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
Sahara
(2005)
Dr. Frank Hopper
Super 8
(2011)
Dr. Woodward
Deep Cover
(1992)
Russell Stevens Sr.
Burlesque
(2010)
Harold Saint
Rustin
(2023)
A. Philip Randolph
Men of Honor
(2000)
Chief Floyd
Sextuplets
(2019)
Leland
80 for Brady
(2023)
Mickey
Horizon: An American Saga - Chapter 1
(2024)
The Way Back
(2020)
Doc
How Stella Got Her Groove Back
(1998)
Dr. Shakespeare
Ma Rainey's Black Bottom
(2020)
Toledo
A Hero's Journey: The Making of Percy Jackson and the Olympians
(2024)
Self - Chiron
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
Thomasine & Bushrod
(1974)
Jomo J. Anderson
Together Brothers
(1974)
Dr. Johnson
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 River Niger
(1976)
Jeff Williams
The Tapestry
(1976)
A Hero Ain't Nothin' But a Sandwich
(1977)
Nigeria
Minstrel Man
(1977)
Harry Brown Jr.
The Serpent's Egg
(1977)
Monroe
The Richard Pryor Special?
(1977)
Booster Johnson
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
Secrets of a Married Man
(1984)
Jesse
Gremlins
(1984)
Roy Hanson
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.
The Inkwell
(1994)
Spencer Phillips
Someone Else's Child
(1994)
Judge Roullard
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.
The Visit
(2001)
Parole Board Member Reingold
Air Rage
(2001)
Ted Bigelow
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
Burlesque
(2010)
Harold Saint
Takers
(2010)
Chief Detective Duncan
Super 8
(2011)
Dr. Woodward
The Pastor's Secret
(2012)
The Obama Effect
(2012)
Slim Sugar
John Dies at the End
(2013)
Detective Lawrence 'Morgan Freeman' Appleton
Act Like You Love Me
(2013)
David Lofton
Lorraine Hansberry: Sighted Eyes / Feeling Heart
(2017)
Self
August 28: A Day in the Life of a People
(2017)
The Killing Floor
(2017)
Self
Bumblebee
(2018)
General Whalen
Solace
(2018)
Clay (Pastor Davis)
Windows on the World
(2019)
Lou
Sextuplets
(2019)
Leland
Justine
(2019)
Papa Don
Ma Rainey's Black Bottom
(2020)
Toledo
The Way Back
(2020)
Doc
Ma Rainey's Black Bottom: A Legacy Brought to Screen
(2020)
Self - Presenter
Chadwick Boseman: Portrait of an Artist
(2021)
Self
The Devil You Know
(2022)
Lloyd Cowans
Is That Black Enough for You?!?
(2022)
Self
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 2
(2024)
A Hero's Journey: The Making of Percy Jackson and the Olympians
(2024)
Self - Chiron
Horizon: An American Saga - Chapter 1
(2024)
Production
Writing