Laurence Criner

**Biography of Laurence Criner**

Laurence Criner emerged as one of the preeminent Black actors on stage and screen from the 1920s through the early 1950s, captivating audiences in nearly 30 films. His career began with the distinguished acting troupe, The Lafayette Players. In 1926, he made his debut in the silent films "The Flying Ace" and "Black Gold," which were independently produced. The following year, he featured in Oscar Micheaux’s influential film "The Millionaire" and shared the Broadway stage in the popular production "Meek Mose" in 1928.

Criner became a prominent figure in "race films" during the late 1930s and early 1940s, starring in a dozen films produced by Million Dollar Productions, the first Black-owned studio in Hollywood. He shared the screen with future legends such as Lena Horne in "The Duke Is Tops," Nina Mae McKinney in "Gang Smashers," and a young Dorothy Dandridge in "Four Shall Die."

His Hollywood filmography includes notable titles like "Black Moon," "King of the Zombies," and "Mr. Smith Goes Ghost." Criner's final performance was in "The Jackie Robinson Story," where he portrayed the minister who inspires Robinson to break the color barrier in Major League Baseball.

Beyond his cinematic contributions, Laurence Criner served his country during both World War I and World War II. He is celebrated in African American film history for his role in promoting positive portrayals of Black characters, helping to pave the way for future generations in the entertainment industry.