About
Laurence Fishburne is an accomplished American actor known for his powerful portrayals of authoritative and militant characters across stage and screen. He first gained attention in Francis Ford Coppola's Apocalypse Now. Fishburne garnered further recognition for his role in Boyz n the Hood. He is most widely recognized for his iconic role as Morpheus in The Matrix trilogy and his more recent role as the Bowery King in the John Wick film series.
Career Timeline
Apocalypse Now Breakthrough
At age 14, Fishburne lied about his age to get cast in Francis Ford Coppola's 'Apocalypse Now'. The acclaimed film gave him early industry credibility and began his long relationship with Coppola.
Boyz n the Hood Recognition
Fishburne's powerful performance as Furious Styles in John Singleton's 'Boyz n the Hood' earned critical acclaim. This role established him as a serious dramatic actor and increased his profile significantly.
What's Love Got to Do
Fishburne portrayed Ike Turner in the Tina Turner biopic, earning an Academy Award nomination for Best Actor. This recognition placed him among Hollywood's elite dramatic actors and commanded higher salaries.
The Matrix Phenomenon
As Morpheus in 'The Matrix', Fishburne became part of a global cultural phenomenon that grossed over $460 million worldwide. The iconic role made him internationally famous and a major action star.
Matrix Trilogy Completion
The Matrix sequels, while less critically acclaimed, were massive box office successes. Fishburne's involvement in the complete trilogy solidified his A-list status and substantially increased his wealth.
CSI Television Success
Fishburne joined CSI: Crime Scene Investigation as Dr. Raymond Langston, one of TV's highest-rated shows. While lucrative, the move to television was seen as a step down from film stardom.
Hannibal Critical Acclaim
Fishburne starred in NBC's 'Hannibal' as Jack Crawford, earning critical praise. Though the show had modest ratings, it reinforced his reputation as a quality character actor in prestige television.
John Wick Franchise Entry
Fishburne joined the John Wick franchise as the Bowery King in 'John Wick: Chapter 2'. This recurring role in a successful action franchise kept him relevant in contemporary action cinema.
Respected Character Actor
Fishburne continues working steadily across film and television, including the John Wick franchise and various streaming projects. He's a well-known, respected veteran actor with an iconic legacy, maintaining solid B-tier status in the industry.
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Last updated: February 23, 2026