
Glynn Turman
Biography
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

TV
Law & Order: Special Victims Unit
Dr. Young
1999

TV
Late Night with Seth Meyers
Self
2014

TV
Criminal Minds
Charles Johnson
2005

TV
The Wire
Clarence Royce
2002

TV
Suits
Vic
2011

TV
Fargo
Doctor Senator
2014

TV
NCIS: Los Angeles
James Pierce
2009

TV
In Treatment
Alex Prince, Sr.
2008

TV
Scrubs
George
2001

TV
Law & Order: Criminal Intent
Roy Hines
2001

TV
ER
Mr. Holmes
1994

TV
Paradise
Fred Collins
2025

TV
Murder, She Wrote
Stan Lassiter
1984

TV
Murder, She Wrote
Earl Browder
1984

TV
Murder, She Wrote
Ben Coleman
1984

TV
FBI: Most Wanted
Terry Daniels
2020

TV
How to Get Away with Murder
Nathaniel Lahey
2014

TV
A Different World
Colonel Brad Taylor
1987

TV
black-ish
Billy Blade
2014

TV
The Twilight Zone
(segment "Paladin of the Lost Hour")
1985
Filmography
2025FilmSTRAWas Richard2025TVParadiseas Fred Collins2024FilmHorizon: An American Saga - Chapter 22024TVThe Big Cigaras Walter2024FilmA Hero's Journey: The Making of Percy Jackson and the Olympiansas Self - Chiron2023TVPercy Jackson and the Olympiansas Mr. Brunner / Chiron2023FilmRustinas A. Philip Randolph2023FilmOutlaw Johnny Blackas Bullseye Black2023Film80 for Bradyas Mickey2022TVGuillermo del Toro's Cabinet of Curiositiesas Sheriff Nate Craven2022FilmIs That Black Enough for You?!?as Self2022FilmThe Legend of Glynn Turmanas G.T.2022FilmThe Devil You Knowas Lloyd Cowans2022TVThe Proud Family: Louder and Prouderas Pa (voice)2022TVWomen of the Movementas Mose Wright2021FilmChadwick Boseman: Portrait of an Artistas Self2020FilmMa Rainey's Black Bottom: A Legacy Brought to Screenas Self - Presenter2020FilmMa Rainey's Black Bottomas Toledo2020TVPower Book II: Ghostas Gabriel2020FilmThe Way Backas Doc2020TVFBI: Most Wantedas Terry Daniels2019FilmSextupletsas Leland2019FilmJustineas Papa Don2019FilmWindows on the Worldas Lou2019TVThe Red Lineas Nathan Gordon2018FilmBumblebeeas General Whalen2018TVThe Neighborhoodas Otis2018FilmSolaceas Clay (Pastor Davis)2017FilmThe Killing Flooras Self2017FilmLorraine Hansberry: Sighted Eyes / Feeling Heartas Self2017FilmAugust 28: A Day in the Life of a People2017TVMr. Mercedesas Judge Bernard Raines2017TVAmerican Godsas Reverend Hutchins2016TVGraves2016FilmRaceas Harry E. Davis2014TVHow to Get Away with Murderas Nathaniel Lahey2014TVblack-ishas Billy Blade2014FilmDakota's Summeras Isaac Benson2014TVFargoas Doctor Senator2014TVLate Night with Seth Meyersas Self2013FilmAct Like You Love Meas David Lofton2013FilmJohn Dies at the Endas Detective Lawrence 'Morgan Freeman' Appleton2012TVRevolutionas David Kipling2012FilmThe Obama Effectas Slim Sugar2012FilmCity Teacheras Kevin Sawyer2012TVAlcatrazas Emmitt Little2012TVHouse of Liesas Jeremiah Kaan2012FilmThe Pastor's Secret2011TVSuitsas Vic2011FilmSuper 8as Dr. Woodward2010FilmBurlesqueas Harold Saint2010TVThe Defendersas Judge Bob Owens2010FilmTakersas Chief Detective Duncan2009TVFlashForwardas Senator Noland2009TVNCIS: Los Angelesas James Pierce2009FilmPreaching To The Pastoras Bishop Hightower2008TVIn Treatmentas Alex Prince, Sr.2008FilmMurder 101: The Locked Room Mysteryas Sheriff Bob Monroe2008FilmKings of the Eveningas Clarence Brown2007FilmUncle Pas Dr. Niles2005TVCriminal Mindsas Charles Johnson2005FilmSaharaas Dr. Frank Hopper2004FilmThe Seat Filleras Derrick's Dad2002TVThe Wireas Clarence Royce2001TVThe Bernie Mac Showas Carl2001TVScrubsas George2001TVLaw & Order: Criminal Intentas Roy Hines2001FilmAir Rageas Ted Bigelow2001FilmThe Visitas Parole Board Member Reingold2001FilmFire & Iceas Robert Aimes Sr.2000FilmMen of Honoras Chief Floyd2000FilmFreedom Songas T-Bone Lanier1999FilmLight It Upas Principal Allan Armstrong1999TVLaw & Order: Special Victims Unitas Dr. Young1998FilmHow Stella Got Her Groove Backas Dr. Shakespeare1998TVThe Magnificent Sevenas Achilles Thompson/Hector Thompson1997FilmBuffalo Soldiersas Sgt. Joshua 'Joyu' Judges Ruth1996FilmRebound: The Legend of Earl 'The Goat' Manigaultas Coach Powell1996TVMillenniumas James Glen1996FilmSubterfugeas Stallworth Hubbs1994FilmSomeone Else's Childas Judge Roullard1994TVTouched by an Angelas Sheriff Ernie Guthrie1994TVERas Mr. Holmes1994FilmThe Inkwellas Spencer Phillips1992FilmDeep Coveras Russell Stevens Sr.1988TVFreddy's Nightmaresas Dr. Redman1987TVA Different Worldas Colonel Brad Taylor1986FilmAsk Maxas Lloyd Lyman1986FilmOut of Boundsas Lieutenant Delgado1986TVMatlockas Dennis Orlando1985TVThe Twilight Zoneas (segment "Paladin of the Lost Hour")1985TVHail to the Chiefas Secretary of State LaRue Hawkins1985FilmCharlotte Forten's Mission: Experiment in Freedomas Joshua1984TVMurder, She Wroteas Stan Lassiter1984FilmSecrets of a Married Manas Jesse1984TVHot Pursuitas Mitch Simpson1984FilmGremlinsas Roy Hanson1983FilmThe Grand Baby1982FilmPenitentiary IIas Charles Johnson1982TVT. J. Hookeras Norman Powell1981FilmThornwellas James Thornwell1980FilmAtticaas Raymond Franklin1978FilmKatie: Portrait of a Centerfoldas Preston de Cordiva1978TVCentennialas Nate Person1978TVThe Paper Chase1977FilmA Hero Ain't Nothin' But a Sandwichas Nigeria1977FilmThe Serpent's Eggas Monroe1977FilmThe Richard Pryor Special?as Booster Johnson1977FilmMinstrel Manas Harry Brown Jr.1976FilmThe Tapestry1976TVThe Tony Randall Show1976FilmJ.D.'s Revengeas Isaac / 'Ike'1976FilmThe River Nigeras Jeff Williams1975FilmCooley Highas Leroy "Preach" Jackson1975FilmCarter's Armyas Pvt. George Brightman1975FilmThe Blue Knightas Edwin Beall1975FilmCeremonies in Dark Old Menas Theo1974FilmThe Nine Lives of Fritz the Cat1974FilmTogether Brothersas Dr. Johnson1974FilmThomasine & Bushrodas Jomo J. Anderson1973FilmFive on the Black Hand Sideas Gideon1972FilmAWOLas Mohammed G.1971FilmHonkyas Sailor at Bus Station1971FilmIn Search of Americaas Bodhi1969TVRoom 222