Laurence Fishburne III is a critically acclaimed actor, known for his authoritative and forceful performances. He has received numerous awards, including NAACP Image honors. Born on July 30, 1961, in Augusta, Georgia, Fishburne was raised in Brooklyn by his mother, a teacher, and his father, a juvenile corrections officer, after his parents divorced.
Fishburne began his acting career at the age of 10, appearing in a play in Manhattan. He continued to work as a child actor, but avoided the trappings of a child star. He made his film debut in the 1975 movie "Cornbread, Earl and Me" and gained recognition for his role in Francis Ford Coppola's "Apocalypse Now" in 1979.
Throughout the 1980s, Fishburne continued to build his film and TV credit list with featured roles. He gained popularity with his recurring role as Cowboy Curtis on the kiddie show "Pee-wee's Playhouse" and made guest appearances on several TV shows.
In the 1990s, Fishburne's career took off with his lead role in John Singleton's "Boyz n the Hood" in 1991. He went on to star in several films, including "What's Love Got to Do with It" opposite Angela Bassett, and "The Matrix" trilogy. He also made his screenwriting and directorial debut with the film "Once in the Life" in 2000.
Fishburne has continued to work in film and television, appearing in a variety of roles, including "Mystic River," "Akeelah and the Bee," "Predators," and "Contagion." He has also had a recurring role on the TV show "CSI: Crime Scene Investigation" and played the role of Perry White in the Superman movies "Man of Steel" and "Batman v Superman: Dawn of Justice."
In addition to his film and television work, Fishburne has also had a successful stage career, starring in several Broadway productions, including "Two Trains Running" and "Thurgood." He has won numerous awards for his performances, including a Tony Award and a Drama Desk Award.
Fishburne has been married twice, first to actress Hajna O. Moss, with whom he has two children, and then to Cuban-American actress Gina Torres.
