Richard Lawson
Acting
Biography
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.
Notable Works
Prominent titles featuring Richard Lawson
Poltergeist
1982
Dirty Harry
1971
Wag the Dog
1997
Guess Who
2005
Coming Home
1978
Lemonade
2016
Audrey Rose
1977
Filmography
Acting (46)
2025
Aftershock: The Nicole P. Bell Storyas Al Sharpton
2024
Tyler Perry's Divorce in the Blackas Clarence
7.2
2023
CHAAW: Chapter 1as Chief of Police
2023
Black Terroras Talk Show Host
2021
A Holiday Chanceas Garvin
8.7
2021
Not Aloneas Dr. James Clay
5.3
2021
North Hollywoodas Adolf's Dad
5.4
2019
Always a Bridesmaidas Carlton Blakeston Sr.
6.8
2019
7.8
2019
From Zero to I Love Youas Ron Logsdon
5.0
2019
6.8
2016
Lemonadeas Self (home footage)
8.4
2015
A Royal Family Christmasas Leighton Royal
4.0
5.0
2010
For Colored Girlsas Frank
6.8
2008
Love for Saleas Uncle Mac
6.0
2006
The Last Standas Winston
4.1
2005
Guess Whoas Marcus
6.0
2004
Christmas at Water's Edgeas Mr. Turner
7.3
2003
Blue Hill Avenueas Uncle Rob
6.7
2003
Maniac Mageeas Mr. Beale
8.0
1999
Jackie's Back!as Milkman Summers (Jackie's Ex-Husband #1)
6.9
1999
Justiceas Gus
4.8
1998
5.8
1997
Wag the Dogas Young Man / CIA
6.9
1989
Double Your Pleasureas Dash
6.3
1989
The Forgottenas Sgt. Frank " Doc " McDermott
5.8
1986
Johnnie Mae Gibson: FBIas Adam Prentice
6.5
1986
Under the Influenceas Dr. Duran
5.9
1985
Stickas Cornell
5.4
1984
Streets of Fireas Officer Ed Price
6.9
1982
Poltergeistas Ryan
7.2
1980
The Jericho Mileas R.C. Stiles
6.0
1980
The Golden Moment: An Olympic Love Storyas Gene Davis
1979
The Main Eventas Hector Mantilla
5.3
1979
Charlestonas James Harris
8.0
1978
Coming Homeas Pat
7.0
1977
Black Fistas Leroy Fisk
4.4
1977
Audrey Roseas Policeman #1
5.7
1975
Crossfireas Officer Ken Dillard
8.0
1974
Sugar Hillas Valentine
5.8
1973
Scream Blacula Screamas Willis Daniels
5.9
1971
Dirty Harryas Homosexual (uncredited)
7.5
Production & Directing (2)
2023
Black TerrorDirector
2023
Black TerrorExecutive Producer