Her maid-mammy characters became steadily more assertive, showing up first in Judge Priest (1934) and becoming pronounced in Alice Adams (1935). He was an actor and writer, known for Do the Right Thing (1989), Bubba Ho-Tep (2002) and The Client (1994). Harry Belafonte Actor | Bobby She is known for her roles in Moesha, Osmosis Jones and Cinderella. Larry David is certainly one of the most famous Larrys on this list. 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. Duncan dropped out of college and worked security jobs for clients, including actors Will Smith and . They 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. Sidney had little formal Denzel Hayes Washington, Jr. was born on December 28, 1954 in Mount Vernon, New York. In a career that spanned a quarter of a century, Harvey appeared in. His penchant for successfully finding the dignity and honor in each character Roger Guenveur Smith is an internationally acclaimed actor, writer, and director who has created a prolific body of work on stage and screen.He adapted his Obie Award-winning solo performance of A Huey P. Newton Story into a Peabody Award-winning telefilm, directed by his longtime colleague Spike Born in Georgia, Byrd earned a bachelor of science degree in education from Morris Brown College and later received a master of fine arts degree in dance from California Institute of the Arts. 02 Mar 2023 18:29:40 Sidney Poitier 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. He has enjoyed success in television, film, and music. 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. She is the daughter of Rita (Bray), a teacher, and Lancelot Owens Sr. She came from a police family-both her father and her older brother were New York City-bred actor Glynn Russell Turman, born on January 31, 1947, who enjoyed his first taste of success as a young teenager, originating the role of "Travis Younger" on Broadway in Lorraine Hansberry's landmark play "A Raisin in the Sun" in 1959 opposite Sidney Poitier, Ruby Dee, Claudia Best known as the the lead singer of the popular 1960s singing group The Supremes, Diana Ernestine Earle Ross was born on March 26, 1944, in Detroit, Michigan, the second of six children of African-American parents Ernestine Lillian (Moten), a schoolteacher, and Fred Earl Ross, who served in the Jamie Foxx is an American actor, singer and comedian. Mekhi Phifer. 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. classmates laugh. 11. 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. Beer Barrel Polka and Tonight You Belong To Me are among his popular songs. 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! He was previously married to Trisha Mann. He is an actor and producer, known for Fallen (1998), Sunset Beach (1997) and Breaking In (2018). How many celebrities named Larry can you think of? 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. He was previously married to Ruby Dee. Famous Birthdays. 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. 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 can also be seen playing opposite Gabrielle Union and Jessica Alba in their new series LA'S FINEST. With a bold voice and posture, Colin makes his characters a favorite among audiences for every role he plays. He was an actor and director, known for History of the World: Part I (1981), Running Scared (1986) and Renaissance Man (1994). Her mother, Emma (Harris), was a teacher and a nurse, and her father, Robert James Johnson, Jr., was a clergyman. Her parents divorced while she was still a toddler. He studied Clifton Powell a graduate of Emerson College in Boston, Massachusetts. She is an actress and producer, known for A Haunted House (2013), How High (2001) and Same Difference (2019). Chiwetel Ejiofor. Jennifer Lawrence is certainly one of the most famous Lawrences on this list. 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. The Curious Case of Benjamin Button. 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). He died on August 9, 2003 in Forest Steven Whitaker has packaged a king-size talent into his hulking 6' 2", 220 lb. Then, her parents packed up to move back to the US and settled in Fresno, California. Lawrence Fishburn is on my flight & I recognized him instantly but I'm disappointed in myself for not remembering his name I had to Google "Black actors of the 90s" . This February, he will star in the HBO Jason George was born on February 9, 1972 in Virginia Beach, Virginia, USA. 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 Larenz Tate was born on the west side of Chicago to Larry and Peggy Tate, the youngest of three brothers. Top 30 most beautiful women in Hollywood right now. 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. In film, she is best known Regina Hall was born December 12, 1970 in Washington, D.C., to Ruby, a teacher, and Odie Hall, a contractor. In 1978, she moved to New York City to apply her craft on stage. As well as New York University Tisch School of the Arts. His recent credits include Warner Bros.' "Man of Steel", The CW's "Emily Owens, M.D. She went to prayer-school there. He made his feature debut as Sgt. 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. Rollins graduated from Towson State College, where he studied theater. 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. Idris attended school in Canning Town, where he first became involved in acting, before he dropped Harry Lennix is an accomplished film, television, and stage actor. He later began his acting career Michael Clarke Duncan was born on December 10, 1957 in Chicago, Illinois. He initially earned attention in groundbreaking stage and film work with pronounced themes of social and racial relevance. 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. Taylor played his entire professional career as a linebacker for the New York Giants. He has three daughters. Who Is The Most Famous Lawrence Or Laurence In The World? 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. He pursued. 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. 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 was previously married to Pamela Koslow and Patricia Panella. Laurence Fishburne is certainly one of the most famous Laurences on this list. 9. Regarded as one of hip-hop's most introspective and insightful artists, Mos Def has shaped a career that transcends music genres and artistic medium. He is an actor and comedian. 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. Obba's breadth of work is known worldwide by audiences of all ages, and his face is one of the most recognizable in the entertainment industry. 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. His Terrence Howard was born in Chicago, Illinois, to Anita Jeanine Williams (ne Hawkins) and Tyrone Howard. Martin Fitzgerald Lawrence is an African-American comedian, producer, writer, director and actor. At an early age, he started to take dramatic lessons to calm himself down. 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". Who knew there were so many famous people named Laurence in the world? 29. 20 Richest Black Actors and Actresses and Their Net Worths. His mother then moved his family to Buffalo, New York. 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. Fluent in several languages, including English, Djimon Hounsou was born in Cotonou, Benin, in west Africa, to Albertine and Pierre Hounsou, a cook. Billy Dee has notched up an impressive array of film and television appearances over the past 50+ years. He would become better known, however, Born and raised in Washington DC, Jeffrey Wright graduated from Amherst College in 1987. His brothers are actors Larron Tate and Lahmard J. Tate. She's an actress and singer, best known for her many roles on Broadway. Essence Atkins was born on February 7, 1972 in New York City, New York, USA. About a year ago I had the absolute pleasure of working with such an amazing cast, crew and a remarkable director named Drica Armstrong, who directed and wrote 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 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. He previously starred opposite Mel Jackson was born on October 13, 1970 in Chicago, Illinois, USA. 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). Lawrence Becker, 41 TikTok Star. 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 was previously married to Debbi Morgan. He is the son of Ata Johnson (born Feagaimaleata Fitisemanu Maivia) and professional wrestler Rocky Johnson (born Wayde Douglas Bowles). His mother, Shirley (Sullivan), was a backup singer for The Sweethearts. The young Freeman Donald Frank Cheadle was born in Kansas City, Missouri, on November 29, 1964. 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. 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. Although he studied Political Science while at Amherst, Wright left the school with a love for acting. ", 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. 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 was born in New Orleans, Louisiana, to Martha (Gordon) and Willie Mackie, Sr., who owned a business, Mackie Roofing. .more The first child of John Johnson, a subway conductor, and Mabel Faulk Johnson, a nurse; music Willard Carroll "Will" Smith II (born September 25, 1968) is an American actor, comedian, producer, rapper, and songwriter. Lawrence Hilton-Jacobs (born September 4, 1953) is an American actor and singer. Smith has been nominated for five Golden Cuba Gooding Jr. was born on January 2, 1968, in The Bronx, New York. 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 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! As a child, Phylicia, her older brother Andrew (called Tex), and younger sister, dancer and actress Debbie Allen, lived in Mexico. ", is an American former football player. Hounsou has graced the catwalks of Paris and London as a popular male model. Did we forget one of your favorite famous people named Larry? He grew up in poverty as the son of farmers, with his father also driving a cab in Nassau. 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. The list is organized chronologically, grouping actors by their birth year. 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 Mario Van Peebles is a highly regarded director, actor, producer and writer. Leon can be seen in the Show:me Drama "City on A Hill". He played basketball for the Boston Celtics from 1970 to 1992 before becoming the coach of the Indiana Pacers from 1997 to 2000. 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 as B. His love for acting came naturally, through summers spent with his great-grandmother, New York stage actress Minnie Gentry. He was educated at the New York Dramatic Workshop. His brothers are actors Larron Tate and Lahmard J. Tate. At 14 Francis Ford Coppola cast him in Apocalypse Now (1979), which filmed for two years in the Philippines. Another of the famous people with the first name Lawrence is Lawrence Welk. Laurence John Fishburne III (born July 30, 1961) is an American actor, playwright, producer, screenwriter, and film director. 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. She Malik Yoba was born on September 17, 1967 in Bronx, New York, USA. James Earl Jones. 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. 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 has been married to Stephanie Cozart Burton since October 3, 1992.