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.
STRAW
Richard
2025
Paradise
Fred Collins · (1 episode)
2025
Horizon: An American Saga - Chapter 2
2024
The Big Cigar
Walter · (6 episodes)
2024
A Hero's Journey: The Making of Percy Jackson and the Olympians
Self - Chiron
2024
Percy Jackson and the Olympians
Mr. Brunner / Chiron · (4 episodes)
2023
Rustin
A. Philip Randolph
2023
Outlaw Johnny Black
Bullseye Black
2023
80 for Brady
Mickey
2023
Guillermo del Toro's Cabinet of Curiosities
Sheriff Nate Craven · (1 episode)
2022
Is That Black Enough for You?!?
Self
2022
The Legend of Glynn Turman
G.T.
2022
The Devil You Know
Lloyd Cowans
2022
The Proud Family: Louder and Prouder
Pa (voice) · (1 episode)
2022
Women of the Movement
Mose Wright · (6 episodes)
2022
Chadwick Boseman: Portrait of an Artist
Self
2021
Ma Rainey's Black Bottom: A Legacy Brought to Screen
Self - Presenter
2020
Ma Rainey's Black Bottom
Toledo
2020
Power Book II: Ghost
Gabriel · (1 episode)
2020
The Way Back
Doc
2020
FBI: Most Wanted
Terry Daniels · (1 episode)
2020
Sextuplets
Leland
2019
Justine
Papa Don
2019
Windows on the World
Lou
2019
The Red Line
Nathan Gordon · (1 episode)
2019
Bumblebee
General Whalen
2018
The Neighborhood
Otis · (2 episodes)
2018
Solace
Clay (Pastor Davis)
2018
The Killing Floor
Self
2017
Lorraine Hansberry: Sighted Eyes / Feeling Heart
Self
2017
August 28: A Day in the Life of a People
2017
Mr. Mercedes
Judge Bernard Raines · (6 episodes)
2017
American Gods
Reverend Hutchins · (1 episode)
2017
Race
Harry E. Davis
2016
How to Get Away with Murder
Nathaniel Lahey · (8 episodes)
2014
black-ish
Billy Blade · (1 episode)
2014
Fargo
Doctor Senator · (6 episodes)
2014
Late Night with Seth Meyers
Self · (1 episode)
2014
Act Like You Love Me
David Lofton
2013
John Dies at the End
Detective Lawrence 'Morgan Freeman' Appleton
2013
Revolution
Major David Kipling · (1 episode)
2012
The Obama Effect
Slim Sugar
2012
City Teacher
Kevin Sawyer
2012
Alcatraz
Emmitt Little · (1 episode)
2012
House of Lies
Jeremiah Kaan · (58 episodes)
2012
The Pastor's Secret
2012
Suits
Vic · (1 episode)
2011
Super 8
Dr. Woodward
2011
Burlesque
Harold Saint
2010
The Defenders
Judge Bob Owens · (5 episodes)
2010
Takers
Chief Detective Duncan
2010
FlashForward
Senator Noland · (1 episode)
2009
NCIS: Los Angeles
James Pierce · (1 episode)
2009
Preaching To The Pastor
Bishop Hightower
2009
In Treatment
Alex Prince Sr. · (4 episodes)
2008
Murder 101: The Locked Room Mystery
Sheriff Bob Monroe
2008
Kings of the Evening
Clarence Brown
2008
Uncle P
Dr. Niles
2007
Criminal Minds
Charles Johnson · (1 episode)
2005
Sahara
Dr. Frank Hopper
2005
The Seat Filler
Derrick's Dad
2004
The Wire
Clarence Royce · (21 episodes)
2002
The Bernie Mac Show
Carl · (2 episodes)
2001
Scrubs
George · (1 episode)
2001
Law & Order: Criminal Intent
Roy Hines · (1 episode)
2001
Air Rage
Ted Bigelow
2001
The Visit
Parole Board Member Reingold
2001
Fire & Ice
Robert Aimes Sr.
2001
Men of Honor
Chief Floyd
2000
Freedom Song
T-Bone Lanier
2000
Light It Up
Principal Allan Armstrong
1999
Law & Order: Special Victims Unit
Dr. Young · (1 episode)
1999
How Stella Got Her Groove Back
Dr. Shakespeare
1998
The Magnificent Seven
Achilles Thompson/Hector Thompson · (1 episode)
1998
Buffalo Soldiers
Sgt. Joshua 'Joyu' Judges Ruth
1997
Rebound: The Legend of Earl 'The Goat' Manigault
Coach Powell
1996
Millennium
James Glen · (1 episode)
1996
Subterfuge
Stallworth Hubbs
1996
Someone Else's Child
Judge Roullard
1994
Touched by an Angel
Sheriff Ernie Guthrie · (1 episode)
1994
ER
Mr. Holmes · (1 episode)
1994
The Inkwell
Spencer Phillips
1994
Deep Cover
Russell Stevens Sr.
1992
A Different World
Colonel Bradford Taylor
1987
A Different World
Colonel Brad Taylor · (122 episodes)
1987
Ask Max
Lloyd Lyman
1986
Out of Bounds
Lieutenant Delgado
1986
The Twilight Zone
(segment "Paladin of the Lost Hour") · (1 episode)
1985
Hail to the Chief
Secretary of State LaRue Hawkins · (7 episodes)
1985
Charlotte Forten's Mission: Experiment in Freedom
Joshua
1985
Murder, She Wrote
Stan Lassiter · (1 episode)
1984
Murder, She Wrote
Earl Browder · (1 episode)
1984
Murder, She Wrote
Ben Coleman · (1 episode)
1984
Secrets of a Married Man
Jesse
1984
Gremlins
Roy Hanson
1984
Manimal
Ty Earl
1983
Penitentiary II
Charles Johnson
1982
T. J. Hooker
Norman Powell · (1 episode)
1982
Thornwell
James Thornwell
1981
Attica
Raymond Franklin
1980
Katie: Portrait of a Centerfold
Preston de Cordiva
1978
Centennial
Nate Person · (12 episodes)
1978
The Paper Chase
(1 episode)
1978
A Hero Ain't Nothin' But a Sandwich
Nigeria
1977
The Serpent's Egg
Monroe
1977
The Richard Pryor Special?
Booster Johnson
1977
Minstrel Man
Harry Brown Jr.
1977
The Tapestry
1976
The Tony Randall Show
(1 episode)
1976
J.D.'s Revenge
Isaac / 'Ike'
1976
The River Niger
Jeff Williams
1976
Cooley High
Leroy "Preach" Jackson
1975
Carter's Army
Pvt. George Brightman
1975
The Blue Knight
Edwin Beall
1975
Ceremonies in Dark Old Men
Theo
1975
The Nine Lives of Fritz the Cat
1974
Together Brothers
Dr. Johnson
1974
Thomasine & Bushrod
Jomo J. Anderson
1974
Five on the Black Hand Side
Gideon
1973
AWOL
Mohammed G.
1972
Honky
Sailor at Bus Station
1971
In Search of America
Bodhi
1971
Room 222
(1 episode)
1969