Laurence Criner
Laurence Criner
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.
Known For Acting
Popularity 1.664
Birthday
Place of Birth
Also Known As J. Lawrence Criner,
Black Moon
1934

Black Moon

While Thousands Cheer
1940

While Thousands Cheer

The Millionaire
1927

The Millionaire

Bargain with Bullets
1937

Bargain with Bullets

The Duke Is Tops
1938

The Duke Is Tops

Miracle in Harlem
1948

Miracle in Harlem

The Gang's All Here
1941

The Gang's All Here

Up Jumped the Devil
1941

Up Jumped the Devil

Midnight Shadow
1939

Midnight Shadow

The Flying Ace
1926

The Flying Ace

The Jackie Robinson Story
1950

The Jackie Robinson Story

Gang War
1940

Gang War

Four Shall Die
1940

Four Shall Die

Pigmeat's Laugh Hepcats
1947

Pigmeat's Laugh Hepcats

Mr. Smith Goes Ghost
1940

Mr. Smith Goes Ghost

Life Goes On
1938

Life Goes On

What a Guy
1948

What a Guy

Gang Smashers
1938

Gang Smashers

Am I Guilty?
1940

Am I Guilty?

King of the Zombies
1941

King of the Zombies

Freckles Comes Home
1942

Freckles Comes Home

Black Gold
1928

Black Gold