (2006) and Captain America: The First Avenger (2011). He later began his acting career Dennis Haysbert was born on June 2, 1954 in San Mateo, California, USA. He is an actor, known for Antwone Fisher (2002), Glory Road (2006) and Captain America: The First Avenger (2011). At an early age, he started to take dramatic lessons to calm himself down. Another of the famous people with the first name Lawrence is Lawrence Welk. His last Broadway show "Via Galactica" was directed by Sir Peter Hall. He is the first African American to portray a major comic book superhero in a major motion picture, having starred as Al Simmons, the protagonist in the 1997 film Spawn. [2] She debuted in the Spaghetti Western The Great Silence and went on to appear in blaxploitation films such as Hammer, Melinda, Blacula, Shaft in Africa, Detroit 9000, and 1974's Thomasine & Bushrod alongside her then-boyfriend Max Julien. He won an Academy Award for his performance as Ugandan dictator Idi Amin in the film The Last King of Scotland (2006), and has also won a Golden Globe and a BAFTA. His Giancarlo Giuseppe Alessandro Esposito was born in Copenhagen, Denmark, to an Italian carpenter/stagehand father from Naples, Italy, and an African-American opera singer mother from Alabama. Samuel L. Jackson is an American producer and highly prolific actor, having appeared in over 100 films, including Die Hard with a Vengeance (1995), Unbreakable (2000), Shaft (2000), Formula 51 (2001), Black Snake Moan (2006), Snakes on a Plane (2006), and the Star Wars prequel trilogy (1999-2005), . Top 50 Black actors of All Time - IMDb Billy Dee has notched up an impressive array of film and television appearances over the past 50+ years. Larry David is certainly one of the most famous Larrys on this list. Angela Basset - $20 Million. Raised by his single mother, Jean, a house cleaner, on Chicago's South Side, Duncan grew up resisting drugs and alcohol, instead concentrating on school. He is a three-time NBA MVP and 12-time NBA all-star. Kamil McFadden had appeared in a couple of short movies before he burst into the mainstream with a role in the television show House of Payne. Although best known since 1993 as the smart and shrewd Lieutenant Anita Van Buren on the long-running TV crime drama Law & Tell us what you think about this feature. He is an actor and producer, known for the films Ray, Selma Lord Selma, Dead Presidents, and Menace 2 Society, and the TV series The Family Business, Sacrifice, and Saints & Sinners. He made his feature debut as Sgt. Anthony has been featured in feature films, television series and Broadway and Off-Broadway plays, including Ma Rainey's Black Bottom, Isaiah Mustafa was born on February 11, 1974 in Portland, Oregon, USA. He was previously married to Debbi Morgan. She is an actress and executive, known for The Manchurian Candidate (2004), For Colored Girls (2010) and Almost Christmas (2016). Lawrence Makoare, 54 Movie Actor. He is the middle of three children of a beautician mother, Lennis, from Georgia, and a Pentecostal minister father, Denzel Washington, Sr., from Virginia. He has since left his modeling career and has worked on Gladiator (2000) Giancarlo Giuseppe Alessandro Esposito was born in Copenhagen, Denmark, to an Italian carpenter/stagehand father from Naples, Italy, and an African-American opera singer mother from Alabama. Known for his charming looks and deep personality, Michael Ealy blessed the movie screen with his role in Barbershop (2002). 29. He initially earned attention in groundbreaking stage and film work with pronounced themes of social and racial relevance. They have three children. In 1984, Larenz and his family moved to California. It was while living in California that Larenz's parents got him and his brothers Signifying intelligence, eloquence, versatility and quiet intensity, one of the more important, critically acclaimed black actors to gain a Hollywood foothold in the 1970s was Paul Winfield. Laurence Fishburne. He attended Lance Reddick is an American actor and musician. Then she started guest-starring on series like The Parent 'Hood (1995), With roots leading back to Louisiana southern aristocracy, lovely leading lady Lynn Whitfield was born in 1953, the eldest of four children and a third-generation BFA graduate from Howard University. Vote up everyone you recognize with the last name Lawrence. Hounsou has graced the catwalks of Paris and London as a popular male model. Fortunately, Kerry Washington is an African-American actress, television show producer and film director who is known for her roles in Scandal, Ray, the Tim Story Fantastic Four film series, Mr. and Mrs. Smith, Confirmation, Django Unchained, Little Fires Everywhere, Cars 3 and The Last King of Scotland. Idris attended school in Canning Town, where he first became involved in acting, before he dropped Keith Hamilton Cobb Graduated Sleepy Hollow High School and Westchester Community College. He is best known for his recurring role as Bernard "Beans" Aranguren in the hit Disney Channel Original Series Even Stevens from. They have four children. !, Nothing to Lose, Life and Blue Streak. His father, Cuba Gooding, was the lead vocalist for the R&B group The Main Ingredient, which had a hit with the song "Everybody Plays The Fool". Her career started in 1971, when Roger Corman of New World Pictures launched Cicely Tyson was born in Harlem, New York City, where she was raised by her devoutly religious parents, from the Caribbean island of Nevis. Lawrence for a boy or a girl | Nameberry Famous Lawrences | Famous Birthdays Martin Lawrence - IMDb v. t. e. This is a list of African-American actors by birth order . Laurence Fishburne - IMDb Off-screen he is a social activist, educator and author dedicated to enriching the lives of others. He is easily best known to international film audiences as the roguish Lando Calrissian in the last two Ivan Dixon was a handsome, mustachioed African-American actor and director who carried a strong, serious nature about his solid frame. He wanted to play football in high school, but his mother wouldn't let Cuba Gooding Jr. was born on January 2, 1968, in The Bronx, New York. Laurence Sterne (24 November 1713 18 March 1768) was an Irish novelist and an Anglican clergyman. His parents, working in Europe at the time of his birth, settled in Manhattan by the time he was 6, and Charles S. Dutton was born on January 30, 1951 in Baltimore, Maryland, USA. The same year, he was nominated for the Academy Billy Dee Williams was born William December Williams on April 6, 1937 in New York City. Some of these were additional locations of existing restaurants. Smith has been nominated for five Golden Actor, producer and humanitarian Danny Glover has been a commanding presence on screen, stage and television for more than 35 years.Glover was born in San Francisco, California, to Carrie (Hunley) and James Glover, postal workers who were also active in civil rights. She went to prayer-school there. She Malik Yoba was born on September 17, 1967 in Bronx, New York, USA. Chris Brown, Ty Dolla $ign: Play No Games. He has acted in films, like "Bad Boys", "Blue Streak", and "Big Momma's House". Her mother, Emma (Harris), was a teacher and a nurse, and her father, Robert James Johnson, Jr., was a clergyman. Robert Moss. Gossett was the first African-American to Physically imposing, intense Yaphet Kotto was one of the few actors of his generation to succeed in breaking racial stereotypes in Hollywood. One of the famous comedians named Larry, he was a stand-up comedian and writer for Saturday Night Live before co-creating Seinfeld with Jerry Seinfeld. Ruby Dee was an American actress, poet, playwright, screenwriter, journalist and civil rights activist. He won an Academy Award for Best Actor, BAFTA Award for Best Actor in a Leading Role, and Golden Globe Award for Best Actor in a Musical or Comedy, for his work in the biographical film Ray (2004). He is also known for playing Okwe in Dirty Pretty Things Omari Latif Hardwick was born in Savannah, Georgia, to Joyce (Johnson) and Clifford Hardwick III, and grew up in Decatur, GA. His parents gave him a name to set a precedent, "Omari" meaning "most high," and "Latif" meaning "gentle." She's an actress and singer, best known for her many roles on Broadway. He has starred in several TV comedy series, including The State, Viva Variety, .more #41 of 44 Celebrities We Want To See On Drop the Mic #56 of 76 All The Celebrities Who Call Chicago Home #98 of 125 Actors Who Have Directed Films TOP 50 Best Black actors - IMDb Taylor played his entire professional career as a linebacker for the New York Giants. Akinnagbe was born in Washington, D.C., the son of Yoruba Nigerian parents, and was raised in Silver Spring, Richard Timothy Jones is a American actor. She was previously married to Maurice Oldham. His love for acting came naturally, through summers spent with his great-grandmother, New York stage actress Minnie Gentry. Did we forget one of your favorite famous people named Larry? Tell us what you think about this feature. He gained a huge recognition for his performance as Roger Murtaugh in the Lethal Weapon film series. In April 2007, Newsweek called him "the most powerful actor in Hollywood". She is known for her lead roles in the television series Girlfriends (2000-2008) and Black-Ish (2014-2022). Robert Oswald in the British mega-hit mini-series Prime Suspect 2 (1992), which gave him much Cuba Gooding Jr. was born on January 2, 1968, in The Bronx, New York. Strikingly featured and muscular American actor Ving Rhames was born Irving Rameses Rhames in Harlem, New York, to Reather, a homemaker, and Ernest Rhames, an auto mechanic. He won an Academy Award for Best Actor, BAFTA Award for Best Actor in a Leading Role, and Golden Globe Award for Best Actor in a Musical or Comedy, for his work in the biographical film Ray (2004). She played a prostitute in Hustle & Flow (2005), for which she received a Lena Calhoun Horne was born June 30, 1917, in Brooklyn, New York. He has been married to Sophia Adella Luke since April 4, 1999. Winter's Bone, The Hunger Games series, and Silver Linings Playbook are some of her notable projects. Martin Lawrence - Biography He has appeared in a range of film genres portraying character roles and is particularly known for his distinctive deep voice. Lawrence came to fame during the 1990s, establishing a Hollywood career, Steven Anthony Lawrence (born July 19, 1990) is an American actor. There, Larenz Tate was born on the west side of Chicago to Larry and Peggy Tate, the youngest of three brothers. Colin Salmon is one of Britain's most renowned actors. In 1973, at the age of 12, young Laurence won a recurring role on the daytime soap One Life to Live (1968) that lasted three seasons. She is known for her roles in Moesha, Osmosis Jones and Cinderella. One of the famous actresses with the last name Lawrence, she started her career on The Bill Engvall Show before breaking out in films. Lawrence Hilton-Jacobs (born September 4, 1953) is an American actor and singer. ", is an American former football player. Anthony has been featured in feature films, television series and Broadway and Off-Broadway plays, including Ma Rainey's Black Bottom, Ice Cube was born in South Central Los Angeles, to Doris (Benjamin), a custodian and hospital clerk, and Hosea Jackson, a UCLA groundskeeper. Blackactors.net profiles black actors of past, present and future. Top 20 Famous Black Actors of All Time - The Teal Mango