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. They have four children. He grew up in Jamaica, British West Indies, and did folk-singing in nightclubs and theaters, and on television and records. Jennifer Lawrence is certainly one of the most famous Lawrences on this list. 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. 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, 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. (He is not related to, or named after, Actor | A good student, Ving entered the New York High School of Performing Arts, where he discovered his love of acting. He is noted as a conductor of the music of Handel. She was named by her godmother, who claimed she saw a vision of Alfre's name written out in gold letters. classmates laugh. He has appeared in a range of film genres portraying character roles and is particularly known for his distinctive deep voice. He has been married to Cat Wilson since December 21, 2003. He was born in 1939 in Dallas, Texas, where he lived in his early years before moving with his family to Los Wesley Trent Snipes was born in Orlando, Florida, to Marian (Long), a teacher's assistant, and SMSGT Wesley Rudolph Snipes, an aircraft engineer. Billy Dee has notched up an impressive array of film and television appearances over the past 50+ years. Another of the famous people with the first name Lawrence is Lawrence Welk. He would become better known, however, Born and raised in Washington DC, Jeffrey Wright graduated from Amherst College in 1987. 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. 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. He is an actor and producer, known for Far from Heaven (2002), 24 (2001) and Heat (1995). He was previously married to Pamela Koslow and Patricia Panella. 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. James Earl Jones. 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. 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. He was raised in Cleveland, Ohio. 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. 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. 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. 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" . 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. John Boyega is a British actor, known for playing Finn in Star Wars: Episode VII - The Force Awakens (2015). After graduating from high school, Denzel enrolled at Actress | His Anthony Mackie is an American actor. 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. Her parents divorced while she was still a toddler. ", 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. He subsequently made his film debut in the ghetto-themed Cornbread, Earl and Me (1975). I include great character actors, box-office stars, comedic performers and some up and coming rising stars! Morgan was born on June 1, 1937 in Memphis, Tennessee, to Mayme Edna (Revere), a teacher, and Morgan Porterfield Freeman, a barber. Michael Clarke Duncan was born on December 10, 1957 in Chicago, Illinois. 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. Rollins graduated from Towson State College, where he studied theater. 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 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. He started acting at the age of 21. We even witnessed a crop of new restaurants open their doors for the first time. Soap Opera Actor. Although he studied Political Science while at Amherst, Wright left the school with a love for acting. 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. Kristoff made his television debut at age 8 in the sit-com series "That's My Mama". Lawrence Timmons, 36 Football Player. 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. They have three children. Other popular Pooch Hall was born on February 8, 1976, in Brockton, Massachusetts. Michael Ian Black (born Michael Ian Schwartz; August 12, 1971) is an American comedian, actor, writer, and director. In a career that spanned a quarter of a century, Harvey appeared in. He is an actor and producer, known for Burn Notice (2007), Third Watch (1999) and The Gifted (2017). 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 Just add them to the list! He also writes and directs, and is a singer/songwriter. He was an actor and writer, known for Do the Right Thing (1989), Bubba Ho-Tep (2002) and The Client (1994). His debut was at the Village Vanguard in New York. Sidney Poitier She is known as "The Vocal Bible". No one is immune to the trials and tribulations of life. His career spans over 4 decades and he is a unique breed in today's industry as Harry Lennix is an accomplished film, television, and stage actor. Martin Fitzgerald Lawrence is an African-American comedian, producer, writer, director and actor. Leon can be seen in the Show:me Drama "City on A Hill". He portrays "Dr. Sheldon Hawkes", a reclusive coroner who walked away from a promising surgical career after the traumatic loss of two patients. 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! 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 attended Circle in the Square Theatre School and Playwrights Horizons Theater School. 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. She was raised in Queens, New York. 20 Richest Black Actors and Actresses and Their Net Worths. He grew up in poverty as the son of farmers, with his father also driving a cab in Nassau. Brandy Norwood is an African-American singer-songwriter and actress from McComb, Mississippi. He has enjoyed success in television, film, and music. She Malik Yoba was born on September 17, 1967 in Bronx, New York, USA. She has a Vanessa Lynne Williams was born on March 18, 1963 in Tarrytown, Greenburgh, New York and raised in Millwood, New Castle, New York to Helen Williams & Milton Williams, both music teachers. 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. Ossie Davis Actor | Do the Right Thing 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. 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 She is an actress and producer, known for A Haunted House (2013), How High (2001) and Same Difference (2019). Robert Moss. Vanessa and her brother grew up in suburban New York in comfortable surroundings. 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 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 won an Academy Award for Best Actor, BAFTA Award for Best Actor in a Leading Role, and Golden Globe Award for Best Actor in a Musical or Comedy, for his work in the biographical film Ray (2004). Harry Belafonte Actor | Bobby This highly sought-after creative artist wrapped "A Rich Christmas" a feature film for BET this past December Born and raised in Washington DC, Jeffrey Wright graduated from Amherst College in 1987. 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. 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. Winter's Bone, The Hunger Games series, and Silver Linings Playbook are some of her notable projects. Laurence Fishburne. He has been married to Sophia Adella Luke since April 4, 1999. Is it just a Tatyana Marisol Ali was born on January 24, 1979, in North Bellmore, New York, to Sonia, a nurse from Panama, and Sheriff Ali, a retired police officer from Trinidad. His Terrence Howard was born in Chicago, Illinois, to Anita Jeanine Williams (ne Hawkins) and Tyrone Howard. He is the son of Donna (Davis), a high school counselor, and Michael A. Jordan. 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. Michael B. Jordan, the middle of three children, was born in Santa Ana, California and raised in Newark, New Jersey. She has released many R&B albums and singles since the 1990s. 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 is an actor and producer, known for Gothika (2003), Alien (1992) and A Time to Kill (1996). More at IMDbPro He also courted disdain and public controversy for most of his career as a staunch Cold 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), Ossie Davis was born on December 18, 1917 in Cogdell, Georgia, USA. The young Freeman Donald Frank Cheadle was born in Kansas City, Missouri, on November 29, 1964. 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. Adam McKay's latest film "Don't Look Up" features a host of A-Star actors, led by Jennifer Lawrence and Leonardo Dicaprio. In April 2007, Newsweek called him "the most powerful actor in Hollywood". 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 was the bandleader and host of The Lawrence Welk Show. She was previously married to Maurice Oldham. He was previously married to Lynn Griffith and Elena Simms. When she was eight, her family moved to Pleasanton, California, where she grew up and attended high school. He is an actor and producer, known for Abduction of Jesse Bookman (2008), Clinic and Little Richard (2000). He gained a huge recognition for his performance as Roger Murtaugh in the Lethal Weapon film series. 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 died on February 4, 2005 in Miami Beach, Florida, USA. Some of these were additional locations of existing restaurants. Laurence Cummings (born 1968, Birmingham), MA (Oxon), ARCM, FRCO, HonRAM is a British harpsichordist, organist, and conductor. Chris Brown, Ty Dolla $ign: Play No Games. Laurence John Fishburne III (born July 30, 1961), usually credited as Larry Fishburne until 1993, is an American actor and producer. 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. frame. 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 was named after Malcolm X and legendary jazz pianist Ahmad Jamal. He was previously married to Ruby Dee. 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. 9. 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. This February, he will star in the HBO Jason George was born on February 9, 1972 in Virginia Beach, Virginia, USA. He moved to Lyon, France, when he was thirteen. Kamil McFadden. 48. Another of the famous people with the first name Larry is Larry Bird. Just add them to the list! Duncan dropped out of college and worked security jobs for clients, including actors Will Smith and . A former high school Tell us what you think about this feature. Laurence John Fishburne III (born July 30, 1961) is an American actor, playwright, producer, screenwriter, and film director. When he was a child, his mother married Jeffries Diggs, whose surname Taye took. 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 R&B singer, songwriter, actor, author, television producer and model. Known for his charming looks and deep personality, Michael Ealy blessed the movie screen with his role in Barbershop (2002). Raised by his single mother, Jean, a house cleaner, on Chicago's South Side, Duncan grew up resisting drugs and alcohol, instead concentrating on school. He is known for playing Morpheus in The Matrix series (1999-2003 . He is the fourth African-American male to Ossie Davis was born on December 18, 1917 in Cogdell, Georgia, USA. Enjoy. Under the prodding of her mother, Dorothy and her sister Vivian Dandridge began performing publicly, usually in Taye Diggs was born in Newark, New Jersey, and was raised in Rochester, New York. His mother, Shirley (Sullivan), was a backup singer for The Sweethearts. He first came to public notice as a singer and songwriter with the controversial and influential band N.W.A. He was the youngest of four children born to Howard E. Rollins Sr. (steelworker) and Ruth R. Rollins (domestic worker). Lawrence came to fame during the 1990s, establishing a Hollywood career, Steven Anthony Lawrence (born July 19, 1990) is an American actor. Top 40 Under 40 Black Actors/Actresses (2013 Edition). Born in Texas, Forest Whitaker was a college football player who turned to studying opera and drama. 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. 30 . Vote up all of the Larrys you've heard of. Who Is The Most Famous Larry In The World. Chiwetel Ejiofor. When he left Silver Spring, Maryland, with a degree in English, he headed off to New York. 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 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. 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. 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. Taraji Penda Henson is an American actress and singer. 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." At 14 Francis Ford Coppola cast him in Apocalypse Now (1979), which filmed for two years in the Philippines. His love for acting came naturally, through summers spent with his great-grandmother, New York stage actress Minnie Gentry. They have one child. Henson won the coveted MTV choreography award for NSYNC's "Bye Bye Bye. In this one, directed by George Spencer is a native of Montgomery, Alabama, which she claims is the proverbial buckle of the Bible belt. Bringing up the rear on the list of the 20 richest black American actors and actresses is Angela Basset. After his father died, his mother married Vernon Lynch, a foreman at a Jamie Foxx is an American actor, singer and comedian. 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. Lawrence's father served in the U.S. military and left the family when Martin was 8 years old. She played a prostitute in Hustle & Flow (2005), for which she received a Lena Calhoun Horne was born June 30, 1917, in Brooklyn, New York. He has been married to Vandana Khanna since July 10, 1999. 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 mother, Virginia Price, was a college career counselor. He has been married to Aviss Pinkney-Bell since June 9, 2001. He is an actor, known for Antwone Fisher (2002), Glory Road (2006) and Captain America: The First Avenger (2011). Distinguished black thespians have portrayed one of Shakespeare's most famed and widely depicted characters for years. Biography April 2019Darrin Henson is a three-time award-nominated actor , one-time award-nominated author and MTV choreography award-winner. Hounsou has graced the catwalks of Paris and London as a popular male model. 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. He is known for playing Morpheus in The Matrix trilogy, Jason "Furious" .more #56 of 272 The Best (Male) Actors Working Today #80 of 643 The Best Actors In Film History #53 of 183 The All-Time Greatest Action Stars 3 He previously starred opposite Mel Jackson was born on October 13, 1970 in Chicago, Illinois, USA. 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). Whoopi's recent ancestors were from Georgia, Florida, and Virginia. 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), . 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. Image Source. 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. Working alongside Harvey Keitel and Delroy Anthony Mackie is an American actor. Her maid-mammy characters became steadily more assertive, showing up first in Judge Priest (1934) and becoming pronounced in Alice Adams (1935). (1957-2012) Synopsis. He was born in New Orleans, Louisiana, to Martha (Gordon) and Willie Mackie, Sr., who owned a business, Mackie Roofing. Sidney had little formal Denzel Hayes Washington, Jr. was born on December 28, 1954 in Mount Vernon, New York. To be included in this list, the person must have a Wikipedia article and/or references showing the person is African American and a notable actor. (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). Black Panther: Wakanda Forever. She is an actress and executive, known for The Manchurian Candidate (2004), For Colored Girls (2010) and Almost Christmas (2016). 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. Lawrence Origin and Meaning The name Lawrence is both a boy's name and a girl's name of Latin origin meaning "from Laurentium". 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. 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. 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. 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! He has been hailed for his forceful, militant, and authoritative characters in his films. She was born in Tucson, Arizona. His debut was at the Village Vanguard in New York. After 10th grade, Cosby joined the Navy and completed high 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. Sidney had little formal After working as early as the 1910s as a band vocalist, Hattie McDaniel debuted as a maid in The Golden West (1932).