“Back in 1978, when I was still in high school, I went to see a Broadway show, 'Paul Robeson,' starring James Earl Jones. It was all about Robeson's journey as a human being, an artist, a champion of civil rights. Had I not seen the play, I might not have known who Robeson was. I was certainly never taught about him in school.”

American actor

Laurence Fishburne is an American actor known for stage and screen roles that often cast him as forceful, authoritative figures. He first drew wider attention in Apocalypse Now (1979) and later earned further recognition for his supporting role in Boyz n the Hood (1991). He is especially associated with Morpheus in The Matrix trilogy (1999 to 2003) and the Bowery King in the John Wick film series, which began in 2017. His work has often centered on characters with a commanding presence.