Personal Info
J. Lawrence Criner
Laurence Criner
Acting
Biography
In his time was considered one of the most popular Black actors of stage and screen from the 1920s to the early 1950s starring in close to 30 films. He started his career as one of the members of the famed acting group The Lafayette Players. In 1926, he first starred in independently produced silent productions "The Flying Ace" and "Black Gold." In 1927, he starred in legendary Black film-maker Oscar Micheaux's "The Millionaire" and then in 1928 co-starred on Broadway in the hit "Meek Mose." In the late 1930's to the early 1940's, Lawrence became a leading man of "race films," starring in 12 f…
Known For
Filmography
Movies
The Jackie Robinson Story
as Minister - Reverend Carter (uncredited)
What a Guy
Miracle in Harlem
as Albert Marshall
Pigmeat's Laugh Hepcats
Freckles Comes Home
as Roxbury B. Brown, III
The Gang's All Here
as Ham Shanks
King of the Zombies
as Dr. Couillie
Up Jumped the Devil
as Sheriff
Four Shall Die
as Roger Fielding
Gang War
as Lew Baron (as Lawrence Criner)