Celebrity Info
Lawrence Gilliard, Jr. first emerged as a promising young leading man with his powerful debut in Straight Out of Brooklyn (1991), where he portrayed a teenager driven by family poverty to rob a drug dealer—leading to heartbreaking consequences. Back then, he was often credited simply as Larry Gilliard, Jr., but over time, Lawrence Gilliard, Jr. became more widely recognized for his compelling presence and nuanced performances. Following that breakthrough, Lawrence Gilliard, Jr. steadily built a diverse career, balancing lead roles in independent films with smaller, impactful appearances in mainstream cinema and television.
In 1993, Lawrence Gilliard, Jr. appeared briefly in Paul Mazursky’s The Pickle, showcasing his ability to make the most of limited screen time. Then, in Money Train (1995), he took on the role of an unnamed hoodlum, further cementing his typecasting as a streetwise character—a trend that would follow him throughout much of his early TV work. However, it was in Lotto Land—filmed in 1993 but not widely released until 1996—that Lawrence Gilliard, Jr. delivered a standout performance. In the film, he played a determined young man choosing a different path from his peers, resisting the lure of drug dealing and instead pinning his hopes on winning the lottery, delivering a portrayal that was both tender and tightly restrained.
On the small screen, Lawrence Gilliard, Jr. frequently found himself cast as tough urban figures. His first television role came in In the Line of Duty: Street Wars (1992), where he embodied the archetype that would become familiar to audiences. The following year, in the USA Network movie Survive the Night, Lawrence Gilliard, Jr. played a menacing gang leader preying on Stefanie Powers’ character, proving his skill at portraying intensity and menace. Around the same time, he joined the cast of the short-lived ABC series George, which starred boxing legend George Foreman and his sons. In this role, Lawrence Gilliard, Jr. served as Foreman’s loyal right-hand man—a dependable and versatile presence, much like Lawrence Gilliard, Jr. himself in the industry during those formative years.
When it comes to Lawrence Gilliard Jr.’s filmography, one standout performance definitely comes to mind—his role in One Night in Miami (2020), which happens to be Lawrence Gilliard Jr.’s highest rated movie. It’s clear that this powerful drama really showcased his talent and resonated well with both critics and audiences alike. On the other end of the spectrum, Lawrence Gilliard Jr. also appeared in The Substitute 2: School’s Out (1998), a film that, unfortunately, didn’t receive the same level of acclaim and is considered his lowest rated movie to date. While Lawrence Gilliard Jr. has taken on a variety of roles over the years, these two titles mark the high and low points in terms of critical reception. Still, Lawrence Gilliard Jr. continues to be a respected figure in the industry, known for bringing depth and authenticity to every project he’s part of.
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