Laurence Fishburne Biography

Actor. Born Laurence Fishburne III on July 30, 1961 in Augusta, Georgia. Raised in Brooklyn by his mother after his parents' divorce, Fishburne starting acting at age 12. He appeared primarily on television, including One Life to Live and Pee-Wee's Playhouse, and made his film debut at age 15 in Apocalypse Now.

It wasn't until the 1990s when Fishburne landed meatier roles on the big screen that he became a recognized actor. His string of successes built on his intense, solid performances and included 1991's Boyz N The Hood, 1992's What's Love Got to Do With It? (for which he received an Academy Award nomination), The Matrix and its sequels, and Mission: Impossible III.

Even as his films triumphed at the box office, Fishburne continued to nurture his stage career. He earned a Tony Award in 1992 for August Wilson's Two Trains Running and appeared recently in Wilson's Fences opposite Angela Bassett.

Fishburne was married to actress Hajna O. Moss; they have two children. He married actress Gina Torres in 2002; they are expecting their first child in 2007.

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