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.
Known For
Bumblebee
(2018)
General Whalen
Takers
(2010)
Chief Detective Duncan
Gremlins
(1984)
Roy Hanson
Men of Honor
(2000)
Chief Floyd
Deep Cover
(1992)
Russell Stevens Sr.
Super 8
(2011)
Dr. Woodward
Horizon: An American Saga - Chapter 1
(2024)
Burlesque
(2010)
Harold Saint
Sahara
(2005)
Dr. Frank Hopper
80 for Brady
(2023)
Mickey
Rustin
(2023)
A. Philip Randolph
How Stella Got Her Groove Back
(1998)
Dr. Shakespeare
Sextuplets
(2019)
Leland
The Way Back
(2020)
Doc
A Hero's Journey: The Making of Percy Jackson and the Olympians
(2024)
Self - Chiron
John Dies at the End
(2013)
Detective Lawrence 'Morgan Freeman' Appleton
Full Filmography
Acting
Carter's Army
(1970)
Pvt. George Brightman
Honky
(1971)
Sailor at Bus Station
In Search of America
(1971)
Bodhi
AWOL
(1972)
Mohammed G.
Five on the Black Hand Side
(1973)
Gideon
Together Brothers
(1974)
Dr. Johnson
Thomasine & Bushrod
(1974)
Jomo J. Anderson
Cooley High
(1975)
Leroy "Preach" Jackson
Ceremonies in Dark Old Men
(1975)
Theo
The Blue Knight
(1975)
Edwin Beall
J.D.'s Revenge
(1976)
Isaac / 'Ike'
The Tapestry
(1976)
The River Niger
(1976)
Jeff Williams
A Hero Ain't Nothin' But a Sandwich
(1977)
Nigeria
Minstrel Man
(1977)
Harry Brown Jr.
The Richard Pryor Special?
(1977)
Booster Johnson
The Serpent's Egg
(1977)
Monroe
Katie: Portrait of a Centerfold
(1978)
Preston de Cordiva
Attica
(1980)
Raymond Franklin
Thornwell
(1981)
James Thornwell
Penitentiary II
(1982)
Charles Johnson
Manimal
(1983)
Ty Earl
Gremlins
(1984)
Roy Hanson
Secrets of a Married Man
(1984)
Jesse
Charlotte Forten's Mission: Experiment in Freedom
(1985)
Joshua
Out of Bounds
(1986)
Lieutenant Delgado
Ask Max
(1986)
Lloyd Lyman
Deep Cover
(1992)
Russell Stevens Sr.
Someone Else's Child
(1994)
Judge Roullard
The Inkwell
(1994)
Spencer Phillips
Subterfuge
(1996)
Stallworth Hubbs
Rebound: The Legend of Earl 'The Goat' Manigault
(1996)
Coach Powell
Buffalo Soldiers
(1997)
Sgt. Joshua 'Joyu' Judges Ruth
How Stella Got Her Groove Back
(1998)
Dr. Shakespeare
Light It Up
(1999)
Principal Allan Armstrong
Men of Honor
(2000)
Chief Floyd
Freedom Song
(2000)
T-Bone Lanier
Fire & Ice
(2001)
Robert Aimes Sr.
Air Rage
(2001)
Ted Bigelow
The Visit
(2001)
Parole Board Member Reingold
The Seat Filler
(2004)
Derrick's Dad
Sahara
(2005)
Dr. Frank Hopper
Kings of the Evening
(2008)
Clarence Brown
Murder 101: The Locked Room Mystery
(2008)
Sheriff Bob Monroe
Preaching To The Pastor
(2009)
Bishop Hightower
Takers
(2010)
Chief Detective Duncan
Burlesque
(2010)
Harold Saint
Super 8
(2011)
Dr. Woodward
The Obama Effect
(2012)
Slim Sugar
The Pastor's Secret
(2012)
John Dies at the End
(2013)
Detective Lawrence 'Morgan Freeman' Appleton
Act Like You Love Me
(2013)
David Lofton
August 28: A Day in the Life of a People
(2017)
Lorraine Hansberry: Sighted Eyes / Feeling Heart
(2017)
Self
The Killing Floor
(2017)
Self
Bumblebee
(2018)
General Whalen
Solace
(2018)
Clay (Pastor Davis)
Justine
(2019)
Papa Don
Sextuplets
(2019)
Leland
Windows on the World
(2019)
Lou
Ma Rainey's Black Bottom: A Legacy Brought to Screen
(2020)
Self - Presenter
Ma Rainey's Black Bottom
(2020)
Toledo
The Way Back
(2020)
Doc
Chadwick Boseman: Portrait of an Artist
(2021)
Self
Is That Black Enough for You?!?
(2022)
Self
The Devil You Know
(2022)
Lloyd Cowans
The Legend of Glynn Turman
(2022)
G.T.
Outlaw Johnny Black
(2023)
Bullseye Black
Rustin
(2023)
A. Philip Randolph
80 for Brady
(2023)
Mickey
Horizon: An American Saga - Chapter 1
(2024)
Horizon: An American Saga - Chapter 2
(2024)
A Hero's Journey: The Making of Percy Jackson and the Olympians
(2024)
Self - Chiron
Production
Writing