Black PR Wire Power Profiler on Mark Christopher Lawrence

Editor’s Note: Black PR Wire consultant, Carla Cody, recently conducted a personal interview with noted celebrity Mark Christopher Lawrence. The interview will be featured as an Audio Power Profiler for Black Digital Network during the entire month of October.

Mark Christopher Lawrence is one of Hollywood’s most sought after character actors. In addition to displaying a variety of theatrical skills, this diverse actor also excels as a producer, a vocalist, a comedian, and a literary scholar. To the tribute of his memorable charm and hilarious wit, Lawrence continues to meet the demands, and overcome challenges in the world of entertainment. Best known for his role of Mix Master Tone Def, in the cult classic “Fear of a Black Hat,” Lawrence utilized his creative talents as a character actor and besieged audiences in this comical spoof based on “This is Spinal Tap,” about a Gangsta Rap group named N.W.H.

As a native of Compton, California, Lawrence and his two siblings were raised in a neighborhood submerged in incessant crime and corruption. In spite of this, his single mother grounded him with a strong sense of values and self worth, resulting in a young Lawrence evading violent street life and discovering other ways to entertain himself. An innate and unrefined talent of imitating and mimicking neighborhood companions, coupled with his astonishing ability to adopt mannerisms and develop characters, Lawrence was able to remain on the correct path and away from crime.

Lawrence has performed in dozens of plays and won a Dramalogue Award for his performance in Reza Abdoh’s, Minimanta. For his role in Glass House (Ken Davis), Lawrence won an NAACP award and soon after gained the attention of film director, James Cameron, who had cast him as the insane asylum Burly Attendant in the action-thriller, Terminator II. Impressed by his ability to bring life to a virtually unscripted role, Cameron extended Lawrence’s two days of work into several weeks of production; hence, the launching of Lawrence’s flourishing career.

Deriding from the hip-hop culture of today, “Mix Master Tone-Def” in Fear of a Black Hat was the role that landed Lawrence instant fame and credibility as a Hollywood notable. This role, coupled with Hip-Hop’s immense commercial success, has expanded this film’s fan culture worldwide; thus, making Lawrence a distinctive cult icon. Thereafter, this constant entertainer continued to depict a variety of comedic and dramatic characters in feature films: The Pursuit of Happyness (starring Will Smith), The Island, Lost Treasure, Crimson Tide, K-Pax, Tales From the Hood, Planet of the Apes, That Darn Cat, and Fair Game. His small screen credits include: Life Is Ruff, Reba, Seinfeld, Hot Properties, Coach, 3rd Rock From the Sun, Touched by an Angel, Malcolm in the Middle, and Dharma and Greg. He was a series regular on The George Wendt Show and The Mullets where he portrayed “Bill,” the next-door neighbor. Lawrence also starred in the Disney movie of the week Life is Ruff and the CBS mini-series Shake, Rattle and Roll, portraying an astounding depiction of “Fats Domino.” In the near future, Lawrence can be seen as the host of SHOUT! An Evening of Gospel Comedy. The SHOUT DVD features up and coming comedians and musicians and singers, as well as seasoned professionals.

To listen to the audio interview with Mark Christopher Lawrence, click on the red icon below: