Richard Lawson Net Worth

Richard Lawson: Net Worth, Career, Personal Life, and More

Early Life and Military Service

Richard Lawson, a versatile actor with a career spanning several decades, was born on March 7, 1947, in Loma Linda, California. His early life was marked by a period of service to his country. As a young adult, Lawson was drafted into the U.S. Army. He served as a medic and spent 21 months in Vietnam during the Vietnam War, an experience that undoubtedly shaped his perspective and contributed to the depth he brought to his acting roles.

Film Career: From Blaxploitation to Blockbusters

Lawson’s film career began in 1971 with an uncredited role in the Clint Eastwood action thriller “Dirty Harry.” This marked the beginning of a diverse filmography, including roles in several significant films. He gained recognition for his appearances in the blaxploitation film “Scream Blacula Scream” in 1973, followed by roles in “Fox Style” and “Sugar Hill.”

Lawson’s career then took him through a variety of genres, from the supernatural horror of “Poltergeist” (1982), where he played Dr. Ryan Mitchell, to the action-crime film “Streets of Fire” (1984), in which he portrayed Officer Ed Price. He later appeared in the romantic dramedy “How Stella Got Her Groove Back” in the late 1990s, showcasing his ability to adapt to different types of roles. Additional film credits include “Audrey Rose,” “Coming Home,” “The Main Event,” “Stick,” “Blue Hill Avenue,” “Black Listed,” “Guess Who,” “I’m Through with White Girls,” “Love for Sale,” and Tyler Perry’s “For Colored Girls.”

Television Career: Guest Roles and Recurring Characters

Richard Lawson’s television career began in 1973 with guest appearances on series like “Shaft” and “Kojak.” He continued to appear in guest roles on various shows over the subsequent years, showcasing his versatility. These included roles in “Get Christie Love!,” “The Streets of San Francisco,” “Police Woman,” and “The Fantastic Journey.”

In 1977, Lawson secured his first main television role in the Australian series “Hotel Story,” although the show was cancelled before its premiere. He transitioned into television films, appearing in “Charleston,” “Buffalo Soldiers,” and Michael Mann’s Emmy Award-winning “The Jericho Mile.” He continued with television films throughout the 1980s, with credits including “Leadfoot,” “Under the Influence,” and “The Forgotten.” Lawson also starred in the short-lived NBC series “Chicago Story” and had a recurring role as Nick Kimball in the primetime soap opera “Dynasty.” During this time, he made guest appearances on shows such as “V,” “Hardcastle and McCormick,” “St. Elsewhere,” “Wiseguy,” and “227.” Towards the end of the decade, he began a recurring role as Detective Nathaniel Hawthorne on “The Days and Nights of Molly Dodd,” which continued until 1991.

From 1992 to 1993, Lawson played Lucas Barnes on the long-running ABC soap opera “All My Children.” He then took on guest roles in shows like “Saved by the Bell: The New Class,” “Picket Fences,” “Good News,” “Moesha,” and “L.A. Doctors.” He concluded the 1990s with a recurring role as Victor Sims in the sitcom “Sister, Sister” and appeared in the television film “Jackie’s Back.” His television career continued with guest appearances in the 2000s, including “JAG,” “Strong Medicine,” “The District,” “For the People,” “Dead Like Me,” “All of Us,” and “Numb3rs.” He also appeared in the 2003 Nickelodeon television film “Maniac Magee.” In 2011, Lawson had a substantial role in the Australian mockumentary miniseries “Angry Boys.” More recent credits include episodes of “Real Husbands of Hollywood,” “Being Mary Jane,” “Saints & Sinners,” “Stitchers,” and “Grey’s Anatomy.” In 2017, he portrayed Joe Jackson in the biographical television film “Michael Jackson: Searching for Neverland.” In 2018, he played the father of Erica Ash’s character in the BET show “In Contempt.”

Personal Life and Family Connections

Richard Lawson’s personal life has been of significant interest to the public, especially due to his connections within the entertainment industry. From 1978 to 1989, he was married to actress and singer Denise Gordy, the niece of Motown founder Berry Gordy. They had a daughter, Bianca Lawson, who has also built a successful acting career.

In 2015, Richard Lawson married Tina Knowles, the mother of singers Beyonce and Solange Knowles. Lawson and Knowles divorced in July 2023. This marriage brought Bianca Lawson into a step-family relationship with Beyoncé and Solange. Denise Gordy’s first biological son is Marvin Gaye III, making Bianca and Marvin half-siblings. Richard Lawson also has another child, a son named Ricky.

Richard Lawson’s Net Worth

Richard Lawson’s net worth is estimated to be $1 million. His net worth reflects his successful and consistent career in both film and television over several decades. His numerous acting credits, spanning various genres and roles, have contributed to his financial standing.

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