Skip to main content
Glynn Turman

Glynn Turman

Acting1947New York City, New York, USA

Biography

Glynn Russell Turman, born on January 31, 1947, in New York City, is a revered American stage, television, and film actor as well as a writer, whose career spans decades. He gained early recognition for his role as Leroy "Preach" Jackson in the 1975 film "Cooley High." Turman's talent shone on Broadway, earning a Tony Award for "The Great White Hope." He's renowned for TV work in "The Wire," math professor and retired Army colonel Bradford Taylor on the NBC sitcom "A Different World," fictional Baltimore mayor Clarence Royce on the HBO drama series "The Wire" and "House of Lies." His filmography includes impactful roles in "Gremlins" and "Ma Rainey's Black Bottom." With a captivating presence, Turman continues to enthrall audiences, showcasing remarkable versatility and depth in his performances.

Acting History

2025
STRAW
as Richard
Percy Jackson and the Olympians
TVas Mr. Brunner / Chiron / Chiron3 eps
Paradise
TVas Fred Collins1 eps
2023
Rustin
as A. Philip Randolph
Outlaw Johnny Black
as Bullseye Black
2022
The Devil You Know
as Lloyd Cowans
The Proud Family: Louder and Prouder
TVas Pa (voice)2 eps
Guillermo del Toro's Cabinet of Curiosities
TVas Sheriff Nate Craven1 eps
FBI: Most Wanted
TVas Terry Daniels1 eps
2020
Fargo
TVas Doctor Senator6 eps
black-ish
TVas Billy Blade1 eps
Power Book II: Ghost
TVas Gabriel1 eps
2019
Sextuplets
as Leland
Justine
as Papa Don
American Gods
TVas Reverend Hutchins1 eps
Mr. Mercedes
TVas Judge Bernard Raines6 eps
Justine
Executive Producer
2018
Bumblebee
as General Whalen
Solace
as Clay (Pastor Davis)
How to Get Away with Murder
TVas Nathaniel Lahey8 eps
Suits
TVas Vic1 eps
2016
Race
as Harry E. Davis
2014
2013
John Dies at the End
as Detective Lawrence 'Morgan Freeman' Appleton
Act Like You Love Me
as David Lofton
Criminal Minds
TVas Charles Johnson1 eps
2012
The Obama Effect
as Slim Sugar
City Teacher
as Kevin Sawyer
NCIS: Los Angeles
TVas James Pierce1 eps
Revolution
TVas David Kipling1 eps
House of Lies
TVas Jeremiah Kaan58 eps
Alcatraz
TVas Emmitt Little1 eps
2011
Super 8
as Dr. Woodward
2010
Burlesque
as Harold Saint
Takers
as Chief Detective Duncan
The Defenders
TVas Judge Bob Owens5 eps
2009
Preaching To The Pastor
as Bishop Hightower
FlashForward
TVas Senator Noland1 eps
Scrubs
TVas George1 eps
2008
Kings of the Evening
as Clarence Brown
In Treatment
TVas Alex Prince Sr.4 eps
ER
TVas Mr. Holmes1 eps
2007
Uncle P
as Dr. Niles
2006
Law & Order: Special Victims Unit
TVas Dr. Young1 eps
2005
Sahara
as Dr. Frank Hopper
2004
The Seat Filler
as Derrick's Dad
The Bernie Mac Show
TVas Carl2 eps
The Wire
TVas Clarence Royce22 eps
2003
Law & Order: Criminal Intent
TVas Roy Hines1 eps
2001
The Visit
as Parole Board Member Reingold
Air Rage
as Ted Bigelow
Fire & Ice
as Robert Aimes Sr.
2000
Men of Honor
as Chief Floyd
Freedom Song
as T-Bone Lanier
Touched by an Angel
TVas Sheriff Ernie Guthrie1 eps
1999
Light It Up
as Principal Allan Armstrong
The Magnificent Seven
TVas Achilles Thompson/Hector Thompson1 eps
1998
1997
Buffalo Soldiers
as Sgt. Joshua 'Joyu' Judges Ruth
Millennium
TVas James Glen1 eps
Hangin' with Mr. Cooper
TVDirector1 eps
1995
The Parent 'Hood
TVDirector8 eps
1994
The Inkwell
as Spencer Phillips
Someone Else's Child
as Judge Roullard
1992
Deep Cover
as Russell Stevens Sr.
1991
A Different World
TVDirector4 eps
1990
Freddy's Nightmares
TVas Dr. Redman1 eps
1988
A Different World
TVas Colonel Brad Taylor122 eps
1987
Matlock
TVas Dennis Orlando2 eps
1986
Out of Bounds
as Lieutenant Delgado
1985
Murder, She Wrote
TVas Stan Lassiter / Ben Coleman / Earl Browder1 eps
The Twilight Zone
TVas (segment "Paladin of the Lost Hour")1 eps
1984
Gremlins
as Roy Hanson
T. J. Hooker
TVas Norman Powell1 eps
1982
Penitentiary II
as Charles Johnson
1981
Thornwell
as James Thornwell
Dynasty
TVDirector
1980
Attica
as Raymond Franklin
1978
Katie: Portrait of a Centerfold
as Preston de Cordiva
Centennial
TVas Nate Person12 eps
1975
Carter's Army
as Pvt. George Brightman
Cooley High
as Leroy "Preach" Jackson
The Blue Knight
as Edwin Beall
1971
Honky
as Sailor at Bus Station

Social Media

Personal Info

Known For
Acting
Gender
Male
Birthday
1/31/1947(79 years old)
Place of Birth
New York City, New York, USA