Laurence Fishburne Bio
Laurence John Fishburne III (born July 30, 1961) is an American actor known for his powerful performances on stage and screen. He gained fame for his roles in films such as ‘Apocalypse Now’, ‘Boyz n the Hood’, and as Morpheus in ‘The Matrix’ trilogy. A talented actor, Fishburne has received numerous accolades including an Academy Award nomination for Best Actor and has won multiple Emmys and a Tony Award. Over his extensive career, he has continuously impressed audiences with his range and depth in diverse roles, making him a prominent figure in Hollywood.
Early Life and Background
Laurence Fishburne was born in Augusta, Georgia, to Hattie Bell, a junior high school mathematics and science teacher, and Laurence John Fishburne, Jr., a juvenile corrections officer. After his parents divorced during his childhood, he moved with his mother to Brooklyn, New York, where he was raised. His father saw him once a month. Fishburne graduated from Lincoln Square Academy in New York, which closed in the 1980s. In his 40s, Fishburne learned that Laurence John Fishburne, Jr. was not his biological father. In 2025, on an episode of Finding Your Roots, he discovered that his biological father was a man named William Seigel Bohannan, who was stationed at Fort Gordon when he met Fishburne’s mother, a USO volunteer.
Path to Hollywood
Fishburne began his acting career at the age of 11, receiving positive reviews for his role in the ABC Theater teleplay ‘If You Give a Dance You Gotta Pay the Band’. He soon portrayed Joshua Hall on the ABC soap opera ‘One Life to Live’. His most memorable childhood role was in ‘Cornbread, Earl and Me’, where he played a young boy who witnessed the police shooting of a popular high school basketball star. He later earned a supporting role in ‘Apocalypse Now’, portraying Tyrone Miller, a cocky 17-year-old Gunner’s Mate 3rd Class from the Bronx, nicknamed Mr. Clean. Fishburne spent much of the 1980s in and out of television and periodically on stage, appearing in films such as ‘The Color Purple’ and ‘A Nightmare on Elm Street 3: Dream Warriors’.
Laurence Fishburne Career
Early Career (1972–1989)
Fishburne’s early career was marked by roles in television and film. He earned a recurring role as Cowboy Curtis on Paul Reubens’ CBS children’s television series ‘Pee-wee’s Playhouse’. He also appeared in the M*A*S*H episode ‘The Tooth Shall Set You Free’. In 1989, he guest-starred on the CBS action drama series ‘The Equalizer’. His stage work during this period included performances in ‘Short Eyes’ and ‘Loose Ends’, both produced at Second Stage Theatre in New York City.
Breakthrough (1990–2007)
Fishburne’s breakthrough came in the early 1990s with his role in ‘Boyz n the Hood’ (1991), which garnered him significant recognition. He won a Tony Award for his stage performance in the August Wilson play ‘Two Trains Running’ in 1992 and an Emmy Award for his performance in the anthology series ‘TriBeCa’. In 1993, he received his first Academy Award nomination for his portrayal of Ike Turner in ‘What’s Love Got to Do With It’. Fishburne became widely known for his role as Morpheus in the ‘Matrix’ trilogy, starting with the first film in 1999.
Notable Works and Milestones
Laurence Fishburne is best known for his role as Morpheus in ‘The Matrix’ trilogy, which solidified his status as a leading actor in Hollywood. He has received numerous accolades, including an Academy Award nomination, multiple Emmy Awards, and a Tony Award, showcasing his versatility and talent across various mediums.
Laurence Fishburne Award Nominations
Throughout his career, Laurence Fishburne has received several nominations for prestigious awards, including an Academy Award nomination for Best Actor for his role in ‘What’s Love Got to Do With It’.
Laurence Fishburne Awards Won
Laurence Fishburne has won several notable awards, including a Tony Award for Best Featured Actor in a Play for ‘Two Trains Running’ and an Emmy Award for his performance in ‘TriBeCa’.
Laurence Fishburne Family
Laurence Fishburne was married to actress Hajna O. Moss from 1985 to 1990, and they have two children together, Langston and Montana Fishburne. He later married actress Gina Torres in 2002, and they welcomed a daughter, Delilah, in 2007. Fishburne and Torres divorced in 2018.
Personal Life
Laurence Fishburne lives in Hollywood and maintains a residence in New York City. He is a fan of Brazilian author Paulo Coelho and has expressed interest in producing a film based on Coelho’s novel ‘The Alchemist’. In a 2025 episode of Finding Your Roots, Fishburne discovered he has a half-sister and half-brother. Fishburne continues to be an influential figure in the entertainment industry, with upcoming projects including a role in the fourth season of ‘The Witcher’ and the American action spy thriller ‘The Amateur’, set for release in 2025.
