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
Sherri
2022
as Self - Guest
JAG
1995
as Dan Craig
MacGyver
1985
as Jesse Colton
Magnum, P.I.
1980
as Gerald Calvin
Dynasty
1981
as Nick Kimball
Judging Amy
1999
as Thomas Horne
Numb3rs
2005
as Clay Porter, Sr. (uncredited)
The Cosby Show
1984
as Mr. Bostic
Strong Medicine
2000
as Alton Clayborne
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
Sister, Sister
1994
as Victor Sims
The Bernie Mac Show
2001
as Bishop
Kojak
1973
as 1st Suspect
Family Law
1999
as Chuck
Wiseguy
1987
Saved by the Bell: The New Class
1993
as Judge Thurston Jones
Hardcastle and McCormick
1983
The Streets of San Francisco
1972
All in the Family
1971
as Angry Black Man
Good Times
1974
All of Us
2003
Half & Half
2002
as Ben
The Parent 'Hood
1995
Dead Like Me
2003
as William Garrett
The White Shadow
1978
as David Mackey
Stitchers
2015
as Admiral Decker
L.A. Doctors
1998
as Gary Miller
The Days and Nights of Molly Dodd
1987
as Det. Nathaniel Hawthorne
mixed-ish
2019
as Lynwood
Father Dowling Mysteries
1989
Soul Food
2000
as Rev. Bobby Baxter
Saints & Sinners
2016
as Pastor Evan Johnson
V
1983
as Dr Ben Taylor
The Comedy Factory
1985
as Dr. Julius Pepper
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)
Poltergeist
1982
as Ryan
Dirty Harry
1971
as Homosexual (uncredited)
Guess Who
2005
as Marcus
Streets of Fire
1984
as Officer Ed Price
Wag the Dog
1997
as Young Man / CIA
Tyler Perry's Divorce in the Black
2024
as Clarence
Stick
1985
as Cornell
Scream Blacula Scream
1973
as Willis Daniels
Audrey Rose
1977
as Policeman #1
The Forgotten
1989
as Sgt. Frank " Doc " McDermott
Coming Home
1978
as Pat
How Stella Got Her Groove Back
1998
as Jack
For Colored Girls
2010
as Frank
Lemonade
2016
as Self (home footage)
North Hollywood
2021
as Adolf's Dad
Justice
1999
as Gus
Jackie's Back!
1999
as Milkman Summers (Jackie's Ex-Husband #1)
Charleston
1979
as James Harris
The Main Event
1979
as Hector Mantilla
Blue Hill Avenue
2003
as Uncle Rob
Horror Noire: A History of Black Horror
2019
as Self
From Zero to I Love You
2019
as Ron Logsdon
The Last Stand
2006
as Winston
Maniac Magee
2003
as Mr. Beale
The Golden Moment: An Olympic Love Story
1980
as Gene Davis
A Holiday Chance
2021
as Garvin
Under the Influence
1986
as Dr. Duran
Beyoncé Presents: Making The Gift
2019
as Self
Johnnie Mae Gibson: FBI
1986
as Adam Prentice
Black Fist
1977
as Leroy Fisk
Sugar Hill
1974
as Valentine
Crossfire
1975
as Officer Ken Dillard
The Jericho Mile
1980
as R.C. Stiles
Always a Bridesmaid
2019
as Carlton Blakeston Sr.
Shotguns and Six Strings: Making a Rock N Roll Fable
2017
as Self
Love for Sale
2008
as Uncle Mac
Double Your Pleasure
1989
as Dash
A Royal Family Christmas
2015
as Leighton Royal
Will I See You Again?
2024
Not Alone
2021
as Dr. James Clay
Christmas at Water's Edge
2004
as Mr. Turner
CHAAW: Chapter 1
2023
as Chief of Police
A Royal Family Holiday
2015
Aftershock: The Nicole P. Bell Story
2025
as Al Sharpton
Black Terror
as Talk Show Host
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 Bowood.TV, free and in HD, with no subscription required.
Most Popular Richard Lawson Movies
- Poltergeist (1982) — as Ryan
- Dirty Harry (1971) — as Homosexual (uncredited)
- Guess Who (2005) — as Marcus
- Streets of Fire (1984) — as Officer Ed Price
- Wag the Dog (1997) — as Young Man / CIA
Where to Watch Richard Lawson Films
Most Richard Lawson movies and series are available to stream on Bowood.TV 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.