Richard Lawson (born Rickey Lee Lawson on March 7, 1947 in Loma Linda, California, U.S.) is an African-American actor who has starred in movies and on television. He is best known in the science fiction community as Ryan in the 1982 hit movie Poltergeist and in the 1983 mini series V as Dr. Ben Taylor.
His first feature film was the classic 1971 movie Dirty Harry. His other well known roles include the 1979 movie The Main Event, and the 1984 drama Streets of Fire, where he played Officer Ed Price. Richard's most recent movie was Guess Who, which opened in 2005.
Lawson's first on-going starring role in a television series was in Australian drama Hotel Story in 1977. That series was cancelled before the first episode had gone to air. He later starred in the 1980s series Chicago Story; he took the on-going role of Nick Kimball in night time soap opera Dynasty from 1986-1987, appeared in The Days and Nights of Molly Dodd as Det. Nathaniel Hawthorne from 1989-1991, and was in the day time soap opera All My Children as Lucas Barnes from 1992-1994.
Richard has made many guest appearances on TV, including Kojak, Get Christie Love!, Sister, Sister, The District, The Division and All of Us.
He is the father of actress Bianca Lawson.
Richard did a tour of duty in the Vietnam War.
Is an acting teacher and director at The Beverly Hills Playhouse with Milton Katselas.
Survived a plane crash in March 1992, Queens, New York City, New York, USA.
Father of actress Bianca Lawson
After serving a year's duty in Vietnam, he went to Chabot Junior College in Hayward, California and joined the debate team with the intention of pursuing law. His voice was so strong, resonant and authoritative that he decided to become an actor instead.
