He has been acknowledged by many modern comic artist's as Actress | He was previously married to Trisha Mann. Michael Clarke Duncan was born on December 10, 1957 in Chicago, Illinois. He has been acknowledged by many modern comic artist's as Born in the Harlem section of New York City, joined the Navy, then studied drama at New York University; was an announcer for then joined the Negro Ensemble Co. in 1970 for such productions as "The River Niger", "Square Root of the Soul" and "The Brownsville Raid"; worked with repertory groups such Terrence Howard was born in Chicago, Illinois, to Anita Jeanine Williams (ne Hawkins) and Tyrone Howard. Lawrence came to fame during the 1990s, establishing a Hollywood career, Steven Anthony Lawrence (born July 19, 1990) is an American actor. 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. He has been married to Sarah DiSanto since 2007. Working alongside Harvey Keitel and Delroy Anthony Mackie is an American actor. He gained a huge recognition for his performance as Roger Murtaugh in the Lethal Weapon film series. 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), . 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. This is a list of African-American actors by birth order. He has three daughters. 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. Brandy Norwood is an African-American singer-songwriter and actress from McComb, Mississippi. 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. 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. Her mother, Theodosia, was a domestic, and her father, William Tyson, was a carpenter and painter. She was born in Tucson, Arizona. 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 was an actor and writer, known for Do the Right Thing (1989), Bubba Ho-Tep (2002) and The Client (1994). 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. Leon is starring in the ac:on movie "A Day to Die" opposite Bruce Willis and Frank Grillo in theaters March 2022. Russell Lawrence, is an American actor and Producer, best known for his role as Mike Corbett in Power Rangers Lost Galaxy. 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 is an actor and producer, known for Burn Notice (2007), Third Watch (1999) and The Gifted (2017). He is known for playing Morpheus in The Matrix series (1999-2003 . He is an R&B singer, songwriter, actor, author, television producer and model. Laurence Fishburne is certainly one of the most famous Laurences on this list. Chris Brown, Ty Dolla $ign: Play No Games. 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. I Still Know What You Did Last Summer. 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. He is an actor and producer, known for Fallen (1998), Sunset Beach (1997) and Breaking In (2018). 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. The first Black person to star in a prime-time drama in the '60s, Tyson has made history . He is easily best known to international film audiences as the roguish Lando Calrissian in the last two Gregory Hines was born on February 14, 1946 in New York City, New York, USA. 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. Top 40 Under 40 Black Actors/Actresses (2013 Edition). He moved to Lyon, France, when he was thirteen. His hobbies are writing, photography & renovating home. He was previously married to Pamela Koslow and Patricia Panella. Morgan was born on June 1, 1937 in Memphis, Tennessee, to Mayme Edna (Revere), a teacher, and Morgan Porterfield Freeman, a barber. 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. 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 She is known for her roles in Moesha, Osmosis Jones and Cinderella. He was educated at the New York Dramatic Workshop. Although he studied Political Science while at Amherst, Wright left the school with a love for acting. He is the son of Marcia (Berry), a teacher and actress, and Andre Young, a visual artist. 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 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 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. One of his sisters is his twin. 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 first came to public notice as a singer and songwriter with the controversial and influential band N.W.A. 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. She was raised in Queens, New York. Distinguished black thespians have portrayed one of Shakespeare's most famed and widely depicted characters for years. Laurence Fishburne Actor | The Matrix She was previously married to Jaime Mendez. Captivating, gifted, and sensational, Angela Bassett's presence has been felt in theaters and on stages and television screens throughout the world. q&a; trivia; . As well as New York University Tisch School of the Arts. Laurence John Fishburne III (born July 30, 1961), usually credited as Larry Fishburne until 1993, is an American actor and producer. He was an actor and writer, known for Do the Right Thing (1989), Bubba Ho-Tep (2002) and The Client (1994). Glover trained at the Black Bill Cosby is one of the world's most well-known entertainers and comedians. 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). 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. 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 has been hailed for his forceful, militant, and authoritative characters in his films. His parents, working in Europe at the time of his birth, settled in Manhattan by the time he was 6, and 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 Lynn Griffith and Elena Simms. 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. 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 was the bandleader and host of The Lawrence Welk Show. A Golden Globe winner, Basset has made a career, as well as fortune, out of portraying iconic real-life figures. He has been married to Lisa Mitchell since May 26, 2018. 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. Blackactors.net profiles black actors of past, present and future. Morgan was born on June 1, 1937 in Memphis, Tennessee, to Mayme Edna (Revere), a teacher, and Morgan Porterfield Freeman, a barber. 30 . Lawrence Becker, 41 TikTok Star. He has been married to Stephanie Cozart Burton since October 3, 1992. Our, Television producer, Film Producer, Screenwriter, Laurence Kerr Olivier, Baron Olivier, (; 22 May 1907 11 July 1989) was an English actor and director who, along with his contemporaries Ralph Richardson, Peggy Ashcroft and John Gielgud, dominated, Laurence John Fishburne III (born July 30, 1961) is an American actor, playwright, producer, screenwriter, and film director. 02 Mar 2023 18:29:40 She is the daughter of Zimbabwean mother Nyasha, a health-care worker from the Shona tribe, and British father Nick Newton, who worked as a lab technician. Larenz Tate was born on the west side of Chicago to Larry and Peggy Tate, the youngest of three brothers. She is known as "The Vocal Bible". Just add them to the list! One of the famous actors named Laurence, he is best known for playing Morpheus in The Matrix films. MARCH 4 WADE'S COMPLAINT Wade Phillips accomplished a great deal in his NFL life, including his work as a head coach of the Cowboys.But he's now out of the NFL and working as the head coach of the . He has enjoyed success in television, film, and music. 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. Duncan dropped out of college and worked security jobs for clients, including actors Will Smith and . His recent credits include Warner Bros.' "Man of Steel", The CW's "Emily Owens, M.D. Did we forget one of your favorite famous people named Laurence? He initially earned attention in groundbreaking stage and film work with pronounced themes of social and racial relevance. Top 30 most beautiful women in Hollywood right now. Soap Opera Actor. Clifton has two children, Maya and Clifton Jr A true multi-hyphenate, Blair Underwood is enjoying success in film, television and theatre, as an actor, director and producer. 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. Chiwetel Ejiofor. You can also check out this list of celebrities with the first name Lawrence. Kristoff made his television debut at age 8 in the sit-com series "That's My Mama". He grew up in poverty as the son of farmers, with his father also driving a cab in Nassau. 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 is an actor, known for Antwone Fisher (2002), Glory Road (2006) and Captain America: The First Avenger (2011). The Curious Case of Benjamin Button. Her mother, Emma (Harris), was a teacher and a nurse, and her father, Robert James Johnson, Jr., was a clergyman. 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. Pooch won the Southern New England golden gloves in 1994. ", 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 LeVar Burton was born on February 16, 1957 in Landstuhl, Rhineland-Palatinate, Germany. 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. 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. 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 moved to Lyon, France, when he was thirteen. 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. Her parents divorced while she was still a toddler. He later began his acting career Michael Clarke Duncan was born on December 10, 1957 in Chicago, Illinois. He grew up in poverty as the son of farmers, with his father also driving a cab in Nassau. Bringing up the rear on the list of the 20 richest black American actors and actresses is Angela Basset. 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. Winter's Bone, The Hunger Games series, and Silver Linings Playbook are some of her notable projects. Vote up all of the Lawrences and Laurences you've heard of. 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. After 10th grade, Cosby joined the Navy and completed high Sidney Poitier was a native of Cat Island, Bahamas, although born, two months prematurely, in Miami during a visit by his parents, Evelyn (Outten) and Reginald James Poitier. She was discovered by a fashion editor at Ebony magazine and LeVar Burton was born on February 16, 1957 in Landstuhl, Rhineland-Palatinate, Germany. Hounsou has graced the catwalks of Paris and London as a popular male model. He attended Circle in the Square Theatre School and Playwrights Horizons Theater School. He was an actor and director, known for History of the World: Part I (1981), Running Scared (1986) and Renaissance Man (1994). He later began his acting career Dennis Haysbert was born on June 2, 1954 in San Mateo, California, USA. Forest Steven Whitaker has packaged a king-size talent into his hulking 6' 2", 220 lb. His first big-screen feature was Fast Times at Ridgemont High, and he has subsequently created. Who Is The Most Famous Lawrence In The World? He was born in Harlem, New York, the son of Gladys, a nurse and army officer, and Yaphet Kotto, a businessman-turned-construction worker. 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. Hounsou has graced the catwalks of Paris and London as a popular male model. His mother, Shirley (Sullivan), was a backup singer for The Sweethearts. 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. When she was eight, her family moved to Pleasanton, California, where she grew up and attended high school. Adam McKay's latest film "Don't Look Up" features a host of A-Star actors, led by Jennifer Lawrence and Leonardo Dicaprio. He has been married to Cat Wilson since December 21, 2003. 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. 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. 28. Martin Fitzgerald Lawrence (born April 16, 1965) is an American stand-up comedian, actor, producer, talk show host, and writer. Jennifer Lawrence is certainly one of the most famous Lawrences on this list. He is the fourth African-American male to Ossie Davis was born on December 18, 1917 in Cogdell, Georgia, USA. He has appeared in a range of film genres portraying character roles and is particularly known for his distinctive deep voice. (German-Irish Actor and Racing Driver) 141 42 Listed In: Film & Theater Personalities Birthdate: April 2, 1977 Sun Sign: Aries Birthplace: Heidelberg, Germany Height: 6'0" (183 cm) Celebrity Names: Starting With I Starting With J 11 Matt LeBlanc (Famous for His Role of 'Joey Tribbiani' in the TV Sitcom 'Friends') 146 37 As a child, Phylicia, her older brother Andrew (called Tex), and younger sister, dancer and actress Debbie Allen, lived in Mexico. Then be sure to vote up all of the celebrities with the surname Lawrence that you've heard of. In 1984, Larenz and his family moved to California. [2] She debuted in the Spaghetti Western The Great Silence and went on to appear in blaxploitation films such as Hammer, Melinda, Blacula, Shaft in Africa, Detroit 9000, and 1974's Thomasine & Bushrod alongside her then-boyfriend Max Julien. frame. 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 portrays "Dr. Sheldon Hawkes", a reclusive coroner who walked away from a promising surgical career after the traumatic loss of two patients. Kamil McFadden had appeared in a couple of short movies before he burst into the mainstream with a role in the television show House of Payne. She is an actress and producer, known for A Haunted House (2013), How High (2001) and Same Difference (2019). How many celebrities named Lawrence or Laurence can you think of? .more He died on February 4, 2005 in Miami Beach, Florida, USA. 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! 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. He also writes and directs, and is a singer/songwriter. In April 2007, Newsweek called him "the most powerful actor in Hollywood". He was an actor and director, known for History of the World: Part I (1981), Running Scared (1986) and Renaissance Man (1994). Lawrence Hilton-Jacobs (born September 4, 1953) is an American actor and singer. 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). In April 2007, Newsweek called him "the most powerful actor in Hollywood". Although he studied Political Science while at Amherst, Wright left the school with a love for acting. He later began his acting career Olugbenga Enitan Temitope Akinnagbe is an American actor and writer, best known for his roles as Chris Partlow on the HBO series The Wire and as Larry Brown on the HBO series The Deuce. He grew up in poverty as the son of farmers, with his father also driving a cab in Nassau. He has since left his modeling career and has worked on Gladiator (2000) 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 died on February 4, 2005 in Miami Beach, Florida, USA. She lived in Zambia until political unrest caused her family to move back to the UK, where she lived in Actress | He is an actor, known for Antwone Fisher (2002), Glory Road (2006) and Captain America: The First Avenger (2011). 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. Taraji Penda Henson is an American actress and singer. She's an actress and singer, best known for her many roles on Broadway. 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 first came to public notice as a singer and songwriter with the controversial and influential band N.W.A. Then, her parents packed up to move back to the US and settled in Fresno, California. His Sharon Leal is a military brat. 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), . They have four children. He is best known for playing Cedric Daniels in The Wire and Phillip Broyles in Fringe. 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. How many celebrities with the last name Lawrence can you think of? Leon can be seen in the Show:me Drama "City on A Hill". 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. Some of these were additional locations of existing restaurants. 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. James Earl Jones. 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. His recent credits include Warner Bros.' "Man of Steel", The CW's "Emily Owens, M.D. He was an actor and director, known for History of the World: Part I (1981), Running Scared (1986) and Renaissance Man (1994). Beer Barrel Polka and Tonight You Belong To Me are among his popular songs. (Sam Jones Barbecue's new Raleigh outpost and Heim Barbecue's new Mockingbird Lane location in Dallas are notable examples.) 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. 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. The list is organized chronologically, grouping actors by their birth year. He is noted as a conductor of the music of Handel. She began appearing on commercials at the age of four. He died on August 9, 2003 in Forest Steven Whitaker has packaged a king-size talent into his hulking 6' 2", 220 lb. Lawrence Timmons, 36 Football Player. frame. 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. He graduated from the London Academy of Music and Dramatic Art (LAMDA), and received the "Scholarship for Excellence" from Nicholas Hytner in 1998.David Nate Parker was born on November 18, 1979 in Norfolk, Virginia, USA. Vanessa and her brother grew up in suburban New York in comfortable surroundings. Larry David is certainly one of the most famous Larrys on this list. Her mother was a university administrator and her father was a high school principal stationed in West Berlin with the U.S. Army. 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. 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. The famous Larrys below have many different professions, including notable actors named Larry, famous athletes named Larry, and even musicians named Larry. He has acted in films, like "Bad Boys", "Blue Streak", and "Big Momma's House". 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. Rollins graduated from Towson State College, where he studied theater. Here's my top 50 Black Actors of all time. Off-screen he is a social activist, educator and author dedicated to enriching the lives of others. She was named by her godmother, who claimed she saw a vision of Alfre's name written out in gold letters. After graduating from high school, Denzel enrolled at Actress | Denzel Hayes Washington, Jr. was born on December 28, 1954 in Mount Vernon, New York. He was previously married to Ruby Dee. Martin Lawrence is an American comedian and actor with a net worth of $110 million. Born in Texas, Forest Whitaker was a college football player who turned to studying opera and drama. Image Source. Angela Evelyn Bassett was born on August 16, 1958 in New York City, to Betty Jane (Gilbert), a social worker, and Daniel Benjamin Bassett, a Bill Cosby is one of the world's most well-known entertainers and comedians. He is an actor and director, known for Star Trek: Generations (1994), Star Trek: First Contact (1996) and Star Trek: Nemesis (2002). His Giancarlo Giuseppe Alessandro Esposito was born in Copenhagen, Denmark, to an Italian carpenter/stagehand father from Naples, Italy, and an African-American opera singer mother from Alabama. Famous Birthdays. 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. 7. He is known for his roles as B. Who Is The Most Famous Lawrence Or Laurence In The World? 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 started acting at the age of 21. frame. Lawrence's father served in the U.S. military and left the family when Martin was 8 years old. 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). His Anthony Mackie is an American actor. He was the youngest of four children born to Howard E. Rollins Sr. (steelworker) and Ruth R. Rollins (domestic worker). Sidney had little formal Denzel Hayes Washington, Jr. was born on December 28, 1954 in Mount Vernon, New York. !, Nothing to Lose, Life and Blue Streak. He made his feature debut as Sgt. He subsequently made his film debut in the ghetto-themed Cornbread, Earl and Me (1975). Other popular Pooch Hall was born on February 8, 1976, in Brockton, Massachusetts. He won Best Supporting Actor awards for "Do the Right Thing" and "MCing HBO's Def Comedy Jam". Martin Fitzgerald Lawrence is an African-American comedian, producer, writer, director and actor. Ruby Dee was an American actress, poet, playwright, screenwriter, journalist and civil rights activist. 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.