Laurence Fishburne: A Look Back at a Storied Career and His New Role in 'The Amateur'

Laurence Fishburne's career began remarkably early; he was just 14 when filming Francis Ford Coppola's "Apocalypse Now" (1979), an experience he credits with setting him on an "artistic life" path. This marked the start of a journey filled with diverse and challenging roles.

He demonstrated early versatility, taking jobs like a role in "Death Wish II" (1982) out of necessity ("I needed a job... My wife had just had our first baby... I had bought a house and had a mortgage") and embracing the experimental nature of "Pee-wee's Playhouse" (1986-90) as Cowboy Curtis, a role that surprisingly connected him with future collaborator John Singleton.

Singleton, then a production assistant, later directed Fishburne in the landmark film "Boyz N the Hood" (1991). Fishburne, playing the guiding father figure Furious Styles, contributed to a film he calls a "historic cinematic achievement" for its authentic portrayal of life in South Los Angeles. This authenticity, alongside roles in Spike Lee's "School Daze" (1988) and the lead in "Deep Cover" (1992), solidified his status and showcased nuanced Black experiences on screen.

The late 90s brought arguably his most globally recognized role: Morpheus in "The Matrix" (1999). Fishburne acknowledges its profound cultural impact, noting how concepts like the "red pill/blue pill" permeate the public consciousness. The film, he feels, advanced action filmmaking and cemented the idea of multi-world existence in cinema.

His collaboration with Keanu Reeves extended to the "John Wick" franchise, a role Fishburne actively sought ("Who do I need to talk to — or bribe — to be a part of this?"). Beyond blockbusters, he earned an Oscar nomination for portraying Ike Turner in "What's Love Got to Do With It" (1993) and a Tony nomination for his one-man show "Thurgood" (2008), portraying the legendary Supreme Court Justice. His recent work includes executive producing and starring in the hit sitcom "black-ish" (2014-22), extensive theatre work including writing his own plays, and upcoming projects like "The Amateur," "The Astronaut," and "The Witcher."

In "The Amateur," director James Hawes praises Fishburne's "enigmatic nature" and ability to project "simultaneous danger and charm." Co-star Rami Malek, whom Fishburne admired since "The Pacific," plays a CIA analyst pushed to extremes, with Fishburne guiding him. Malek describes his own character as relatable – "underestimated or overlooked... the guy you least expect to go on and use his ingenuity and resourcefulness to be quite the badass." Fishburne's presence, even in limited scenes, lends significant weight to the narrative.

Laurence Fishburne has embodied countless memorable characters. Which Laurence Fishburne role is your favorite, and why? Let us know your thoughts in the comments!

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