Richard Lawson was born on the 7th March 1947, in Loma Linda, California USA. He is an actor well known for his roles of Ryan in the cult film “Poltergeist” (1982) as well as Dr. Ben Taylor in the television series “V.” (1983). Richard Lawson has been accumulating his net worth being active in the entertainment industry since 1971.
Is the actor who has been seen on screens for over five decades rich? Under the latest estimations, he is inducted into the list of celebrity millionaires as the net worth of Richard Lawson is estimated to be more than $1 million.
Richard Lawson Net Worth $1 Million
To give some background information, the actor studied at Hayward High School, then at the Riverside City College. However, he dropped out after completing the first year. Richard then served in the US Army as a combat medic in the Vietnam War, during which he was awarded the Purple Heart for a minor injury he suffered during his service. Afterwards, he studied at the Chabot Junior College located in Hayward, California, majoring in law and joining the team of debaters. Having an authoritative, resonant and strong voice he was successful in debates, then decided to pursue the career of an actor.
Richard Lawson has now successfully starred in more than 20 theatrical films, as well as more than 10 television films, not to count appearances in various television series and plays. Richard is known for his roles in such films as “Black Fist” (1974) directed by Timothy Galfas and Richard Kaye, “How Stella Got Her Groove Back” (1998) directed by Kevin Rodney Sullivan among others. Lawson has also created a number of unforgettable roles on television, for instance parts in the series “Chicago Story” (1982), “The Days and Nights of Molly Dodd”(1988–1991) and similar. Among the most successful roles are the one landed in the soap opera “All My Children” (1970) for which the actor won an NAACP Image Award. Furthermore, Lawson won several awards for his roles in plays; the first L.A. Drama Critics Award he won for the role in “Streamers” (1977), and the second award for his role in “Ma Rainey’s Black Bottom” (1987). All the above mentioned roles added significant sums to the total size of Richard Lawson’s net worth.
Acting hasn’t been the only source of his income, though. Richard has worked as a director and teacher at The Beverly Hills Playhouse, and another source of his income is Richard Lawson Studios which are owned and operated by Richard personally, which offers acting classes, scene study, audition techniques, business administration as well as film-making.
Finally, in the personal life of the actor, he has been married twice. Richard Lawson married the actress Denise Gordy in 1978; together they have a daughter, Bianca Lawson with whom the actor appeared in an episode of television series “Saved by the Bell: The New Class” (1993). Denise and Richard divorced in 1989. Since 2015 he has been married to the actress and costume designer Tina Knowles.
Poltergeist, For Colored Girls, Scream Blacula Scream, How Stella Got Her Groove Back, Streets of Fire, Blue Hill Avenue, Sugar Hill, The Jericho Mile, Wag the Dog, Black Fist, I'm Through with White Girls, Christmas at Water's Edge, The Main Event, From Zero to I Love You, Black Listed, Stick, Back...
TV Shows
The Days and Nights of Molly Dodd, V, Chicago Story
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I'm an actor. It's no struggle for me any more than it would be for a marathon champion to train by running 5 to 10 miles a day. I've accepted the process of what it takes to be an artist. Sure, I've been out of work, I've been without money, but it's not a struggle. It's what I do.
Served in the Vietnam War as a combat medic and was awarded the Purple Heart.
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He graduated from Hayward High School in 1965 and went to Riverside City College for a year and a half before he dropped out and was drafted into the Army three months later.
Lawson has won two L.A. Drama Critics Awards: one for the play "Streamers" (1977), and another for "Ma Rainey's Black Bottom" (1987). In addition, he won a NAACP Image Award for his role on the TV soap opera All My Children (1970) in 1992.
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After serving a year's duty in Vietnam, he went to Chabot Junior College in Hayward, California and joined the debate team with the intention of pursuing law. His voice was so strong, resonant and authoritative that he decided to become an actor instead.
Survived the crash of USAir flight 405 on March 22, 1992. The plane, which took off from New York's LaGuardia Airport crashed into the waters of the Long Island Sound shortly after take-off.
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He has been a master scene study teacher and director at The Beverly Hills Playhouse with Milton Katselas for over 30 years. In addition, he owns and operates the Richard Lawson Studios (RLS). RLS offers several classes and professional development workshops, including: scene study, on-camera class, audition techniques, filmmaking, and business administration.
