There, Larenz Tate was born on the west side of Chicago to Larry and Peggy Tate, the youngest of three brothers. 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 . 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. Lawrence Timmons, 36 Football Player. How many celebrities named Lawrence or Laurence can you think of? His first big-screen feature was Fast Times at Ridgemont High, and he has subsequently created. 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. John Boyega is a British actor, known for playing Finn in Star Wars: Episode VII - The Force Awakens (2015). 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 Sammy Davis Jr. was often billed as the "greatest living entertainer in the world".He was born in Harlem, Manhattan, the son of dancer Elvera Davis (ne Sanchez) and vaudeville star Sammy Davis Sr.. His father was African-American and his mother was of Cuban and African-American ancestry. (Sam Jones Barbecue's new Raleigh outpost and Heim Barbecue's new Mockingbird Lane location in Dallas are notable examples.) Her father was Dominican and her mother is Puerto Rican. Martin Fitzgerald Lawrence is an African-American comedian, producer, writer, director and actor. Martin Fitzgerald Lawrence (born April 16, 1965) is an American stand-up comedian, actor, producer, talk show host, and writer. He is the fourth African-American male to Ossie Davis was born on December 18, 1917 in Cogdell, Georgia, USA. Vanessa sang and danced in Vanessa Estelle Williams (Actress, Singer, Writer, Director) born and raised in Brooklyn, NY, is a talented force that came to Hollywood in the 90's with passion purpose and staying power. His love for acting came naturally, through summers spent with his great-grandmother, New York stage actress Minnie Gentry. They have four children. He attended Lance Reddick is an American actor and musician. Search. A good student, Ving entered the New York High School of Performing Arts, where he discovered his love of acting. Discover the most famous people named Lawrence including Lawrence Bing, Lawrence Taylor, Lawrence Washington, Lawrence Sonntag, Lawrence Green and many more. His recent credits include Warner Bros.' "Man of Steel", The CW's "Emily Owens, M.D. 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. He is an actor and writer, known for Cool Runnings (1993), New York Undercover (1994) and Cop Land (1997). She began appearing on commercials at the age of four. Laurence Fishburne Actor | The Matrix Leon can be seen in the Show:me Drama "City on A Hill". Winter's Bone, The Hunger Games series, and Silver Linings Playbook are some of her notable projects. After his father died, his mother married Vernon Lynch, a foreman at a Jamie Foxx is an American actor, singer and comedian. He died on February 4, 2005 in Miami Beach, Florida, USA. Vote up all of the Lawrences and Laurences you've heard of. At 14 Francis Ford Coppola cast him in Apocalypse Now (1979), which filmed for two years in the Philippines. He is an actor and producer, known for Fallen (1998), Sunset Beach (1997) and Breaking In (2018). 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 Vandana Khanna since July 10, 1999. 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. She Malik Yoba was born on September 17, 1967 in Bronx, New York, USA. He is an actor and director, known for Star Trek: Generations (1994), Star Trek: First Contact (1996) and Star Trek: Nemesis (2002). Image Source. A Golden Globe winner, Basset has made a career, as well as fortune, out of portraying iconic real-life figures. Daniel Lebern Glover is another famous black actor born in San Francisco, California, U.S. He is an actor and director, known for It Chapter Two (2019), Shadowhunters (2016) and Horrible Bosses (2011). 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. He can also be seen playing opposite Gabrielle Union and Jessica Alba in their new series LA'S FINEST. (10/18-12/3/1995) Stage: Appeared (as Riff Raff") in original comedy; written and directed by, For the last six months, people have been coming up to me and saying, "I loved you in, Deep authoritative voice in many of his roles, most often delivering psychological Shakespearian speech, September 22, 2002 - May 11, 2018 (divorced, 1 child), Batman v Superman: Dawn of Justice (2016). 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 was previously married to Pamela Koslow and Patricia Panella. 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 was born in Harlem, New York, the son of Gladys, a nurse and army officer, and Yaphet Kotto, a businessman-turned-construction worker. Distinguished black thespians have portrayed one of Shakespeare's most famed and widely depicted characters for years. 7. 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. His last Broadway show "Via Galactica" was directed by Sir Peter Hall. Harry Belafonte Actor | Bobby 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. A former high school Tell us what you think about this feature. Larry Holmes (born November 3, 1949) is an American former professional boxer who competed from 1973 to 2002. Adam McKay's latest film "Don't Look Up" features a host of A-Star actors, led by Jennifer Lawrence and Leonardo Dicaprio. Ruby Dee was an American actress, poet, playwright, screenwriter, journalist and civil rights activist. Taylor played his entire professional career as a linebacker for the New York Giants. Here's my top 50 Black Actors of all time. Glover trained at the Black Bill Cosby is one of the world's most well-known entertainers and comedians. 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. His father was a Whoopi Goldberg was born Caryn Elaine Johnson in the Chelsea section of Manhattan on November 13, 1955. Russell Lawrence, is an American actor and Producer, best known for his role as Mike Corbett in Power Rangers Lost Galaxy. Who Is The Most Famous Lawrence Or Laurence In The World? They have one child. He first came to public notice as a singer and songwriter with the controversial and influential band N.W.A. Now, 39 years later, he is one of the stars on CBS's "Young and The Restless", the number one rated drama for the past 25 years on daytime television, playing the popular character of Neil Winters. ", is an American former football player. He is a three time Emmy Award and Tony Award winning actor known for his roles on stage and screen. 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. He subsequently made his film debut in the ghetto-themed Cornbread, Earl and Me (1975). Denzel Hayes Washington, Jr. was born on December 28, 1954 in Mount Vernon, New York. He is an actor, known for Antwone Fisher (2002), Glory Road (2006) and Captain America: The First Avenger (2011). 27. He is well known for his actor role as Roman Pearce in the The Fast and Furious movie franchise. 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. 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. It was while living in California that Larenz's parents got him and his brothers Gregory Hines was born on February 14, 1946 in New York City, New York, USA. 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. He has been hailed for his forceful, militant, and authoritative characters in his films. Vote up everyone you recognize with the last name Lawrence. He also writes and directs, and is a singer/songwriter. 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. 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. Biography April 2019Darrin Henson is a three-time award-nominated actor , one-time award-nominated author and MTV choreography award-winner. He was the youngest of four children born to Howard E. Rollins Sr. (steelworker) and Ruth R. Rollins (domestic worker). Laurence Fishburne is certainly one of the most famous Laurences on this list. 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. He grew up in poverty as the son of farmers, with his father also driving a cab in Nassau. Another of the famous people with the last name Lawrence is Martin Lawrence. How many celebrities with the last name Lawrence can you think of? He was previously married to Ruby Dee. In April 2007, Newsweek called him "the most powerful actor in Hollywood". He has appeared in a range of film genres portraying character roles and is particularly known for his distinctive deep voice. He is an actor and producer, known for Abduction of Jesse Bookman (2008), Clinic and Little Richard (2000). He has been married to Sarah DiSanto since 2007. 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. Sharon then moved with her parents to the Philippines, till she was 6 years old. He was an actor and writer, known for Do the Right Thing (1989), Bubba Ho-Tep (2002) and The Client (1994). 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. Henson won the coveted MTV choreography award for NSYNC's "Bye Bye Bye. He co-created and starred in the sitcom Martin from 1992 until 1997. 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. classmates laugh. He was previously married to Ruby Dee. He was an actor and director, known for History of the World: Part I (1981), Running Scared (1986) and Renaissance Man (1994). 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". .more One of his sisters is his twin. Just add them to the list! He is an actor and director, known for Star Trek: Generations (1994), Star Trek: First Contact (1996) and Star Trek: Nemesis (2002). His father, Winston, is from Sierra Leone and worked at Ford Dagenham; his mother, Eve, is from Ghana and had a clerical duty. Another of the famous people with the first name Larry is Larry Bird. I Still Know What You Did Last Summer. 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. In this one, directed by George Spencer is a native of Montgomery, Alabama, which she claims is the proverbial buckle of the Bible belt. 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 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 was an actor and director, known for History of the World: Part I (1981), Running Scared (1986) and Renaissance Man (1994). 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. 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. Sidney had little formal Denzel Hayes Washington, Jr. was born on December 28, 1954 in Mount Vernon, New York. Laurence John Fishburne III (born July 30, 1961), usually credited as Larry Fishburne until 1993, is an American actor and producer. He starred in the recently concluded TV series "Greenleaf" for Oprah Winfrey's OWN network. Mekhi Phifer. Bringing up the rear on the list of the 20 richest black American actors and actresses is Angela Basset. He was previously married to Trisha Mann. frame. At an early age, he started to take dramatic lessons to calm himself down. He is the son of Ata Johnson (born Feagaimaleata Fitisemanu Maivia) and professional wrestler Rocky Johnson (born Wayde Douglas Bowles). Her mother, Angelita, who is Christopher Julius Rock was born in Andrews, South Carolina and raised in Bedford-Stuyvesant, Brooklyn, New York. After graduating from high school, Denzel enrolled at Actress | He studied Clifton Powell a graduate of Emerson College in Boston, Massachusetts. He has been married to Cat Wilson since December 21, 2003. 9. The famous Lawrences and Laurences below have many different professions, including notable actors named Laurence, famous musicians named Lawrence, and even athletes named Lawrence. Hounsou has graced the catwalks of Paris and London as a popular male model. He wrote the novels The Life and Opinions of Tristram Shandy, Gentleman and A Sentimental Journey, The Greatest Actors Who Have Never Won An Oscar (For Acting). Vonetta Lawrence McGee (January 14, 1945 - July 9, 2010) was an American actress. Leon is starring in the ac:on movie "A Day to Die" opposite Bruce Willis and Frank Grillo in theaters March 2022. 30 . Hurtado Barbecue in Arlington, TX. No one is immune to the trials and tribulations of life. Morgan was born on June 1, 1937 in Memphis, Tennessee, to Mayme Edna (Revere), a teacher, and Morgan Porterfield Freeman, a barber. 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. The list is organized chronologically, grouping actors by their birth year. 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. 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. William Henry Cosby, Jr. was born on July 12, 1937, in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, to Anna Pearl (Hite), a maid and William Henry Cosby, Sr., a U.S. Navy sailor. Her maid-mammy characters became steadily more assertive, showing up first in Judge Priest (1934) and becoming pronounced in Alice Adams (1935). Her mother, Theodosia, was a domestic, and her father, William Tyson, was a carpenter and painter. Upcoming films include "Horizon Line" with Allison Williams ("Get Out") and " 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. Davis Jr. Willard Carroll "Will" Smith II (born September 25, 1968) is an American actor, comedian, producer, rapper, and songwriter. He also actively supports a number of political causes. He is an actor, known for Antwone Fisher (2002), Glory Road (2006) and Captain America: The First Avenger (2011). Lawrence's father served in the U.S. military and left the family when Martin was 8 years old. 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. His compositions with that group included many An only child, Idrissa Akuna Elba was born and raised in London, England. His mother, Shirley (Sullivan), was a backup singer for The Sweethearts. 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. 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. 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 best known for playing a fictionalized version of himself on the HBO series Curb Your Enthusiasm. 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. Billy Dee has notched up an impressive array of film and television appearances over the past 50+ years. He was raised in Cleveland, Ohio. In her biography she stated that, on the day she was born, her father was in the midst of a card game trying to get money to pay the hospital costs. 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. 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. 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. He moved to Lyon, France, when he was thirteen. 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. Who knew there were so many famous people named Laurence in the world? 02 Mar 2023 18:29:40 He moved to Lyon, France, when he was thirteen. His Anthony Mackie is an American actor. She worked in Charles S. Dutton was born on January 30, 1951 in Baltimore, Maryland, USA. He has enjoyed success in television, film, and music. He is the middle of three children of a beautician mother, Lennis, from Georgia, and a Pentecostal minister father, Denzel Washington, Sr., from Virginia. 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. 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 is not related to, or named after, Actor | 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. 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). He has been married to Aviss Pinkney-Bell since June 9, 2001. 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. The Curious Case of Benjamin Button. Michael Ian Black (born Michael Ian Schwartz; August 12, 1971) is an American comedian, actor, writer, and director. Soap Opera Actor. His notable roles are that of Malcolm Winters on The Young and the Restless from 1994 to 2005, Derek Morgan on CBS's Criminal Minds from 2005 to 2016, and as the third permanent host of Soul Train from 1999 An only child, Idrissa Akuna Elba was born and raised in London, England. He has enjoyed success in television, film, and music. Duncan dropped out of college and worked security jobs for clients, including actors Will Smith and . Laurence Paul Fox (born 26 May 1978) is an English actor, singer-songwriter and guitarist, best known for his leading role as DS James Hathaway in the British TV drama series Lewis from 2006 to 2015. 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. Some of these were additional locations of existing restaurants. 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.