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Richard Lawson

Richard Lawson

Acting·1947·45 films

Richard Lee Lawson (born March 7, 1947) is an American actor who has starred in movies and on television. He is perhaps best known for his roles in genre films; he portrayed Ryan in the 1982 film Poltergeist, and Dr. Ben Taylor in the 1983 NBC miniseries V.

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As Actor

Poltergeist
Poltergeist (1982)Ryan
Dirty Harry
Dirty Harry (1971)Homosexual (uncredited)
Wag the Dog
Wag the Dog (1997)Young Man / CIA
Guess Who
Guess Who (2005)Marcus
Streets of Fire
Streets of Fire (1984)Officer Ed Price
Coming Home
Coming Home (1978)Pat
Lemonade
Lemonade (2016)Self (home footage)
Audrey Rose
Audrey Rose (1977)Policeman #1
How Stella Got Her Groove Back
How Stella Got Her Groove Back (1998)Jack
For Colored Girls
For Colored Girls (2010)Frank
Tyler Perry's Divorce in the Black
Tyler Perry's Divorce in the Black (2024)Clarence
Scream Blacula Scream
Scream Blacula Scream (1973)Willis Daniels
Horror Noire: A History of Black Horror
Horror Noire: A History of Black Horror (2019)Self
The Main Event
The Main Event (1979)Hector Mantilla
Sugar Hill
Sugar Hill (1974)Valentine
The Jericho Mile
The Jericho Mile (1980)R.C. Stiles
Stick
Stick (1985)Cornell
North Hollywood
North Hollywood (2021)Adolf's Dad
Blue Hill Avenue
Blue Hill Avenue (2003)Uncle Rob
From Zero to I Love You
From Zero to I Love You (2019)Ron Logsdon
Always a Bridesmaid
Always a Bridesmaid (2019)Carlton Blakeston Sr.
Justice
Justice (1999)Gus
Black Fist
Black Fist (1977)Leroy Fisk
Beyoncé Presents: Making The Gift
Beyoncé Presents: Making The Gift (2019)Self
Jackie's Back!
Jackie's Back! (1999)Milkman Summers (Jackie's Ex-Husband #1)
Love for Sale
Love for Sale (2008)Uncle Mac
The Last Stand
The Last Stand (2006)Winston
Under the Influence
Under the Influence (1986)Dr. Duran
The Forgotten
The Forgotten (1989)Sgt. Frank " Doc " McDermott
Double Your Pleasure
Double Your Pleasure (1989)Dash
Christmas at Water's Edge
Christmas at Water's Edge (2004)Mr. Turner
Not Alone
Not Alone (2021)Dr. James Clay
A Royal Family Christmas
A Royal Family Christmas (2015)Leighton Royal
A Holiday Chance
A Holiday Chance (2021)Garvin
Johnnie Mae Gibson: FBI
Johnnie Mae Gibson: FBI (1986)Adam Prentice
Crossfire
Crossfire (1975)Officer Ken Dillard
Charleston
Charleston (1979)James Harris
A Royal Family Holiday
A Royal Family Holiday (2015)
The Golden Moment: An Olympic Love Story
The Golden Moment: An Olympic Love Story (1980)Gene Davis
Shotguns and Six Strings: Making a Rock N Roll Fable
Shotguns and Six Strings: Making a Rock N Roll Fable (2017)Self
They Are Here: The Real World of the Poltergeists
They Are Here: The Real World of the Poltergeists (2007)Himself
CHAAW: Chapter 1
CHAAW: Chapter 1 (2023)Chief of Police
Black Terror
Black TerrorTalk Show Host
Aftershock: The Nicole P. Bell Story
Aftershock: The Nicole P. Bell Story (2025)Al Sharpton
Will I See You Again?
Will I See You Again? (2024)

As Director

Black Terror
Black Terror