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Laurence Criner‌

Gender

Male

Birthday

calendar

Popularity

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Laurence Criner

Laurence Criner

Gender

Male

Birthday

calendar

Popularity

star0.8

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 films produced by Hollywood's first Black studio, Million Dollar Productions, and his leading ladies were (then legends in the making) Lena Horne in "The Duke Is Tops," Nina Mae McKinney in "Gang Smashers," Theresa Harris in "Gangsters on the Loose," Louise Beavers in "Life Goes On," Ruby Dee in "What A Guy," and a young Dorothy Dandridge played Lawrence's daughter in "Four Shall Die." His Hollywood screen credits were "Black Moon," "Up Jumped The Devil," "King of the Zombies" (where Lawrence played a Doctor, a far cry from Hollywood's usual stereotyping of Black males), "The Gang's All Here," "Sullivan's Travels," "Freckles Come Home," and "Law of the Jungle" where he was teamed with comedy legend Mantan Moreland. "One Dark Night," "Mr. Smith Goes Ghost," "Gang War," "While Thousands Cheer," "Am I Guilty?" "Pigmeat's Laugh Hepcats," and "Miracle in Harlem" are his other film credits. His last film was "The Jackie Robinson Story" where he gave a memorable performance as the minister who encourages Jackie Robinson to accept the offer to be the first Black to play in major league baseball. Lawrence Criner is honored in African American film history for helping in the development and enhancement of films with people of color by providing positive images and non-stereotypes. Another one of his achievements was he served in both WWI and in the Navy in WWII.

Movie Credits

Black Moon

Black Moon‌
star5.1
calendar 1934

While Thousands Cheer

While Thousands Cheer‌
star0.0
calendar 1940

The Millionaire

The Millionaire‌
star0.0
calendar 1927

Bargain with Bullets

Bargain with Bullets‌
star0.0
calendar 1937

The Duke Is Tops

The Duke Is Tops‌
star6.7
calendar 1938

Miracle in Harlem

Miracle in Harlem‌
star6.2
calendar 1948

The Gang's All Here

The Gang's All Here‌
star5.0
calendar 1941

Up Jumped the Devil

Up Jumped the Devil‌
star0.0
calendar 1941

Midnight Shadow

Midnight Shadow‌
star3.7
calendar 1939

The Flying Ace

The Flying Ace‌
star6.0
calendar 1926

The Jackie Robinson Story

The Jackie Robinson Story‌
star6.4
calendar 1950

Gang War

Gang War‌
star5.8
calendar 1940

Four Shall Die

Four Shall Die‌
star0.0
calendar 1940

Pigmeat's Laugh Hepcats

Pigmeat's Laugh Hepcats‌
star0.0
calendar 1947

Mr. Smith Goes Ghost

Mr. Smith Goes Ghost‌
star0.0
calendar 1940

Life Goes On

Life Goes On‌
star0.0
calendar 1938

What a Guy

What a Guy‌
star0.0
calendar 1948

Gang Smashers

Gang Smashers‌
star0.0
calendar 1938

Am I Guilty?

Am I Guilty?‌
star0.0
calendar 1940

King of the Zombies

King of the Zombies‌
star5.2
calendar 1941

Freckles Comes Home

Freckles Comes Home‌
star5.0
calendar 1942

Black Gold

Black Gold‌
star0.0
calendar 1928

Tv Credits