Marc Lawrence
Marc Lawrence (1910-2005) was an American character actor known for his work in film and television. Born on February 17, 1910, in New York City, Lawrence began his acting career in the 1930s and went on to have a prolific career spanning several decades.
Lawrence often portrayed tough and menacing characters, typically in crime films and film noir. He was known for his distinctive voice, sharp features, and intense performances. Some of his notable film appearances include "Key Largo" (1948), "The Asphalt Jungle" (1950), "The Big Heat" (1953), and "Dillinger" (1973).
Throughout his career, Lawrence worked with renowned directors such as John Huston, Howard Hawks, and Fritz Lang. He also made numerous appearances on television, including shows like "The Twilight Zone," "Perry Mason," and "Bonanza."
In addition to his acting work, Lawrence also wrote two autobiographical books: "Long Time No See: Confessions of a Hollywood Gangster" (1991) and "Smuggler's Blues: The Saga of a Marijuana Importer" (2004).
Marc Lawrence passed away on November 28, 2005, at the age of 95, leaving behind a legacy as a respected character actor in the industry.
Lawrence often portrayed tough and menacing characters, typically in crime films and film noir. He was known for his distinctive voice, sharp features, and intense performances. Some of his notable film appearances include "Key Largo" (1948), "The Asphalt Jungle" (1950), "The Big Heat" (1953), and "Dillinger" (1973).
Throughout his career, Lawrence worked with renowned directors such as John Huston, Howard Hawks, and Fritz Lang. He also made numerous appearances on television, including shows like "The Twilight Zone," "Perry Mason," and "Bonanza."
In addition to his acting work, Lawrence also wrote two autobiographical books: "Long Time No See: Confessions of a Hollywood Gangster" (1991) and "Smuggler's Blues: The Saga of a Marijuana Importer" (2004).
Marc Lawrence passed away on November 28, 2005, at the age of 95, leaving behind a legacy as a respected character actor in the industry.
Quotes:
[regarding his short-term membership in the Communist party in the 1930s] "I went to about five or six meetings. When I got bored at home I'd go to a meeting."
"I had this effect on people. I remember walking along the street and seeing Eddie Cantor's name up on one of the theaters, so I stopped by the ticket seller and asked him, 'When does Eddie go on?' He looked at me and went pale and said, 'You-you-you-you're the guy in that picture up the street!' He was petrified of me. So I went and watched that movie again and thought to myself 'Christ Almighty, what an ugly [expletive]!' Holes in my face, black eyes that pierce right through you. Here I thought I looked like Ronald Colman and the ticket seller was right."
"I was typed as the arch gangster. It's this face -- what could I do about it?"
"The time I met Lucky Luciano in Italy, I swear to God, I thought he was imitating me."
- Marc Lawrence
Trivia:
Columbia Pictures chief Harry Cohn once told Lawrence that Johnny Roselli, a notorious gangster, had said that he was the best hood in films. Lawrence himself was often told by Italian hoods in his native New York that he played them better than anyone else; ironically, Lawrence was Jewish.
He was a friend of legendary mob boss Lucky Luciano. He would visit Luciano in Italy where the mobster had been deported following his prison term for running a prostitution ring. Whenever Lawrence would see the mobster, Lucky would always ask for him to talk in an "exaggerated" New York accent, which Lawrence would do. The reason was that Luciano missed New York and meeting New Yorkers and hearing their accents would always make him feel better.
During the House Un-American Activities Committee hearings, Lawrence testified that Lionel Stander told him that joining the Communist Party would make him more attractive to women. During his testimony, Stander denounced Lawrence as a psychopath and presented a letter that gave Lawrence's mental history and revealed that he had been hospitalized after a mental breakdown just prior to his HUAC testimony.
He was a friend of legendary mob boss Lucky Luciano. He would visit Luciano in Italy where the mobster had been deported following his prison term for running a prostitution ring. Whenever Lawrence would see the mobster, Lucky would always ask for him to talk in an "exaggerated" New York accent, which Lawrence would do. The reason was that Luciano missed New York and meeting New Yorkers and hearing their accents would always make him feel better.
During the House Un-American Activities Committee hearings, Lawrence testified that Lionel Stander told him that joining the Communist Party would make him more attractive to women. During his testimony, Stander denounced Lawrence as a psychopath and presented a letter that gave Lawrence's mental history and revealed that he had been hospitalized after a mental breakdown just prior to his HUAC testimony.
