
Richard Lawson
Known for Acting · 96 credits
- Born
- 1947-03-07 (age 79)
- Place of birth
- Loma Linda, California, USA
Biography
Richard Lee Lawson (born March 7, 1947) is an American actor who has starred in movies and on television. He is perhaps best known for his roles in genre films; he portrayed Ryan in the 1982 film Poltergeist, and Dr. Ben Taylor in the 1983 NBC miniseries V.
Known For
TV Shows (50)

Grey's Anatomy
2005
as Bill Pierce

JAG
1995
as Dan Craig

Sherri
2022
as Self - Guest

MacGyver
1985
as Jesse Colton

Magnum, P.I.
1980
as Gerald Calvin

Dynasty
1981
as Nick Kimball

Judging Amy
1999
as Thomas Horne

Strong Medicine
2000
as Alton Clayborne

Numb3rs
2005
as Clay Porter, Sr. (uncredited)

The Cosby Show
1984
as Mr. Bostic

Touched by an Angel
1994
as Nicholas Freeman

T. J. Hooker
1982
as Officer David McNeil

St. Elsewhere
1982
as The Messiah

The Division
2001
as LaBon

Beauty in Black
2024
as Norman

Medical Center
1969

The District
2000
as Richard Gray

Remington Steele
1982
as Monroe Henderson

Moesha
1996
as Marlon James

Kojak
1973
as 1st Suspect

Sister, Sister
1994
as Victor Sims

The Bernie Mac Show
2001
as Bishop

Family Law
1999
as Chuck

Wiseguy
1987

Saved by the Bell: The New Class
1993
as Judge Thurston Jones

All in the Family
1971
as Angry Black Man

Hardcastle and McCormick
1983

The Streets of San Francisco
1972

Dead Like Me
2003
as William Garrett

Good Times
1974

Half & Half
2002
as Ben

All of Us
2003

The Parent 'Hood
1995

The White Shadow
1978
as David Mackey

The Days and Nights of Molly Dodd
1987
as Det. Nathaniel Hawthorne

L.A. Doctors
1998
as Gary Miller

Stitchers
2015
as Admiral Decker

mixed-ish
2019
as Lynwood

V
1983
as Dr Ben Taylor

Father Dowling Mysteries
1989

Soul Food
2000
as Rev. Bobby Baxter

The Comedy Factory
1985
as Dr. Julius Pepper

Saints & Sinners
2016
as Pastor Evan Johnson
For the People
2002
as Clay Portman

The Black Hamptons
2022
as Moses Britton

What Really Happened to the Class of '65?
1977

The Fantastic Journey
1977
as Barker
Good News
1997

Pandora's Clock
1996
as Daniel Robb

Chicago Story
1982
as Detective O.Z. Tate
Movies (46)

Dirty Harry
1971
as Homosexual (uncredited)

Poltergeist
1982
as Ryan

Guess Who
2005
as Marcus

Streets of Fire
1984
as Officer Ed Price

Tyler Perry's Divorce in the Black
2024
as Clarence

Wag the Dog
1997
as Young Man / CIA

Scream Blacula Scream
1973
as Willis Daniels

Stick
1985
as Cornell

How Stella Got Her Groove Back
1998
as Jack

For Colored Girls
2010
as Frank

Coming Home
1978
as Pat

Audrey Rose
1977
as Policeman #1

Lemonade
2016
as Self (home footage)

Jackie's Back!
1999
as Milkman Summers (Jackie's Ex-Husband #1)

The Forgotten
1989
as Sgt. Frank " Doc " McDermott

North Hollywood
2021
as Adolf's Dad

Justice
1999
as Gus

The Main Event
1979
as Hector Mantilla

From Zero to I Love You
2019
as Ron Logsdon

Horror Noire: A History of Black Horror
2019
as Self

Charleston
1979
as James Harris

Blue Hill Avenue
2003
as Uncle Rob

Under the Influence
1986
as Dr. Duran

The Last Stand
2006
as Winston

Sugar Hill
1974
as Valentine

Beyoncé Presents: Making The Gift
2019
as Self
Maniac Magee
2003
as Mr. Beale

A Holiday Chance
2021
as Garvin

The Jericho Mile
1980
as R.C. Stiles

Love for Sale
2008
as Uncle Mac

Johnnie Mae Gibson: FBI
1986
as Adam Prentice

A Royal Family Christmas
2015
as Leighton Royal

Shotguns and Six Strings: Making a Rock N Roll Fable
2017
as Self

Double Your Pleasure
1989
as Dash

Christmas at Water's Edge
2004
as Mr. Turner

Crossfire
1975
as Officer Ken Dillard

Black Fist
1977
as Leroy Fisk

The Golden Moment: An Olympic Love Story
1980
as Gene Davis

Will I See You Again?
2024

Always a Bridesmaid
2019
as Carlton Blakeston Sr.

Not Alone
2021
as Dr. James Clay

Black Terror
as Talk Show Host

CHAAW: Chapter 1
2023
as Chief of Police

Aftershock: The Nicole P. Bell Story
2025
as Al Sharpton

A Royal Family Holiday
2015

They Are Here: The Real World of the Poltergeists
2007
as Himself
About Richard Lawson
Richard Lee Lawson (born March 7, 1947) is an American actor who has starred in movies and on television. He is perhaps best known for his roles in genre films; he portrayed Ryan in the 1982 film Poltergeist, and Dr. Ben Taylor in the 1983 NBC miniseries V. With 96 credits spanning from 1969 to 2025, Richard Lawson has appeared in 46 films and 50 TV shows.
Fans searching for Richard Lawson movies, Richard Lawson filmography, or the latest projects starring Richard Lawson can stream many of these titles on HinFlix, free and in HD, with no subscription required.
Most Popular Richard Lawson Movies
- Dirty Harry (1971) — as Homosexual (uncredited)
- Poltergeist (1982) — as Ryan
- Guess Who (2005) — as Marcus
- Streets of Fire (1984) — as Officer Ed Price
- Tyler Perry's Divorce in the Black (2024) — as Clarence
Where to Watch Richard Lawson Films
Most Richard Lawson movies and series are available to stream on HinFlix in full HD, completely free and without signup. Browse the complete filmography above to jump directly to any title. For more films and the latest web series featuring Richard Lawson, check our movies catalogue and browse page.