aurence has been acting in films and on stage since he was 10, starting on the soap opera One Life To Live, then making his feature film debut in Cornbread, Earl and Me at 12. At 14, he was cast in a show for the Negro Ensemble Theater and accepted to the High School of Performing Arts. At 15, he was heading off to the Philippines for work with some of the greatest actors of our time under the most extreme circumstances for the epic motion picture Apocalypse Now.

Following Apocalypse Now, Laurence returned to his New York home base, Brooklyn, and continued to rack up impressive credits. Laurence has also appeared in Class Action, King of New York, Red Heat, Nightmare on Elm Street 3, Cotton Club and Rumble Fish.His television experience includes Decoration Day for Hallmark Hall of Fame, For Us The

Living for PBS, Rumor of War for CBS, and numerous other starring or guest starring roles. His versatility is a gift and he has been able to land roles not initially earmarked for black actors.

At the same time that Laurence Fishburne consistently breaks new ground, he appreciates that which is hallowed. In reflecting on those actors such as Sidney Poitier and Morgan Freeman that have paved the way, Laurence says, "The power of their presence alone spoke to me, made me believe I could do the same thing." He has also worked with "ancestral memory" and finds it a "source of spiritual strength. I believe ancestors push me here, push me there, and guide me...they are a resource to be valued and respected."

Respect has come full circle.