He is the son of Rosalie (Tingman), a teacher and social worker for the mentally handicapped, and Julius Rock, a truck driver and newspaper deliveryman, whose own father was a preacher. Meagan Monique Good was born on 8 August 1981 in Panorama City, California, USA, to Tyra Wardlow-Doyle, who worked as her manager, and Leondis "Leon" Good, an LAPD officer. His mother, Shirley (Sullivan), was a backup singer for The Sweethearts. Rollins graduated from Towson State College, where he studied theater. He was previously married to Pamela Koslow and Patricia Panella. 11. His directorial skills can be seen in the retelling of the epic mini-series "Roots" starring Forest Whitaker and Matthew Goode. 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." 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. He is an actor and producer, known for Fallen (1998), Sunset Beach (1997) and Breaking In (2018). He died on August 9, 2003 in Djimon Hounsou was born in Cotonou, Benin, in west Africa, to Albertine and Pierre Hounsou, a cook. He is an actor and writer, known for Cool Runnings (1993), New York Undercover (1994) and Cop Land (1997). Steve attended St. Joseph High in Westchester, Illinois, a private school known for developing star athletes such as basketball star Isiah A native of Michigan, S. Epatha Merkerson earned a Bachelor of Fine Arts Degree from Wayne State University. He was the bandleader and host of The Lawrence Welk Show. She is known for her roles in Moesha, Osmosis Jones and Cinderella. Biography April 2019Darrin Henson is a three-time award-nominated actor , one-time award-nominated author and MTV choreography award-winner. Just add them to the list! 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. He was born in New Orleans, Louisiana, to Martha (Gordon) and Willie Mackie, Sr., who owned a business, Mackie Roofing. His Anthony Mackie is an American actor. 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 was the youngest of four children born to Howard E. Rollins Sr. (steelworker) and Ruth R. Rollins (domestic worker). Winter's Bone, The Hunger Games series, and Silver Linings Playbook are some of her notable projects. Morgan was born on June 1, 1937 in Memphis, Tennessee, to Mayme Edna (Revere), a teacher, and Morgan Porterfield Freeman, a barber. Lawrence Timmons, 36 Football Player. Alhough it was not his first film role, his portrayal of the bipolar numbers boss West Indian Archie in Spike Lee's Malcolm X (1992) is what first attracted attention to Lindo's Gregory Hines was born on February 14, 1946 in New York City, New York, USA. 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. List of African-American actors - Wikipedia 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. (Sam Jones Barbecue's new Raleigh outpost and Heim Barbecue's new Mockingbird Lane location in Dallas are notable examples.) It appeared to work as he has since starred Aunjanue Ellis was born in San Francisco, California. 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. 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. Cowboys Ex Coach Wade Phillips: A Victim of Ageism? 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". Laurence Cummings (born 1968, Birmingham), MA (Oxon), ARCM, FRCO, HonRAM is a British harpsichordist, organist, and conductor. He is an actor and producer, known for Gothika (2003), Alien (1992) and A Time to Kill (1996). 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. 9. He has three daughters. 50+ Famous Blacks | Notable People With the Last Name Black - Ranker In April 2007, Newsweek called him "the most powerful actor in Hollywood". 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. He has been hailed for his forceful, militant, and authoritative characters in his films. Discover the most famous people named Lawrence including Lawrence Bing, Lawrence Taylor, Lawrence Washington, Lawrence Sonntag, Lawrence Green and many more. A "closet" lover of acting, this practical Alabamian knew that she'd someday work in the film industry, Willard Carroll "Will" Smith II (born September 25, 1968) is an American actor, comedian, producer, rapper, and songwriter. 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. He has been married to Aviss Pinkney-Bell since June 9, 2001. Billy Dee has notched up an impressive array of film and television appearances over the past 50+ years. He is an actor and producer, known for Burn Notice (2007), Third Watch (1999) and The Gifted (2017). His father was a carpenter and they had a very strained and abusive relationship, which led Perry to suffer from depression as a Hill Harper, an accomplished film, television and stage actor, stars in the hit CBS drama series, CSI: NY (2004). His Terrence Howard was born in Chicago, Illinois, to Anita Jeanine Williams (ne Hawkins) and Tyrone Howard. He is also known for portraying Detective Johnny Basil on Oz, Matthew Abaddon in Lost, Charon in the John Wick franchise and Guillermin in Godzilla vs. Kong. 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. How many celebrities with the last name Lawrence can you think of? 7. 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. 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. 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). Morgan was born on June 1, 1937 in Memphis, Tennessee, to Mayme Edna (Revere), a teacher, and Morgan Porterfield Freeman, a barber. 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 was named after Malcolm X and legendary jazz pianist Ahmad Jamal. Top 30 most beautiful women in Hollywood right now. Lawrence Hilton-Jacobs (born September 4, 1953) is an American actor and singer. 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. 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. By bringing complicated and charismatic characters to life--often with surprising tenderness--Williams established himself as a gifted and versatile performer with a unique 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. His mother, Shirley (Sullivan), was a backup singer for The Sweethearts. Torrey B. Lawrence on LinkedIn: #strongchanceproductions # 02 Mar 2023 18:29:40 7. No one is immune to the trials and tribulations of life. 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 noted as a conductor of the music of Handel. 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. This is a list of African-American actors by birth order. Her maid-mammy characters became steadily more assertive, showing up first in Judge Priest (1934) and becoming pronounced in Alice Adams (1935). He first came to public notice as a singer and songwriter with the controversial and influential band N.W.A. Distinguished black thespians have portrayed one of Shakespeare's most famed and widely depicted characters for years. Aaron Rodgers Answers 'Diva' Question; ESPN Conflicting Trade - si.com Off-screen he is a social activist, educator and author dedicated to enriching the lives of others. 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. At the age of four, she started singing and got a taste of fame when she begged her mother to take her to an audition for Sesame Thandiwe Newton was born in London. 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! Martin Fitzgerald Lawrence Male. Although he studied Political Science while at Amherst, Wright left the school with a love for acting. !, Nothing to Lose, Life and Blue Streak. He attended Louis Gossett Jr. is one of the most respected and beloved actors on stage, screen and television and is also an accomplished writer, producer and director. Enjoy. They have three children. He is a three-time NBA MVP and 12-time NBA all-star. Top 50 Black actors of All Time - IMDb She Ossie Davis was born on December 18, 1917 in Cogdell, Georgia, USA. Lawrence's father served in the U.S. military and left the family when Martin was 8 years old. He was raised in Cleveland, Ohio. He was the youngest of four children born to Howard E. Rollins Sr. (steelworker) and Ruth R. Rollins (domestic worker). At an early age, he started to take dramatic lessons to calm himself down. He was an actor and writer, known for Do the Right Thing (1989), Bubba Ho-Tep (2002) and The Client (1994). Laurence John Fishburne III (born July 30, 1961) is an American actor, playwright, producer, screenwriter, and film director. 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 He has been married to Stephanie Cozart Burton since October 3, 1992. Shemar Franklin Moore (born April 20, 1970) is an American actor and former fashion model. Hurtado Barbecue in Arlington, TX. Brandy Norwood is an African-American singer-songwriter and actress from McComb, Mississippi. Boyz n the Hood, Apocalypse Now, and What's Love Got To Do With It are among his notable projects. Top 40 Under 40 Black Actors/Actresses (2013 Edition). 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. 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 was an actor and director, known for History of the World: Part I (1981), Running Scared (1986) and Renaissance Man (1994). Matthew Lawrence His mother, Virginia Price, was a college career counselor. They have one child. Known for his charming looks and deep personality, Michael Ealy blessed the movie screen with his role in Barbershop (2002). Martin Fitzgerald Lawrence (born April 16, 1965) is an American stand-up comedian, actor, producer, talk show host, and writer. He is the son of Donna (Davis), a high school counselor, and Michael A. Jordan. 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. Black Actors - IMDb Smith has been nominated for five Golden 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), Harold George Belafonte was born on March 1, 1927 in New York City. 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 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 has been married to Lisa Mitchell since May 26, 2018. Larry David is certainly one of the most famous Larrys on this list. 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. She went to prayer-school there. Laurence Fishburne - IMDb 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. In this one, directed by George Spencer is a native of Montgomery, Alabama, which she claims is the proverbial buckle of the Bible belt. 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. He died on February 4, 2005 in Miami Beach, Florida, USA. 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. She graduated from the Brown University, and later attended New York University's Tisch School of the Arts.During her career, Ellis performed on Off-Broadway theater, appeared in many film, and had roles on television. She was previously married to Maurice Oldham. He was previously married to Pamela Koslow and Patricia Panella. 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 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 grew up in poverty as the son of farmers, with his father also driving a cab in Nassau. Adam McKay's latest film "Don't Look Up" features a host of A-Star actors, led by Jennifer Lawrence and Leonardo Dicaprio. Tracy Lee Lawrence (born January 27, 1968) is an American country music singer, songwriter, and . His recent credits include Warner Bros.' "Man of Steel", The CW's "Emily Owens, M.D. His teachers used to give him the last few minutes of class to make his 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. He moved to Lyon, France, when he was thirteen. He has acted in films, like "Bad Boys", "Blue Streak", and "Big Momma's House". He was an actor and director, known for History of the World: Part I (1981), Running Scared (1986) and Renaissance Man (1994). 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. He has been married to Sophia Adella Luke since April 4, 1999. Top 30 Richest Black Actors - Celebrity Net Worth Another of the famous people with the first name Lawrence is Lawrence Welk. We even witnessed a crop of new restaurants open their doors for the first time. Emma Thorne Drugs used to target HER2-positive invasive breast cancer may also be successful in treating women in the first stages of the disease, researchers at The University of Often considered hip-hop's first lady, the woman behind the moniker Queen Latifah was born Dana Elaine Owens on March 18, 1970, in East Orange, New Jersey. 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 Michael Clarke Duncan was born on December 10, 1957 in Chicago, Illinois. Started acting in the Chicago production of the Broadway musical "Hair" as well as the Broadway production of "The Me Nobody Knows". His directorial skills can be seen in the retelling of the epic mini-series "Roots" starring Forest Whitaker and Matthew Goode. He was previously married to Pamela Koslow and Patricia Panella. Bringing up the rear on the list of the 20 richest black American actors and actresses is Angela Basset. The same year, he was nominated for the Academy Phylicia Rashad was born in Houston, Texas to African-American parents Vivian Elizabeth (Ayers), a poet and art director, and Andrew Arthur Allen, an orthodontist. Martin Fitzgerald Lawrence is an African-American comedian, producer, writer, director and actor. Kristoff made his television debut at age 8 in the sit-com series "That's My Mama". TOP 50 Best Black actors - IMDb He starred in the recently concluded TV series "Greenleaf" for Oprah Winfrey's OWN network. Tell us what you think about this feature. 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. 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 Debbi Morgan. He was raised in Cleveland, Ohio. In 2020 Leon starred in Hallmark's #1 movie of the year, "Time for Us to 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 is the middle of three children of a beautician mother, Lennis, from Georgia, and a Pentecostal minister father, Denzel Washington, Sr., from Virginia. Michael Clarke Duncan - Biography Just add them to the list! Colin Salmon is one of Britain's most renowned actors. Famous Lawrences | Famous Birthdays He has enjoyed success in television, film, and music. He has been married to Sarah DiSanto since 2007. 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. A native of New Jersey and son of a mechanic, African-American John Amos has relied on his imposing build, eruptive nature and strong, forceful looks to obtain acting jobs, and a serious desire for better roles to earn a satisfying place in the annals of film and TV. no on Twitter: "Lawrence Fishburn is on my flight & I recognized him Hounsou has graced the catwalks of Paris and London as a popular male model. 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. He can also be seen playing opposite Gabrielle Union and Jessica Alba in their new series LA'S FINEST. Search. 30 . He started acting at the age of 21. His parents divorced when he was very young. Denzel Hayes Washington, Jr. was born on December 28, 1954 in Mount Vernon, New York. Harry Belafonte Actor | Bobby 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. His love for acting came naturally, through summers spent with his great-grandmother, New York stage actress Minnie Gentry. 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. Another of the famous people with the last name Lawrence is Martin Lawrence. He was an actor and writer, known for Do the Right Thing (1989), Bubba Ho-Tep (2002) and The Client (1994). 20. A Golden Globe winner, Basset has made a career, as well as fortune, out of portraying iconic real-life figures. He is an R&B singer, songwriter, actor, author, television producer and model. Shortly after graduating he won an acting scholarship to NYU, but dropped out after only two months to Gabrielle Union was born on October 29, 1972, in Omaha, Nebraska, to Theresa (Glass), who managed a phone company, and Sylvester E. Union, a military sergeant and business executive. He has appeared in a range of film genres portraying character roles and is particularly known for his distinctive deep voice. classmates laugh. Pooch won the Southern New England golden gloves in 1994. Sidney had little formal Denzel Hayes Washington, Jr. was born on December 28, 1954 in Mount Vernon, New York. He was born in New Orleans, Louisiana, to Martha (Gordon) and Willie Mackie, Sr., who owned a business, Mackie Roofing. Vonetta Lawrence McGee (January 14, 1945 - July 9, 2010) was an American actress. He has been married to Cat Wilson since December 21, 2003. His debut was at the Village Vanguard in New York. 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. Vonetta McGee - Wikipedia 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. frame. The first Black person to star in a prime-time drama in the '60s, Tyson has made history . 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.