Billy Dee has notched up an impressive array of film and television appearances over the past 50+ years. He is also known for playing Okwe in Dirty Pretty Things Born and raised in Washington DC, Jeffrey Wright graduated from Amherst College in 1987. Top 50 Most Popular Young Actors In 2023. Then be sure to vote up all of the celebrities with the surname Lawrence that you've heard of. [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. In April 2007, Newsweek called him "the most powerful actor in Hollywood". 7. He has three daughters. Just add them to the list! Glover trained at the Black Wesley Trent Snipes was born in Orlando, Florida, to Marian (Long), a teacher's assistant, and SMSGT Wesley Rudolph Snipes, an aircraft engineer. Just add them to the list! Larry David is certainly one of the most famous Larrys on this list. 7. Beer Barrel Polka and Tonight You Belong To Me are among his popular songs. Phifer's acting career began when he auditioned at an open casting call for director Spike Lee's Clockers (1995) and was selected for the leading role. 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 grew up on the streets of the South Bronx in New York City, where he very early decided that dance and the theatre were to be his career. He graduated with a masters degree in Law from London's prestigious Kings College, before moving to Los Angeles to make the transition to acting. Gossett was the first African-American to English actor, writer and director Chiwetel Ejiofor is renowned for his portrayal of Solomon Northup in 12 Years a Slave (2013), for which he received Academy Award and Golden Globe Award nominations, along with the BAFTA Award for Best Actor. He is the son of Ata Johnson (born Feagaimaleata Fitisemanu Maivia) and professional wrestler Rocky Johnson (born Wayde Douglas Bowles). 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. His mother, Virginia Price, was a college career counselor. Warner first rose to national prominence by starring on the celebrated and long-running classic television series "The Cosby Show." Matthew Lawrence Hounsou has graced the catwalks of Paris and London as a popular male model. He is well known for his actor role as Roman Pearce in the The Fast and Furious movie franchise. Mr. T (born Laurence Tureaud, May 21, 1952), is an American actor. He was later nominated for the Independent Spirit Award for Best Actor for his performance in the LGBT drama Brother to Brother (2004), and in the same year, appeared in psychological thriller The Manchurian Candidate and the sports film Million Dollar Baby. She's the sixth of seven siblings and holds a BS in Liberal Arts from Auburn University. He grew up in Easton, Pennsylvania, which gave birth to his boxing nickname of "The, Larry Joe Bird (born December 7, 1956) is an American former professional basketball player, former coach, and former executive who most recently served as President of Basketball Operations for the, The Greatest Stand-Up Comics from the USA, Actors in the Most Christopher Guest Movies, The Toughest Professional Fighters in History, Larry Bird's Best Teammates Throughout His NBA Career. He was educated at the New York Dramatic Workshop. He has been married to Stephanie Cozart Burton since October 3, 1992. From there he performed in several stage productions, including the Off-Broadway Mekhi Phifer was born in Harlem, Manhattan, and was raised by his mother, Rhoda, a high school teacher. Search. He is best known for playing a fictionalized version of himself on the HBO series Curb Your Enthusiasm. He was named after Malcolm X and legendary jazz pianist Ahmad Jamal. 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. His father, Winston, is from Sierra Leone and worked at Ford Dagenham; his mother, Eve, is from Ghana and had a clerical duty. 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. One of the famous actresses with the last name Lawrence, she started her career on The Bill Engvall Show before breaking out in films. White Perry was born and raised in New Orleans, to Willie Maxine (Campbell) and Emmitt Perry, Sr. His mother was a church-goer and took Perry along with her once a week. He is easily best known to international film audiences as the roguish Lando Calrissian in the last two Gregory Hines was born on February 14, 1946 in New York City, New York, USA. Top 30 most beautiful women in Hollywood right now. Top 40 Under 40 Black Actors/Actresses (2013 Edition). 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. On the stage and on the big screen, Delroy Lindo projects a powerful presence that is almost impossible to ignore. His recent credits include Warner Bros.' "Man of Steel", The CW's "Emily Owens, M.D. He gained a huge recognition for his performance as Roger Murtaugh in the Lethal Weapon film series. His mother, Shirley (Sullivan), was a backup singer for The Sweethearts. Martin Fitzgerald Lawrence is an African-American comedian, producer, writer, director and actor. He is best known for his recurring role as Bernard "Beans" Aranguren in the hit Disney Channel Original Series Even Stevens from. Robert Moss. 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. q&a; trivia; . They have one child. Kristoff made his television debut at age 8 in the sit-com series "That's My Mama". Biography April 2019Darrin Henson is a three-time award-nominated actor , one-time award-nominated author and MTV choreography award-winner. He made his feature debut as Sgt. She Malik Yoba was born on September 17, 1967 in Bronx, New York, USA. David Oyelowo also known as 'David O', is a classically trained stage actor who has quickly become one of Hollywood's most sought-after talents. A good student, Ving entered the New York High School of Performing Arts, where he discovered his love of acting. (He is not related to, or named after, Actor | She was previously married to Maurice Oldham. Star Wars: Episode VII - The Force Awakens. Vanessa and her brother grew up in suburban New York in comfortable surroundings. Taking a cue from the Afrocentric stylings of the Native Tongues crew, which included De La Soul, Jungle Brothers, A Tribe Called Quest and Andres Steve Harris is the son of John, a bus driver, and Mattie, a housewife, who stressed his and younger brother, Sherwin's education over his love for football. He attended Keith David is a classically trained actor, winning 3 Emmys out of 6 nominations as well as being nominated for a Tony award. Sidney Poitier The first Black person to star in a prime-time drama in the '60s, Tyson has made history . She was discovered by a fashion editor at Ebony magazine and LeVar Burton was born on February 16, 1957 in Landstuhl, Rhineland-Palatinate, Germany. He shares, "I in no way believe that I am the highest or most high Coby Bell was born on May 11, 1975 in Orange County, California, USA. Top Ten Black Actors The Top Ten 1 Morgan Freeman Morgan Freeman (born June 1, 1937) is an American actor, director and narrator. At an early age, he started to take dramatic lessons to calm himself down. 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. He started acting at the age of 21. He was born in New Orleans, Louisiana, to Martha (Gordon) and Willie Mackie, Sr., who owned a business, Mackie Roofing. Omar Epps is an American actor, starring on the ABC drama Resurrection (2013).Epps was born in Brooklyn, New York, and was raised by his mother, Bonnie Maria Epps, an elementary school principal. 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. Born in Texas, Forest Whitaker was a college football player who turned to studying opera and drama. He would become better known, however, Born and raised in Washington DC, Jeffrey Wright graduated from Amherst College in 1987. Another of the famous people with the first name Lawrence is Lawrence Welk. Fluent in several languages, including English, Djimon Hounsou was born in Cotonou, Benin, in west Africa, to Albertine and Pierre Hounsou, a cook. Wed, Mar 01, 2023 . It appeared to work as he has since starred Aunjanue Ellis was born in San Francisco, California. Tracy Lee Lawrence (born January 27, 1968) is an American country music singer, songwriter, and . 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. In a career that spanned a quarter of a century, Harvey appeared in. Smith has been nominated for five Golden Cuba Gooding Jr. was born on January 2, 1968, in The Bronx, New York. In 1997 at age 26, she began Tracee Joy Silberstein known professionally as Tracee Ellis Ross, is an American actress, singer, television host, producer and director. Shortly after graduating he won an acting scholarship to NYU, but dropped out after only two months to Thandiwe Newton was born in London. He grew up in poverty as the son of farmers, with his father also driving a cab in Nassau. Lawrence Joseph Ellison (born August 17, 1944) is an American businessman, entrepreneur, and philanthropist who is a co-founder and the executive chairman and chief technology officer (CTO) of Oracle .more #24 of 57 The Most Influential CEOs Of All Time #10 of 13 Celebrity Parents Who Donated To Their Children's Colleges #18 of 18 He is the fourth African-American male to Ossie Davis was born on December 18, 1917 in Cogdell, Georgia, USA. Also, Dorothy Jean Dandridge was born on November 9, 1922 in Cleveland, Ohio, to Ruby Dandridge (ne Ruby Jean Butler), an entertainer, and Cyril H. Dandridge, a cabinet maker and minister. He was born in Harlem, New York, the son of Gladys, a nurse and army officer, and Yaphet Kotto, a businessman-turned-construction worker. He was the youngest of four children born to Howard E. Rollins Sr. (steelworker) and Ruth R. Rollins (domestic worker). Ossie Davis Actor | Do the Right Thing He grew up in poverty as the son of farmers, with his father also driving a cab in Nassau. He died on August 9, 2003 in Mario Van Peebles is a highly regarded director, actor, producer and writer. Michael Ian Black (born Michael Ian Schwartz; August 12, 1971) is an American comedian, actor, writer, and director. 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. Sharon then moved with her parents to the Philippines, till she was 6 years old. Distinguished black thespians have portrayed one of Shakespeare's most famed and widely depicted characters for years. A former high school 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. His love for acting came naturally, through summers spent with his great-grandmother, New York stage actress Minnie Gentry. Her mother, Theodosia, was a domestic, and her father, William Tyson, was a carpenter and painter. Laurence Fishburne. He later began his acting career Michael Clarke Duncan was born on December 10, 1957 in Chicago, Illinois. Simmons earned a basketball scholarship at Franklin Pierce College in New Hampshire. ", 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. She Ossie Davis was born on December 18, 1917 in Cogdell, Georgia, USA. He grew up in Jamaica, British West Indies, and did folk-singing in nightclubs and theaters, and on television and records. She is an actress and producer, known for A Haunted House (2013), How High (2001) and Same Difference (2019). 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 father was Dominican and her mother is Puerto Rican. He is an actor and producer, known for Far from Heaven (2002), 24 (2001) and Heat (1995). He is an actor and producer, known for The Birth of a Nation (2016), Arbitrage (2012) and The Great Debaters (2007). He was born in New Orleans, Louisiana, to Martha (Gordon) and Willie Mackie, Sr., who owned a business, Mackie Roofing. Actor and comedian Martin Lawrence was born on April 16, 1965, in Frankfurt, Germany. 30 . Michael B. Jordan, the middle of three children, was born in Santa Ana, California and raised in Newark, New Jersey. He moved to Lyon, France, when he was thirteen. After his father died, his mother married Vernon Lynch, a foreman at a Born in Kansas City, Missouri on September 19, 1982, Columbus Keith Short, Jr., started entertaining at the age of three, by putting on shows for his folks' enjoyment. He died on February 4, 2005 in Miami Beach, Florida, USA. Chosen as one of Variety's "Top Ten Actors to Watch" and part of the new breed of leading men in Hollywood, Laz Alonso is starring in Amazon Prime's series THE BOYS. 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. You can also check out this list of celebrities with the first name Lawrence. 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. Last edited on 18 February 2023, at 08:37, List of former African-American child actors, "News and Gossip of the World: Magic in a Name", https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=List_of_African-American_actors&oldid=1140075812, This page was last edited on 18 February 2023, at 08:37. Audiences across the United States and internationally have admired her for her work- including her celebrated, Oscar-nominated Audra McDonald was born on July 3, 1970 in Berlin, Germany as Audra Ann McDonald. He was previously married to Ruby Dee. Another of the famous people with the first name Larry is Larry Bird. !, 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. Although he studied Political Science while at Amherst, Wright left the school with a love for acting. Lawrence Timmons, 36 Football Player. He is the fourth African-American male to Kimberly Elise was born on April 17, 1967 in Minneapolis, Minnesota, USA. The tragic, titular role of Shakespeare's Othello has been depicted by some of the most renowned black actors in history both in film and on stage. A good student, Ving entered the New York High School of Performing Arts, where he discovered his love of acting. Lawrence came to fame during the 1990s, establishing a Hollywood career, Steven Anthony Lawrence (born July 19, 1990) is an American actor. Vote up all of the Larrys you've heard of. He Zoe Saldana was born on June 19, 1978 in Passaic, New Jersey, to Asalia Nazario and Aridio Saldaa. She was raised in Queens, New York. 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. He is the son of Donna (Davis), a high school counselor, and Michael A. Jordan. He has worked extensively in both film and television productions since the early 1990s. Morgan was born on June 1, 1937 in Memphis, Tennessee, to Mayme Edna (Revere), a teacher, and Morgan Porterfield Freeman, a barber. He received a BFA degree in musical theater Born and raised in London, England, Adewale Akinnuoye-Agbaje began his career as a model in Milan. The list is organized chronologically, grouping actors by their birth year. He was previously married to Debbi Morgan. He wanted to play football in high school, but his mother wouldn't let Pam Grier was born in Winston-Salem, NC, one of four children of Gwendolyn Sylvia (Samuels), a nurse, and Clarence Ransom Grier Jr., an Air Force mechanic. Wilson, a nine-time Pro Bowler in Seattle, last offseason engineered his way to Denver (and to a new $245 million contract) only after, according to a bombshell report this morning from The. He is known for playing Morpheus in The Matrix trilogy, Jason "Furious", Laurence Harvey (born Laruschka Mischa Skikne; 1 October 1928 25 November 1973) was a Lithuanian-born British Jewish actor. (German-Irish Actor and Racing Driver) 141 42 Listed In: Film & Theater Personalities Birthdate: April 2, 1977 Sun Sign: Aries Birthplace: Heidelberg, Germany Height: 6'0" (183 cm) Celebrity Names: Starting With I Starting With J 11 Matt LeBlanc (Famous for His Role of 'Joey Tribbiani' in the TV Sitcom 'Friends') 146 37 She owns Pattern Beauty, a hair-care line for curly Emmy-nominated actor and director Malcolm-Jamal Warner was born in Jersey City, New Jersey. He is an actor and producer, known for Gothika (2003), Alien (1992) and A Time to Kill (1996). 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! She was named by her godmother, who claimed she saw a vision of Alfre's name written out in gold letters. 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! Boyega rose to prominence in his native United Kingdom for his role of Moses in the 2011 sci-fi comedy film Attack the Block (2011), before attaining international recognition for his work Star Wars: Episode VII - The Force Awakens. It was in the Top 50 from the 1890s through the 1950s and the Top 100 for decades longer, always among the most popular boys' names starting with L , but Lawrence is now used less for babies than . frame. Critically hailed for his forceful, militant, authoritative figures and one of Hollywood's most talented and versatile performers, Laurence (John) Fishburne III has been the recipient of numerous awards, including a number of NAACP Image honors.Born in Augusta, Georgia on July 30, 1961, to Hattie Wesley Trent Snipes was born in Orlando, Florida, to Marian (Long), a teacher's assistant, and SMSGT Wesley Rudolph Snipes, an aircraft engineer. She lived in Zambia until political unrest caused her family to move back to the UK, where she lived in Alfre Woodard was born on November 8, 1952 in Tulsa, Oklahoma, the youngest of three children of Constance, a homemaker, and Marion H. Woodard, an interior designer. His recent credits include Warner Bros.' "Man of Steel", The CW's "Emily Owens, M.D. Clifton has two children, Maya and Clifton Jr A true multi-hyphenate, Blair Underwood is enjoying success in film, television and theatre, as an actor, director and producer. 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. 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! Vonetta Lawrence McGee (January 14, 1945 - July 9, 2010) was an American actress. Vote up everyone you recognize with the last name Lawrence. 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. American actor and comedian (born 1965) First Name: Martin Last Name: Lawrence Born on April 16, 1965 (age 57) Born in Germany, Hesse Height: 170 cm | 5'7 Actor Search Tags tour lit af tour characters blue streak gallery will smith national security roscoe tisha campbell stand up 4. Lawrence has survived from Roman times, when Laurentium was a city noted for its laurel trees (the laurel is a symbol of wisdom and achievement). coming-of-age romantic drama Call Me by Your Name, . 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. It appeared to work as he has since starred Billy Dee Williams was born William December Williams on April 6, 1937 in New York City. More at IMDbPro After 10th grade, Cosby joined the Navy and completed high 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 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 died on February 4, 2005 in Miami Beach, Florida, USA. He is an actor and director, known for Star Trek: Generations (1994), Star Trek: First Contact (1996) and Star Trek: Nemesis (2002). 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. Tell us what you think about this feature. 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), . 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. 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. 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. !, Nothing to Lose, Life and Blue Streak. Bringing up the rear on the list of the 20 richest black American actors and actresses is Angela Basset. He is also known for playing Okwe in Dirty Pretty Things Edward Regan Murphy was born April 3, 1961 in Brooklyn, New York, to Lillian Lynch (born: Lillian Laney), a telephone operator, and Charles Edward Murphy, a transit police officer who was also an amateur comedian and actor. He has been married to Vandana Khanna since July 10, 1999. Although he studied Political Science while at Amherst, Wright left the school with a love for acting. He was previously married to Ruby Dee. John Boyega is a British actor, known for playing Finn in Star Wars: Episode VII - The Force Awakens (2015). They have one child. In 1978, she moved to New York City to apply her craft on stage. The famous Lawrences and Laurences below have many different professions, including notable actors named Laurence, famous musicians named Lawrence, and even athletes named Lawrence. He graduated from the London Academy of Music and Dramatic Art (LAMDA), and received the "Scholarship for Excellence" from Nicholas Hytner in 1998.David Nate Parker was born on November 18, 1979 in Norfolk, Virginia, USA.