Birthday: 17 February 1910, New York City, New York, USA
Birth Name: Max Goldsmith
Height: 178 cm
American character actor who specialized in underworld types, despite a far greater range. A native of the Bronx, Lawrence participated in plays in school, then attended the City College of New York. In 1930, he was accepted into Eva Le Gallienne's company, where he became friendly with another young actor, one day to be known as John Garfield...
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American character actor who specialized in underworld types, despite a far greater range. A native of the Bronx, Lawrence participated in plays in school, then attended the City College of New York. In 1930, he was accepted into Eva Le Gallienne's company, where he became friendly with another young actor, one day to be known as John Garfield. The two appeared in a number of plays, both with Le Galliene's company and with the highly-politicized Group Theatre, before Lawrence was given a film contract with Columbia Pictures. His scarred complexion and brooding appearance made him a natural for heavies, and he played scores of gangsters and mob bosses over the next six decades. Nevertheless, he could turn in fine performances in very different kinds of roles as well, such as his bewildered mountain boy in The Shepherd of the Hills (1941). Following the Second World War, as anti-Communist fervor gripped America, Lawrence found himself under scrutiny for his political leanings. When called before the House Un-American Activities Committee, he admitted he had once been a member of the Communist Party. The Committee broke down his resolve and he named the names of other Party members. He was blacklisted and departed for Europe, where he continued to make films, often in leading roles. Following the demise of the blacklist, he returned to America and resumed his position as a familiar and talented purveyor of gangland types. A writer and director as well, Lawrence has remained active in his ninth decade. Show less «
I was typed as the arch gangster. It's this face -- what could I do about it?
I was typed as the arch gangster. It's this face -- what could I do about it?
[regarding his short-term membership in the Communist party in the 1930s] I went to about five or si...Show more »
[regarding his short-term membership in the Communist party in the 1930s] I went to about five or six meetings. When I got bored at home I'd go to a meeting. Show less «
I had this effect on people. I remember walking along the street and seeing Eddie Cantor's name up o...Show more »
I had this effect on people. I remember walking along the street and seeing Eddie Cantor's name up on one of the theaters, so I stopped by the ticket seller and asked him, 'When does Eddie go on?' He looked at me and went pale and said, 'You-you-you-you're the guy in that picture up the street!' He was petrified of me. So I went and watched that movie again and thought to myself 'Christ Almighty, what an ugly [expletive]!' Holes in my face, black eyes that pierce right through you. Here I thought I looked like Ronald Colman and the ticket seller was right. Show less «