---
name: "Glynn Turman"
canonical: "https://film.one/person/glynn-turman"
fi1m_id: "glynn-turman"
imdb_id: "nm0877270"
tmdb_id: 114674
wikidata_id: "Q1532531"
roles: ["Actor"]
born: "31 January 1947"
reviewed_on_fi1m: 5
average_fi1m_score: 72
average_as: "actor"
average_over: 5
updated: "2026-09-27T08:35:30.935104+00:00"
licence: "© Fi1m Ltd. Written by AI under a human editor; checked against sources before publication. Quote with attribution and a link to the canonical URL."
---

# Glynn Turman

## Identity

Glynn Turman

- **Canonical:** https://film.one/person/glynn-turman
- **Type:** Person
- **Fi1m ID:** glynn-turman
- **IMDb ID:** nm0877270
- **TMDB ID:** 114674
- **Wikidata ID:** Q1532531
- **Same entity:** https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Glynn_Turman, https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q1532531, https://www.imdb.com/name/nm0877270/, https://www.themoviedb.org/person/114674

Actor. Born 31 January 1947 in New York City, New York, USA.

## Details

- **Work:** Actor
- **Born:** 31 January 1947, New York City, New York, USA
- **Active:** 1984–present
- **Also known as:** 글린 터먼, Glynn Russell Turman, Glynn R. Turman, گلین ترمن
- **Primetime Emmy Awards:** 1 Emmy (1 won)
- **Average Fi1m score:** 72, as actor, over 5 titles
- **Fi1m score by decade:** 1980s 80 (1), 2000s 90 (1), 2020s 63 (3)
- **Fi1m against the critics:** 72 to 68 across 5 titles
- **Score spread:** 2 at 80+, 2 at 60–79, 1 under 60
- **Lead roles:** 0 of 1 acting credits billed first or second
- **Genres:** Drama 4, Crime 2, Comedy 1, Fantasy 1, Horror 1, Music 1
- **Screen time:** 6 hours of reviewed films
- **Box office:** $153m across 1 films with figures
- **Elsewhere:** https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Glynn_Turman, https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q1532531, https://www.imdb.com/name/nm0877270/, https://www.themoviedb.org/person/114674

## Streaming the US now

- **Netflix:** [*Ma Rainey's Black Bottom*](https://film.one/film/ma-raineys-black-bottom.md) (69)

For United States; add `?region=XX` for another country.

## Biography

Glynn Turman is an American actor. Born in New York City on 31 January 1947, he trained at the High School of Performing Arts and made his Broadway debut at the age of 12 as Travis Younger in the original 1959 production of Lorraine Hansberry's *A Raisin in the Sun*.

He is known for his role as Leroy 'Preach' Jackson in the 1975 film *Cooley High*, as Colonel Bradford Taylor in the NBC sitcom *A Different World* (1988–1993), and as Mayor Clarence Royce in the HBO series *The Wire* (2002–2008). Turman played Toledo in the 2020 Netflix film *Ma Rainey's Black Bottom* and Doctor Senator in the fourth season of *Fargo* (2020). He received a Primetime Emmy Award for Outstanding Guest Actor in a Drama Series for his performance in *In Treatment*.

*Sources: en.wikipedia.org, imdb.com.*

## On Fi1m (5)

- *Paradise* (2025), Fi1m 73, as Fred Collins — [page](https://film.one/tv/paradise.md)
- *Horizon: An American Saga - Chapter 2* (2024), Fi1m 48, Actor — [page](https://film.one/film/horizon-an-american-saga-chapter-2.md)
- *Ma Rainey's Black Bottom* (2020), Fi1m 69, as Toledo — [page](https://film.one/film/ma-raineys-black-bottom.md)
- *The Wire* (2002), Fi1m 90, as Clarence Royce — [page](https://film.one/tv/the-wire.md)
- *Gremlins* (1984), Fi1m 80, as Roy Hanson — [page](https://film.one/film/gremlins.md)

## Complete filmography (131)

Every credit, newest first. Titles without a page can be requested for review on the HTML page.

- *When They're Gone* (2026), as Calvin “Cece” Carr · Executive Producer
- *STRAW* (2025), as Richard
- *Paradise* (2025), series, as Fred Collins — Fi1m 73, [page](https://film.one/tv/paradise.md)
- *Horizon: An American Saga - Chapter 2* (2024), Actor — Fi1m 48, [page](https://film.one/film/horizon-an-american-saga-chapter-2.md)
- *The Big Cigar* (2024), series, as Walter
- *Percy Jackson and the Olympians* (2023), series, as Mr. Brunner / Chiron, Chiron
- *Rustin* (2023), as A. Philip Randolph
- *Outlaw Johnny Black* (2023), as Bullseye Black
- *80 for Brady* (2023), as Mickey
- *Guillermo del Toro's Cabinet of Curiosities* (2022), series, as Sheriff Nate Craven
- *Women of Theatre, New York* (2022), Executive Producer
- *The Legend of Glynn Turman* (2022), as G.T. · Writer
- *The Devil You Know* (2022), as Lloyd Cowans
- *The Proud Family: Louder and Prouder* (2022), series, as Pa (voice)
- *Women of the Movement* (2022), series, as Mose Wright
- *Ma Rainey's Black Bottom* (2020), as Toledo — Fi1m 69, [page](https://film.one/film/ma-raineys-black-bottom.md)
- *Power Book II: Ghost* (2020), series, as Gabriel
- *The Way Back* (2020), as Doc
- *FBI: Most Wanted* (2020), series, as Terry Daniels
- *Sextuplets* (2019), as Leland
- *Justine* (2019), as Papa Don · Executive Producer
- *The Red Line* (2019), series, as Nathan Gordon
- *Windows on the World* (2019), as Lou
- *Bumblebee* (2018), as General Whalen
- *The Neighborhood* (2018), series, as Otis
- *Solace* (2018), as Clay (Pastor Davis)
- *August 28: A Day in the Life of a People* (2017), Actor
- *Mr. Mercedes* (2017), series, as Judge Bernard Raines
- *American Gods* (2017), series, as Reverend Hutchins
- *Graves* (2016), series, Actor
- *Race* (2016), as Harry E. Davis
- *How to Get Away with Murder* (2014), series, as Nate Lahey Sr.
- *black-ish* (2014), series, as Billy Blade
- *Dakota's Summer* (2014), as Isaac Benson
- *Fargo* (2014), series, as Doctor Senator — Fi1m 82, [page](https://film.one/tv/fargo-2014.md)
- *Act Like You Love Me* (2013), as David Lofton
- *John Dies at the End* (2013), as Detective Lawrence 'Morgan Freeman' Appleton
- *Revolution* (2012), series, as David Kipling
- *The Obama Effect* (2012), as Slim Sugar
- *House of Lies: Fridays at Galweather* (2012), series, Director
- *Alcatraz* (2012), series, as Emmitt Little
- *City Teacher* (2012), as Kevin Sawyer
- *House of Lies* (2012), series, as Jeremiah Kaan
- *The Pastor's Secret* (2012), Actor
- *Suits* (2011), series, as Vic
- *Super 8* (2011), as Dr. Woodward
- *Burlesque* (2010), as Harold Saint
- *The Defenders* (2010), series, as Judge Bob Owens
- *Takers* (2010), as Chief Detective Duncan
- *FlashForward* (2009), series, as Senator Noland
- *NCIS: Los Angeles* (2009), series, as James Pierce
- *Preaching To The Pastor* (2009), as Bishop Hightower
- *In Treatment* (2008), series, as Alex Prince, Sr.
- *Murder 101: The Locked Room Mystery* (2008), as Sheriff Bob Monroe
- *Kings of the Evening* (2008), as Clarence Brown
- *Uncle P* (2007), as Dr. Niles
- *Criminal Minds* (2005), series, as Charles Johnson — Fi1m 60, [page](https://film.one/tv/criminal-minds.md)
- *Sahara* (2005), as Dr. Frank Hopper
- *The Seat Filler* (2004), as Derrick's Dad
- *The Wire* (2002), series, as Clarence Royce — Fi1m 90, [page](https://film.one/tv/the-wire.md)
- *The Bernie Mac Show* (2001), series, as Carl
- *Scrubs* (2001), series, as George
- *Law & Order: Criminal Intent* (2001), series, as Roy Hines
- *Air Rage* (2001), as Ted Bigelow
- *The Visit* (2001), as Parole Board Member Reingold
- *Big Apple* (2001), series, as Ted Olsen
- *Fire & Ice* (2001), as Robert Aimes Sr.
- *Men of Honor* (2000), as Chief Floyd
- *Freedom Song* (2000), as T-Bone Lanier
- *Light It Up* (1999), as Principal Allan Armstrong
- *Law & Order: Special Victims Unit* (1999), series, as Dr. Young
- *How Stella Got Her Groove Back* (1998), as Dr. Shakespeare
- *The Magnificent Seven* (1998), series, as Achilles Thompson/Hector Thompson
- *Buffalo Soldiers* (1997), as Sgt. Joshua 'Joyu' Judges Ruth
- *Rebound: The Legend of Earl 'The Goat' Manigault* (1996), as Coach Powell
- *Millennium* (1996), series, as James Glen
- *Homeboys in Outer Space* (1996), series, Director
- *Subterfuge* (1996), as Stallworth Hubbs
- *The Parent 'Hood* (1995), series, Director
- *The Wayans Bros.* (1995), series, Director
- *Someone Else's Child* (1994), as Judge Roullard
- *Touched by an Angel* (1994), series, as Sheriff Ernie Guthrie
- *ER* (1994), series, as Mr. Holmes — Fi1m 88, [page](https://film.one/tv/er.md)
- *The Inkwell* (1994), as Spencer Phillips
- *Hangin' with Mr. Cooper* (1992), series, Director
- *Deep Cover* (1992), as Russell Stevens Sr.
- *Freddy's Nightmares* (1988), series, as Dr. Redman
- *A Different World* (1987), series, as Colonel Brad Taylor · Director
- *Ask Max* (1986), as Lloyd Lyman
- *Out of Bounds* (1986), as Lieutenant Delgado
- *Matlock* (1986), series, as Dennis Orlando
- *The Twilight Zone* (1985), series, as (segment "Paladin of the Lost Hour")
- *Hail to the Chief* (1985), series, as Secretary of State LaRue Hawkins
- *Charlotte Forten's Mission: Experiment in Freedom* (1985), as Joshua
- *Murder, She Wrote* (1984), series, as Stan Lassiter, Earl Browder, Ben Coleman
- *Secrets of a Married Man* (1984), as Jesse
- *Hot Pursuit* (1984), series, as Mitch Simpson
- *Gremlins* (1984), as Roy Hanson — Fi1m 80, [page](https://film.one/film/gremlins.md)
- *The Grand Baby* (1983), Actor
- *Penitentiary II* (1982), as Charles Johnson
- *T. J. Hooker* (1982), series, as Norman Powell
- *American Playhouse* (1982), series, as Joshua
- *Thornwell* (1981), as James Thornwell
- *Dynasty* (1981), series, Director
- *Attica* (1980), as Raymond Franklin
- *Katie: Portrait of a Centerfold* (1978), as Preston de Cordiva
- *Centennial* (1978), series, as Nate Person
- *The Paper Chase* (1978), series, Actor
- *A Hero Ain't Nothin' But a Sandwich* (1977), as Nigeria
- *The Serpent's Egg* (1977), as Monroe
- *The Richard Pryor Special?* (1977), as Booster Johnson
- *Minstrel Man* (1977), as Harry Brown Jr.
- *The Tapestry* (1976), Actor
- *The Tony Randall Show* (1976), series, Actor
- *J.D.'s Revenge* (1976), as Isaac / 'Ike'
- *The River Niger* (1976), as Jeff Williams
- *Cooley High* (1975), as Leroy "Preach" Jackson
- *Carter's Army* (1975), as Pvt. George Brightman
- *The Blue Knight* (1975), as Edwin Beall
- *Ceremonies in Dark Old Men* (1975), as Theo
- *The Nine Lives of Fritz the Cat* (1974), as (voice)
- *Together Brothers* (1974), as Dr. Johnson
- *Thomasine & Bushrod* (1974), as Jomo J. Anderson
- *Five on the Black Hand Side* (1973), as Gideon
- *AWOL* (1972), as Mohammed G.
- *Honky* (1971), as Sailor at Bus Station
- *In Search of America* (1971), as Bodhi
- *Room 222* (1969), series, Actor
- *Hawaii Five-O* (1969), series, as Harley Dartson
- *CBS Playhouse* (1966), series, as Jackson
- *You Look Familiar: Vernée Watson*, Executive Producer

## Gallery

- ![Glynn Turman](https://film.one/media/person/362426/gallery-fbe34cd55c86.jpg) Glynn Turman — Lisa Fulton, CC BY-SA 3.0, via Wikimedia Commons (https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/6/66/Glynn_Turman_headshot.jpg?utm_source=commons.wikimedia.org&utm_campaign=imageinfo&utm_content=thumbnail_unscaled)
- ![Photo of a scene from the play A Raisin in the Sun. From left-Ruby Dee (Ruth Younger), Claudia McNeil (Lena Younger), Glynn Turman (Travis Younger), Sidney Poit (1959)](https://film.one/media/person/362426/gallery-3efa9ba6302f.jpg) Photo of a scene from the play A Raisin in the Sun. From left-Ruby Dee (Ruth Younger), Claudia McNeil (Lena Younger), Glynn Turman (Travis Younger), Sidney Poit (1959) — Photographer-Friedman-Abeles, New York, Public domain, via Wikimedia Commons (https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/f/fd/A_Raisin_in_the_Sun_1959.JPG?utm_source=commons.wikimedia.org&utm_campaign=imageinfo&utm_content=thumbnail_unscaled)
- ![Actor Glynn Turman (2007)](https://film.one/media/person/362426/gallery-be256555c5d9.jpg) Actor Glynn Turman (2007) — eternalconceptspr, CC BY 2.0, via Wikimedia Commons (https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/e/e2/Glynn_Turman.jpg?utm_source=commons.wikimedia.org&utm_campaign=imageinfo&utm_content=thumbnail_unscaled)
- ![Glynn Turman](https://film.one/media/person/362426/gallery-b54620dc2f53.jpg) Glynn Turman — Image via TMDB
- ![Glynn Turman](https://film.one/media/person/362426/gallery-3ac7b476e0dd.jpg) Glynn Turman — Image via TMDB

## Awards

### Primetime Emmy Awards — 1 won

- 2008: Outstanding Guest Actor in a Drama Series (won), for *In Treatment*

*From Wikidata, which records wins more completely than nominations.*

---
© Fi1m Ltd. Written by AI under a human editor; checked against sources before publication. Quote with attribution and a link to the canonical URL. Canonical: https://film.one/person/glynn-turman