Laurence Fishburne was born on July 30, 1961, in Augusta, Georgia. His mother, Hattie Bell (née Crawford), was a junior high school mathematics and science teacher, and his father, Laurence John Fishburne, Jr., was a juvenile corrections officer. After his parents divorced during his childhood, he moved with his mother to Brooklyn, New York, where he was raised.
Early Career
Fishburne’s acting career began at a young age. His first acting role was in 1972 for the ABC soap opera ‘One Life to Live.” He received positive reviews for his first acting role. At the age of 14, he made his film debut in “Cornbread, Earl and Me.” He then lied about his age to win the part of Clean, a gunner on a swift boat in Francis Ford Coppola’s Vietnam War epic, “Apocalypse Now.”
The experience of filming in the Philippines with a veteran moviemaking cast and crew had a profound impact on Fishburne, who became committed to succeeding in Hollywood. Initially, he found only roles as hoodlums, and he was happy to take the part of the lighthearted Cowboy Curtis on the children’s television show Pee-Wee’s Playhouse. He also became the first African American to portray Othello on film in Oliver Parker’s 1995 film adaptation of the Shakespeare play.
Fishburne is best known for his roles as Morpheus in “The Matrix” series, Jason “Furious” Styles in “Boyz n the Hood,” and Ike Turner in “What’s Love Got to Do with It,” for which he was nominated for an Academy Award for Best Actor. He has also received three Emmy Awards and a Tony Award. He received an Independent Spirit Award for Best Male Lead nomination for his performance in “Deep Cover” (1992). His role as Morpheus in “The Matrix” series is particularly iconic and has had a significant cultural impact.
Movie Wealth and Earnings
Fisburne’s wealth primarily comes from his successful acting career. He earned a significant amount from his roles in blockbuster films and popular television series. He earned around $15 million for the second and third installments of “The Matrix” series. During his prime on CSI, he raked in $350,000 for each episode, amounting to approximately $8 million per season. In recognition of his contributions to the television series Hannibal, he garnered a total compensation of $175,000 spanning 36 episodes. This equates to an approximate earnings of $6.3 million. He also receives a salary of $200,000 for each episode of Black-ish, serving in the dual capacity of lead actor and executive producer.
Other Income Sources
Fishburne owns a production company, Cinema Gypsy Productions. This venture allows him to work behind the scenes, producing films and television shows. In addition to his production company, Fishburne has also partnered with mobile entertainment games and was involved in a campaign for the World Series of Poker mobile game. He has also endorsed several brands like DirecTV and Kia.
Fishburne also stars in the podcast “Bronzeville” along with Larenz Tate and Tika Sumpter. The podcast is written by Academy Award and BAFTA nominee Josh Olson, known for “A History of Violence.” “Bronzeville” chronicles the lives of players in the lottery games while illuminating the self-sustainability of the community’s African American residents. The podcast has 25 episodes, has received positive reviews, and is another source of income for Fishburne..
In conclusion, Fishburne’s journey is a testament to his talent, versatility, and dedication to his craft. His impressive body of work and his contributions to the film and television industry have not only earned him critical acclaim but also financial success.
