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.
Known For
Poltergeist
(1982)
Ryan
Dirty Harry
(1971)
Homosexual (uncredited)
Guess Who
(2005)
Marcus
Wag the Dog
(1997)
Young Man / CIA
Streets of Fire
(1984)
Officer Ed Price
North Hollywood
(2021)
Adolf's Dad
How Stella Got Her Groove Back
(1998)
Jack
For Colored Girls
(2010)
Frank
Audrey Rose
(1977)
Policeman #1
Lemonade
(2016)
Self (home footage)
The Main Event
(1979)
Hector Mantilla
Coming Home
(1978)
Pat
Horror Noire: A History of Black Horror
(2019)
Self
Jackie's Back!
(1999)
Milkman Summers (Jackie's Ex-Husband #1)
Scream Blacula Scream
(1973)
Willis Daniels
Full Filmography
Acting
Dirty Harry
(1971)
Homosexual (uncredited)
Scream Blacula Scream
(1973)
Willis Daniels
Sugar Hill
(1974)
Valentine
Crossfire
(1975)
Officer Ken Dillard
Audrey Rose
(1977)
Policeman #1
Black Fist
(1977)
Leroy Fisk
Coming Home
(1978)
Pat
The Main Event
(1979)
Hector Mantilla
Charleston
(1979)
James Harris
The Jericho Mile
(1980)
R.C. Stiles
The Golden Moment: An Olympic Love Story
(1980)
Gene Davis
Poltergeist
(1982)
Ryan
Leadfoot
(1982)
Officer Venchek
Streets of Fire
(1984)
Officer Ed Price
Stick
(1985)
Cornell
Under the Influence
(1986)
Dr. Duran
Johnnie Mae Gibson: FBI
(1986)
Adam Prentice
The Forgotten
(1989)
Sgt. Frank " Doc " McDermott
Double Your Pleasure
(1989)
Dash
Wag the Dog
(1997)
Young Man / CIA
How Stella Got Her Groove Back
(1998)
Jack
Jackie's Back!
(1999)
Milkman Summers (Jackie's Ex-Husband #1)
Justice
(1999)
Gus
Blue Hill Avenue
(2001)
Uncle Rob
Maniac Magee
(2003)
Mr. Beale
Christmas at Water's Edge
(2004)
Mr. Turner
Guess Who
(2005)
Marcus
The Last Stand
(2006)
Winston
They Are Here: The Real World of the Poltergeists
(2007)
Himself
Love for Sale
(2008)
Uncle Mac
For Colored Girls
(2010)
Frank
A Royal Family Holiday
(2015)
A Royal Family Christmas
(2015)
Leighton Royal
Lemonade
(2016)
Self (home footage)
Shotguns and Six Strings: Making a Rock N Roll Fable
(2017)
Himself
Horror Noire: A History of Black Horror
(2019)
Self
Always a Bridesmaid
(2019)
Carlton Blakeston Sr.
From Zero to I Love You
(2019)
Ron Logsdon
Beyoncé Presents: Making The Gift
(2019)
Self
North Hollywood
(2021)
Adolf's Dad
Not Alone
(2021)
Dr. James Clay
A Holiday Chance
(2021)
Garvin
CHAAW: Chapter 1
(2023)
Chief of Police