Richard Lawson
Acting Born Mar 7, 1947 Loma Linda, California, USA 98 credits
Biography
Richard Lee Lawson is an American actor born on March 7, 1947. He has maintained a career appearing in both motion pictures and television productions. Lawson is recognized for his work within genre films. His notable credits include the role of Ryan in the 1982 motion picture Poltergeist. Additionally, he portrayed the character Dr. Ben Taylor in the 1983 NBC miniseries titled V. His body of work spans multiple decades and encompasses various performance mediums in the entertainment industry.
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Frequent co-stars
RonReaco Lee
2 shared titles
Robert Walden
2 shared titles
Mary Jackson
2 shared titles
Taylor Polidore
1 shared title
Crystle Stewart
1 shared title
Amber Reign Smith
1 shared title
Xavier Smalls
1 shared title
Julian Horton
1 shared title
Steven G. Norfleet
1 shared title
Terrell Carter
1 shared title
Career timeline
Aftershock: The Nicole P. Bell Story
Beauty in BlackTyler Perry's Divorce in the BlackWill I See You Again?
CHAAW: Chapter 1
SherriThe Black Hamptons
North HollywoodA Holiday ChanceNot Alone
mixed-ishAlways a BridesmaidFrom Zero to I Love YouBeyoncé Presents: Making The GiftHorror Noire: A History of Black Horror
Shotguns and Six Strings: Making a Rock N Roll Fable
Saints & SinnersLemonade
StitchersA Royal Family HolidayA Royal Family Christmas
For Colored Girls
Love for Sale
They Are Here: The Real World of the Poltergeists
The Last Stand
Grey's AnatomyNumb3rsGuess Who
Christmas at Water's Edge
Dead Like MeAll of UsBlue Hill AvenueManiac Magee
Half & HalfFor the People
The DivisionThe Bernie Mac Show
Strong MedicineThe DistrictSoul Food
Judging AmyFamily LawJackie's Back!Justice
L.A. DoctorsHow Stella Got Her Groove Back
Wag the DogGood News
MoeshaPandora's Clock
JAGThe Parent 'Hood
Touched by an AngelSister, Sister
Saved by the Bell: The New Class
Father Dowling MysteriesDouble Your PleasureThe Forgotten
WiseguyThe Days and Nights of Molly Dodd
Under the InfluenceJohnnie Mae Gibson: FBI
MacGyverThe Comedy FactoryStick
Full Filmography
98 titles- Aftershock: The Nicole P. Bell Story (2025) as Al Sharpton
- Beauty in Black (2024) as Norman
- Tyler Perry's Divorce in the Black (2024) as Clarence
- Will I See You Again? (2024)
- CHAAW: Chapter 1 (2023) as Chief of Police
- Sherri (2022) as Self - Guest
- The Black Hamptons (2022) as Moses Britton
- North Hollywood (2021) as Adolf's Dad
- A Holiday Chance (2021) as Garvin
- Not Alone (2021) as Dr. James Clay
- mixed-ish (2019) as Lynwood
- Always a Bridesmaid (2019) as Carlton Blakeston Sr.
- From Zero to I Love You (2019) as Ron Logsdon
- Beyoncé Presents: Making The Gift (2019) as Self
- Horror Noire: A History of Black Horror (2019) as Self
- Shotguns and Six Strings: Making a Rock N Roll Fable (2017) as Self
- Saints & Sinners (2016) as Pastor Evan Johnson
- Lemonade (2016) as Self (home footage)
- Stitchers (2015) as Admiral Decker
- A Royal Family Holiday (2015)
- A Royal Family Christmas (2015) as Leighton Royal
- For Colored Girls (2010) as Frank
- Love for Sale (2008) as Uncle Mac
- They Are Here: The Real World of the Poltergeists (2007) as Himself
- The Last Stand (2006) as Winston
- Grey's Anatomy (2005) as Bill Pierce
- Numb3rs (2005) as Clay Porter, Sr. (uncredited)
- Guess Who (2005) as Marcus
- Christmas at Water's Edge (2004) as Mr. Turner
- Dead Like Me (2003) as William Garrett
- All of Us (2003)
- Blue Hill Avenue (2003) as Uncle Rob
- Maniac Magee (2003) as Mr. Beale
- Half & Half (2002) as Ben
- For the People (2002) as Clay Portman
- The Division (2001) as LaBon
- The Bernie Mac Show (2001) as Bishop
- Strong Medicine (2000) as Alton Clayborne
- The District (2000) as Richard Gray
- Soul Food (2000) as Rev. Bobby Baxter
- Judging Amy (1999) as Thomas Horne
- Family Law (1999) as Chuck
- Jackie's Back! (1999) as Milkman Summers (Jackie's Ex-Husband #1)
- Justice (1999) as Gus
- L.A. Doctors (1998) as Gary Miller
- How Stella Got Her Groove Back (1998) as Jack
- Wag the Dog (1997) as Young Man / CIA
- Good News (1997)
- Moesha (1996) as Marlon James
- Pandora's Clock (1996) as Daniel Robb
- JAG (1995) as Dan Craig
- The Parent 'Hood (1995)
- Touched by an Angel (1994) as Nicholas Freeman
- Sister, Sister (1994) as Victor Sims
- Saved by the Bell: The New Class (1993) as Judge Thurston Jones
- Father Dowling Mysteries (1989)
- Double Your Pleasure (1989) as Dash
- The Forgotten (1989) as Sgt. Frank " Doc " McDermott
- Wiseguy (1987)
- The Days and Nights of Molly Dodd (1987) as Det. Nathaniel Hawthorne
- Under the Influence (1986) as Dr. Duran
- Johnnie Mae Gibson: FBI (1986) as Adam Prentice
- MacGyver (1985) as Jesse Colton
- The Comedy Factory (1985) as Dr. Julius Pepper
- Stick (1985) as Cornell
- The Cosby Show (1984) as Mr. Bostic
- Streets of Fire (1984) as Officer Ed Price
- Hardcastle and McCormick (1983)
- V (1983) as Dr Ben Taylor
- St. Elsewhere (1982) as The Messiah
- T. J. Hooker (1982) as Officer David McNeil
- Remington Steele (1982) as Monroe Henderson
- Poltergeist (1982) as Ryan
- Chicago Story (1982) as Detective O.Z. Tate
- Dynasty (1981) as Nick Kimball
- Magnum, P.I. (1980) as Gerald Calvin
- The Jericho Mile (1980) as R.C. Stiles
- The Golden Moment: An Olympic Love Story (1980) as Gene Davis
- The Main Event (1979) as Hector Mantilla
- Charleston (1979) as James Harris
- The White Shadow (1978) as David Mackey
- Coming Home (1978) as Pat
- What Really Happened to the Class of '65? (1977)
- The Fantastic Journey (1977) as Barker
- Audrey Rose (1977) as Policeman #1
- Black Fist (1977) as Leroy Fisk
- Crossfire (1975) as Officer Ken Dillard
- Good Times (1974)
- Sugar Hill (1974) as Valentine
- Kojak (1973) as 1st Suspect
- Scream Blacula Scream (1973) as Willis Daniels
- The Streets of San Francisco (1972)
- All in the Family (1971) as Angry Black Man
- Dirty Harry (1971) as Homosexual (uncredited)
- Medical Center (1969)
- Black Terror as Talk Show Host
- Black Terror Director
- Black Terror Executive Producer
Frequently Asked Questions
What movies or TV shows is Richard Lawson best known for?
Richard Lawson is widely recognized for notable roles and projects including Beauty in Black (2024), Sherri (2022), Stitchers (2015), Grey's Anatomy (2005).
When and where was Richard Lawson born?
Richard Lawson was born on March 7, 1947 in Loma Linda, California, USA.
How many credits does Richard Lawson have?
Richard Lawson has accumulated over 98 film and television credits across a career spanning from 1969 to 2025.
What is Richard Lawson's background in cinema and television?
Richard Lee Lawson is an American actor born on March 7, 1947. He has maintained a career appearing in both motion pictures and television productions. Lawson is recognized for his work within genre films. His notable credits include the role of Ryan in the 1982 motion picture Poltergeist. Additionally, he portrayed th...