The actor Laurence Fishburne turns 63
With a body of work that spans over four decades, that includes one of his most popular roles as Morpheus in “The Matrix” trilogy movies, he has become a respected and influential figure in Hollywood
The actor Laurence Fishburne turns 63
Laurence Fishburne was born on July 30, 1961, in Augusta, Georgia, USA. Raised in Brooklyn, New York, by his mother, Hattie Bell Fishburne, a junior high school mathematics and science teacher, he discovered his passion for acting at a young age. His father, Laurence John Fishburne Jr., was a corrections officer. The early separation of his parents led to Fishburne spending much of his childhood with his mother.
Fishburne’s acting career began early; he made his stage debut at age 10 and his film debut at age 12 in “If You Give a Dance, You Gotta Pay the Band” (1972). His breakout role came at 14 when he was cast in Francis Ford Coppola’s “Apocalypse Now” (1979). Despite lying about his age to secure the role, his performance as Tyrone “Mr. Clean” Miller gained critical acclaim and set the stage for his future in Hollywood.
Throughout the 1980s, Fishburne built a solid foundation with roles in films such as “Rumble Fish” (1983) and “The Cotton Club” (1984), both directed by Coppola, and “School Daze” (1988), directed by Spike Lee. His versatility allowed him to transition seamlessly between television and film, with significant roles in TV series like “Pee-wee’s Playhouse” (1986-1990), where he played Cowboy Curtis.
The 1990s marked a period of significant growth for Fishburne. His portrayal of Ike Turner in “What’s Love Got to Do with It” (1993), opposite Angela Bassett, earned him an Academy Award nomination for Best Actor. This role highlighted his ability to portray complex and deeply flawed characters.
Fishburne’s career reached new heights with his iconic role as Morpheus in the “Matrix” trilogy (1999-2003). His performance in these science fiction films earned him global recognition and solidified his status as a major star. Simultaneously, Fishburne continued to deliver powerful performances in films such as “Boyz n the Hood” (1991), “Searching for Bobby Fischer” (1993), and “Event Horizon” (1997).
In the 2000s and beyond, Fishburne expanded his repertoire with diverse roles in film, television, and theater. He starred in the critically acclaimed film “Mystic River” (2003), directed by Clint Eastwood, and joined the cast of “CSI: Crime Scene Investigation” (2008-2011) as Dr. Raymond Langston. His television work also includes a compelling performance as Jack Crawford in the series “Hannibal” (2013-2015).
Fishburne has also been active in theater, winning a Tony Award for Best Featured Actor in a Play for his role in “Two Trains Running” (1992). He continues to take on challenging roles, such as his portrayal of The Bowery King in the “John Wick” series (2017-present) and his voice work in animated projects like “The Lion King” (2019).
Laurence Fishburne married actress Hajna O. Moss in 1985, and they had two children, son Langston and daughter Montana, before divorcing in the 1990s. In 2002, he married actress Gina Torres, and they have a daughter named Delilah. The couple separated in 2016 and finalized their divorce in 2018.
He is also known for his philanthropic efforts, including supporting children’s education and the arts.
Today, with a body of work that spans over four decades, he has become a respected and influential figure in Hollywood.
Look back at Laurence Fishburne in character as the iconic “Morpheus” in “The Matrix”
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