Lawrence Hilton-Jacobs
Biography
Lawrence Hilton-Jacobs, born September 4, 1953, in New York City, New York, is an American actor and singer. He began his acting career in the summer of 1969 after a brief period at Wilkes University. He is the fifth of nine children born to West Indian parents Hilton Jacobs, who died in 2009, and Clothilda Jacobs, who died around 2000. His screen credits include the films Claudine (1974), Cooley High (1975), Bangers and Mash (1983) and the television productions Roots (1977), Welcome Back, Kotter (1975) where he was credited as Lawrence‑Hilton Jacobs, and The Jacksons: An American Dream (1992). The database lists him with approximately ninety acting credits.
Career overview
Lawrence Hilton‑Jacobs, born on September 4 1953 in New York City, began his acting career in the summer of 1969 after a brief period of study at Wilkes University. He entered the industry as a young performer and quickly secured roles in both film and television. Early screen appearances include the 1974 feature film Claudine, followed by a part in the 1975 movie Cooley High. That same year he joined the cast of the popular sitcom Welcome Back, Kotter, where his credit appeared as Lawrence‑Hilton Jacobs.
Throughout the late 1970s and 1980s Hilton‑Jacobs continued to work steadily, contributing to the landmark television miniseries Roots in 1977 and appearing in the 1983 production Bangers and Mash. In the early 1990s he portrayed a role in the television film The Jacksons: An American Dream (1992). Over the course of his career he accumulated a total of ninety credited performances across movies and television series. His body of work reflects a consistent presence in American entertainment from the early 1970s through the early 1990s, encompassing a range of genres and notable productions.
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Frequent co-stars
Career timeline
Full Filmography
95 titles- Jupiter Jones (2026) as Cameron Sanders
- When They're Gone (2026) as Richard “Ricky” Fowler
- Breakdown: 1975 (2025) as Self
- War Dawgz (2025) as Lawrence Slate
- The Contract (2024) as Frank Mann
- The Devil Ain't Pius (2024) as Pius Montgomery
- Family Portrait (2023) as Benjamin
- Sherri (2022) as Self - Guest
- The Proud Family: Louder and Prouder (2022) as Chuck (voice)
- Escape from Death Block 13 (2021) as Agent Langley
- Burning Sky (2020) as narration
- Shooting Heroin (2020) as Edward
- The Perfect Mate (2020) as Rev. Adams
- A House Divided (2019) as Cameran Sanders
- A Chance in the World (2017) as Willie Robinson
- Dead Man Rising (2017) as Warden Dallas
- 31 (2016) as Panda Thomas
- Hollywont (2016)
- The Christmas Gift (2015) as Wesley Hardin Johnson Sr.
- Playin' for Love (2015) as Coach Preston Reid
- Mercy for Angels (2015) as Chief
- Tamales and Gumbo (2015) as Mr. Walker
- Nocturnal Agony (2014) as Theodore
- Airplane vs Volcano (2014) as Jim Kirkland
- Let's Stay Together (2011)
- Preacher's Kid (2010) as Myke
- Directors on Directing (2009) as Self
- Chuck (2007) as President of Zamibia
- Sublime (2007) as Mandingo
- 30 Miles (2005) as Anthony
- That's So Raven (2003) as Mr. Carter
- ABC's 50th Anniversary Celebration (2003) as Self
- Killer Drag Queens on Dope (2003) as Mr. Fly
- Remembering Roots (2002) as Self
- Southlander: Diary of a Desperate Musician (2001) as Motherchild
- Gilmore Girls (2000) as Principal Merton
- Girlfriends (2000) as Leonard James
- Static Shock (2000) as Driver (voice)
- Mr. Right Now! (1999) as Darnell Greene
- L.A. Doctors (1998) as Robert Edwards
- Tidal Wave: No Escape (1997) as Marlan Clark
- Moesha (1996) as Rushion Brooks
- The Jamie Foxx Show (1996) as Milton
- E! True Hollywood Story (1996)
- Sliders (1995) as Lawrence Hilton-Jacobs / The People's Proponent
- The Wayans Bros. (1995) as Richie
- Charlie Grace (1995) as Detective Gossett
- Ellen (1994) as Lawrence Hilton-Jacobs
- Weird Science (1994)
- Diagnosis: Murder (1993) as Sgt. Baker
- Indecent Behavior (1993) as Lou Parsons
- Firepower (1993) as Ring Announcer
- Renegade (1992)
- Martin (1992) as Kevin Jones
- The Jacksons: An American Dream (1992) as Joseph Jackson
- Tuesday Never Comes (1992) as Druilet
- Quiet Fire (1991) as Jesse Palmer
- Quiet Fire (1991) Director
- Kill Crazy (1990) as Robin
- Chance (1990) as Jon Chance
- Alien Nation (1989) as Sergeant Dobbs
- Angels of the City (1989) as Detective Jon Chance
- Angels of the City (1989) Writer
- Angels of the City (1989) Director
- Angels of the City (1989) Music
- L.A. Heat (1989) as Jon Chance
- East L.A. Warriors (1989) as Chesare
- L.A. Vice (1989) as Jon Chance
- Roseanne (1988)
- Paramedics (1988) as Blade Runner
- Sky Captain (1985)
- On The Boulevard (1984)
- Fame (1982)
- Hill Street Blues (1981)
- Hill Street Blues (1981) as Crumley
- Simon & Simon (1981) as Gordon Tate
- Lewis & Clark (1981)
- Darkroom (1981) as Young Man
- The Annihilators (1981) as Garrett Floyd
- For the Love of It (1980) as Al Leon
- Paris (1979)
- Youngblood (1978) as Rommel
- The Comedy Company (1978) as Russell Dodd
- Roots (1977) as Noah
- Donny & Marie (1976) as Self
- Battle of the Network Stars (1976)
- The Captain and Tennille (1976) as Self - Guest
- Baretta (1975)
- Welcome Back, Kotter (1975) as Freddie Washington
- Cooley High (1975) as Richard "Cochise" Morris
- Death Wish (1974) as Mugger in Park #2 (uncredited)
- The Gambler (1974) as Street Basketball Boy (uncredited)
- Claudine (1974) as Charles
- The Mike Douglas Show (1961) as Self - Guest
- The Therapy Sessions
Frequently Asked Questions
What movies or TV shows is Lawrence Hilton-Jacobs best known for?
Lawrence Hilton-Jacobs is widely recognized for notable roles and projects including Jupiter Jones (2026), When They're Gone (2026), Sherri (2022), The Proud Family: Louder and Prouder (2022).
When and where was Lawrence Hilton-Jacobs born?
Lawrence Hilton-Jacobs was born on September 4, 1953 in New York City, New York, USA.
How many credits does Lawrence Hilton-Jacobs have?
Lawrence Hilton-Jacobs has accumulated over 95 film and television credits across a career spanning from 1961 to 2026.
What is Lawrence Hilton-Jacobs's background in cinema and television?
Lawrence Hilton-Jacobs, born September 4, 1953, in New York City, New York, is an American actor and singer. He began his acting career in the summer of 1969 after a brief period at Wilkes University. He is the fifth of nine children born to West Indian parents Hilton Jacobs, who died in 2009, and Clothilda Jacobs, who...
Lawrence Hilton-Jacobs by the numbers
Age in their best-rated roles
- Static Shock (2000) as Driver (voice) — aged about 46
- Gilmore Girls (2000) as Principal Merton — aged about 46
- Chuck (2007) as President of Zamibia — aged about 53
- Sliders (1995) as Lawrence Hilton-Jacobs / The People's Proponent — aged about 41
- Hill Street Blues (1981) — aged about 27
- Hill Street Blues (1981) as Crumley — aged about 27
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