Richard Lawson

Richard Lawson is an acclaimed actor, director, and empowerment leader with a legendary career spanning over six decades. A true “dream weaver,” he has touched and transformed the lives of thousands, from celebrated Hollywood artists to aspiring young minds.

With an expansive body of work, Richard's career began on the stage, where he earned Drama Critics Awards for his powerful performances in “Ma Rainey's Black Bottom” and “Streamers.” His notable theater credits also include the American premiere of “Hapgood” and roles in two different productions of “Othello.” On screen, he has collaborated with cinematic giants like Steven Spielberg in “Poltergeist” and appeared in iconic films such as “How Stella Got Her Groove Back,” “Wag the Dog,” and “For Colored Girls.”

He has also been a staple on television, from his starring role on “All My Children” (for which he was nominated for an Outstanding Actor Emmy) to memorable turns in “The Days and Nights of Molly Dodd,” “MacGyver,” and “Parenthood.” He can currently be seen in the hit Tyler Perry/Netflix #1 series “Beauty in Black,” as well as “Divorce in the Black,” “The Ms. Pat Show,” and “The Black Hamptons.”

More than a legendary actor and director, Richard is a powerful advocate for young people. As co-founder and co-artistic director of the WACO (Where Art Can Occur) Theater Center, he built the Angels and Warriors mentorship program, which provided an artistic home for 100 young people ages 12 and 13, guiding them into becoming successful directors, writers, poets, filmmakers, and musical artists. He continues this work through the RL Studios Foundation.

For 30 years, Richard served as the protege to legendary acting teacher Milton Katselas, shaping the careers of hundreds of well-known actors. Carrying on this legacy, he founded Richard Lawson Studios in 2005 — more than a place to learn acting, it is a space for artists to find their voice, empower themselves, and tap into their full potential. He has also directed acclaimed stage productions of “Death of a Salesman,” “Driving Miss Daisy,” “Othello,” and “No Place to Be Somebody,” and recently directed the film “Black Terror,” written by Richard Wesley.

Along with his partners Denee Busby and Mark “Spark” Welch, Richard created Hyperlens Studio, a next-generation media, production, and distribution company built to meet the future of storytelling on every screen, in every format, and across every culture. Hyperlens helps artists master not only their craft but also ownership, monetization, distribution, and cultural impact — developing premium vertical films, scripted series, documentaries, educational platforms, live experiences, and global storytelling initiatives.

Richard Lawson's journey has never been defined by one title. He is an actor, teacher, director, mentor, producer, entrepreneur, veteran, survivor, and visionary. Having served as a combat medic in Vietnam, survived a plane crash, and navigated the changing tides of Hollywood for more than six decades, he brings a rare depth of lived experience to everything he does — rooted in the belief that there are no losses, only lessons, and that dreams do not have expiration dates.