--- name: "Larry Wilmore" canonical: "https://film.one/person/larry-wilmore" fi1m_id: "larry-wilmore" imdb_id: "nm0932831" tmdb_id: 154091 wikidata_id: "Q6491295" roles: ["Writer"] born: "30 October 1961" reviewed_on_fi1m: 4 average_as: "writer" average_over: 1 updated: "2026-09-24T20:28:16.746753+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." --- # Larry Wilmore ## Identity Larry Wilmore - **Canonical:** https://film.one/person/larry-wilmore - **Type:** Person - **Fi1m ID:** larry-wilmore - **IMDb ID:** nm0932831 - **TMDB ID:** 154091 - **Wikidata ID:** Q6491295 - **Same entity:** https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Larry_Wilmore, https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q6491295, https://www.imdb.com/name/nm0932831/, https://www.themoviedb.org/person/154091 Writer. Born 30 October 1961 in Los Angeles, California, USA. ## Details - **Work:** Writer - **Born:** 30 October 1961, Los Angeles, California, USA - **Active:** 2005–present - **Also known as:** Elister L. Wilmore, Larry Willmore - **Titles on Fi1m:** 4: 3 acting, 1 writing - **Primetime Emmy Awards:** 1 Emmy (1 won · 1 nominated) - **Fi1m score by decade:** 2000s 77 (1), 2010s 64 (2), 2020s 55 (1) - **Elsewhere:** https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Larry_Wilmore, https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q6491295, https://www.imdb.com/name/nm0932831/, https://www.themoviedb.org/person/154091 ## Streaming the US now - **HBO Max:** [*Insecure*](https://film.one/tv/insecure.md) (81) - **Peacock:** [*The Office*](https://film.one/tv/the-office-2005.md) (77) For United States; add `?region=XX` for another country. ## Fi1m on Larry Wilmore > Larry Wilmore builds comedies that watch people behave rather than push them through plots, then hands them over to someone else's name. *The Bernie Mac Show* and *Insecure* are the proof, and the second is the one we rate highly. *Insecure* opens on two friends in their late twenties in Los Angeles and spends most of its energy on how they talk: to each other, to the men around them, and to the people at work who mean well and get it wrong. That is Larry Wilmore's habit, and it is older than Issa Rae's show by two decades. He writes comedies in which what people do in a room matters more than where the story is going, an approach he traces to French New Wave films and to reality television, which is not a pairing you hear from many sitcom writers. He started as a stand-up and an actor in the 1980s and moved to writing in the 1990s, on *The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air* among others. Then came the shows with his name on them. *The PJs* (1999), made with Eddie Murphy, was a prime-time animation. *The Bernie Mac Show* (2001) was the one that changed things: shot single-camera, built around behaviour rather than set-ups, and run on a principle he put to his star plainly. "I always said, Bernie, this is just the script. If you wanna change this, then do it." The network was less keen on the style than the critics were, and he left while the show was still doing well. He was a writer and consulting producer on *The Office* from 2005 to 2007 and appeared on screen as Mr Brown; our review of that show does not single him out, and a writers' room is a room. He then spent the better part of a decade in front of the camera, as the Senior Black Correspondent on *The Daily Show* from 2006 to 2014 and hosting *The Nightly Show* in 2015 and 2016, delivering the material with the understatement it needed. He was also an executive producer on *black-ish*. *Insecure* (2016), co-created with Rae, is where the method pays off best and it is the work of his we rate most highly. Our review found it sharp, warm and exact about how people talk, and thought the office scenes broader than the rest; that is the one place the old sitcom reflex shows through. What got us was the turn. Across forty-four episodes and five seasons the show became something closer to a drama with jokes, and by the later seasons we minded what happened to these two women far more than a half-hour comedy usually manages, because the writers had spent years letting them simply talk without steering them anywhere. He has said he wanted Black comedies to be considered smart and not only funny, and the shows he started have mostly been remembered under someone else's name, Mac's or Rae's or Murphy's. That is partly the cost of telling your star the script is only the script. If you want to see what Wilmore does, watch *Insecure*, and watch the scenes between the two friends rather than the ones at work. ## Biography Larry Wilmore (born 30 October 1961) is an American actor, comedian, writer and producer from Los Angeles. He began his television career as a writer on series including *In Living Color* and *The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air*. Wilmore created *The Bernie Mac Show* (2001–2006), for which he won an Emmy for writing the pilot. From 2005 to 2007 he was a consulting producer and writer on *The Office*, appearing in the series as Mr. Brown. He later served as a correspondent on *The Daily Show* (2006–2014) and hosted *The Nightly Show with Larry Wilmore* (2015–2016). He is co-creator of the series *Insecure* (2016–2021). *Sources: en.wikipedia.org, imdb.com.* ## On Fi1m (4) ### Performed in (3) - *Life, Larry and the Pursuit of Unhappiness: An Almost History of America* (2026), Fi1m 55, as Barney — [page](https://film.one/tv/life-larry-and-the-pursuit-of-unhappiness-an-almost-history-of-america.md) - *The Laundromat* (2019), Fi1m 48, as Jeff — [page](https://film.one/film/the-laundromat.md) - *The Office* (2005), Fi1m 77, as Mr. Brown — [page](https://film.one/tv/the-office-2005.md) ### Wrote (1) — the average rests on these - *Insecure* (2016), Fi1m 81, Writer, Creator — [page](https://film.one/tv/insecure.md) ## Complete filmography (40) Every credit, newest first. Titles without a page can be requested for review on the HTML page. - *Life, Larry and the Pursuit of Unhappiness: An Almost History of America* (2026), series, as Barney — Fi1m 55, [page](https://film.one/tv/life-larry-and-the-pursuit-of-unhappiness-an-almost-history-of-america.md) - *Jerry & Marge Go Large* (2022), as Steve - *Reasonable Doubt* (2022), series, Executive Producer - *Ghosts* (2021), series, as Walter - *Amend: The Fight for America* (2021), series, Executive Producer - *Upload* (2020), series, as Mr. Whitbridge, Kamyar Whitbridge - *The Laundromat* (2019), as Jeff — Fi1m 48, [page](https://film.one/film/the-laundromat.md) - *A Black Lady Sketch Show* (2019), series, as Clarence - *grown-ish* (2018), series, Creator - *The Mayor* (2017), series, as Vern - *Insecure* (2016), series, Writer, Creator — Fi1m 81, [page](https://film.one/tv/insecure.md) - *Difficult People* (2015), series, as Larry Wilmore - *Penn Zero: Part-Time Hero* (2014), series, as Larry (voice) - *black-ish* (2014), series, Writer - *Playing House* (2014), series, as Dr. Ullman - *Date and Switch* (2014), as Mr. Vernon - *Instant Mom* (2013), series, as Franklin Turner - *Malibu Country* (2012), series, as Mr. Clark - *Vamps* (2012), as Professor Quincy - *Love Bites* (2011), series, as The Boss · Writer - *Happy Endings* (2011), series, as Mr. Forristal - *Traffic Light* (2011), series, as Harvey - *Dinner for Schmucks* (2010), as Williams - *Accidentally on Purpose* (2009), series, as Dr. Roland - *I Love You, Man* (2009), as Justice Of The Peace - *Help Me Help You* (2006), series, Actor - *How I Met Your Mother* (2005), series, as Dr. Greer — Fi1m 74, [page](https://film.one/tv/how-i-met-your-mother.md) - *The Office* (2005), series, as Mr. Brown · Writer, Consulting Producer — Fi1m 77, [page](https://film.one/tv/the-office-2005.md) - *Whoopi* (2003), series, Writer, Producer - *The Bernie Mac Show* (2001), series, Writer, Executive Producer, Creator - *The PJs* (1999), series, Executive Producer, Writer, Creator - *Teen Angel* (1997), series, Writer, Consulting Producer - *The Jamie Foxx Show* (1996), series, Writer - *The Show* (1996), series, Writer, Director - *Sister, Sister* (1994), series, as Bus Driver · Writer - *The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air* (1990), series, Writer, Co-Producer - *The Ghost Writer* (1990), as The Paramedic - *Sledge Hammer!* (1986), series, as Terrorist #3 - *The Facts of Life* (1979), series, Actor - *One Attempt Remaining*, Actor ## Gallery - ![Larry Wilmore](https://film.one/media/person/101018/gallery-012563cb199f.jpg) Larry Wilmore — Clparish, CC BY-SA 3.0, via Wikimedia Commons (https://thumb.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/6/67/Larry_Wilmore_St_Marys_College_MD.jpg/1280px-Larry_Wilmore_St_Marys_College_MD.jpg?utm_source=commons.wikimedia.org&utm_campaign=imageinfo&utm_content=thumbnail) - ![James Carville, Van Jones, S. E. Cupp, Michael Murphy and Larry Wilmore speaking at the 2016 Politicon at the Pasadena Convention Center in Pasadena, California](https://film.one/media/person/101018/gallery-7edf3f458e3a.jpg) James Carville, Van Jones, S. E. Cupp, Michael Murphy and Larry Wilmore speaking at the 2016 Politicon at the Pasadena Convention Center in Pasadena, California — Gage Skidmore from Surprise, AZ, United States of America, CC BY-SA 2.0, via Wikimedia Commons (https://thumb.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/f/f3/James_Carville%2C_Van_Jones%2C_S._E._Cupp%2C_Michael_Murphy_%26_Larry_Wilmore_%2827363431464%29.jpg/1280px-James_Carville%2C_Van_Jones%2C_S._E._Cupp%2C_Michael_Murphy_%26_Larry_Wilmore_%2827363431464%29.jpg?utm_source=commons.wikimedia.org&utm_campaign=imageinfo&utm_content=thumbnail) - ![James Carville, Van Jones, S. E. Cupp, Michael Murphy and Larry Wilmore speaking at the 2016 Politicon at the Pasadena Convention Center in Pasadena, California](https://film.one/media/person/101018/gallery-dc4b3edae41f.jpg) James Carville, Van Jones, S. E. Cupp, Michael Murphy and Larry Wilmore speaking at the 2016 Politicon at the Pasadena Convention Center in Pasadena, California — Gage Skidmore from Surprise, AZ, United States of America, CC BY-SA 2.0, via Wikimedia Commons (https://thumb.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/4/42/James_Carville%2C_Van_Jones%2C_S._E._Cupp%2C_Michael_Murphy_%26_Larry_Wilmore_%2827899262301%29.jpg/1280px-James_Carville%2C_Van_Jones%2C_S._E._Cupp%2C_Michael_Murphy_%26_Larry_Wilmore_%2827899262301%29.jpg?utm_source=commons.wikimedia.org&utm_campaign=imageinfo&utm_content=thumbnail) - ![Larry Wilmore speaking at the 2016 Politicon at the Pasadena Convention Center in Pasadena, California. Please attribute to Gage Skidmore if used elsewhere.](https://film.one/media/person/101018/gallery-fdbe34db3033.jpg) Larry Wilmore speaking at the 2016 Politicon at the Pasadena Convention Center in Pasadena, California. Please attribute to Gage Skidmore if used elsewhere. — Gage Skidmore from Surprise, AZ, United States of America, CC BY-SA 2.0, via Wikimedia Commons (https://thumb.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/b/b6/Larry_Wilmore_%2827363541074%29.jpg/1280px-Larry_Wilmore_%2827363541074%29.jpg?utm_source=commons.wikimedia.org&utm_campaign=imageinfo&utm_content=thumbnail) - ![Larry Wilmore speaking at the 2016 Politicon at the Pasadena Convention Center in Pasadena, California. Please attribute to Gage Skidmore if used elsewhere.](https://film.one/media/person/101018/gallery-49c5b56abb4c.jpg) Larry Wilmore speaking at the 2016 Politicon at the Pasadena Convention Center in Pasadena, California. Please attribute to Gage Skidmore if used elsewhere. — Gage Skidmore from Surprise, AZ, United States of America, CC BY-SA 2.0, via Wikimedia Commons (https://thumb.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/3/35/Larry_Wilmore_%2827363543674%29.jpg/1280px-Larry_Wilmore_%2827363543674%29.jpg?utm_source=commons.wikimedia.org&utm_campaign=imageinfo&utm_content=thumbnail) - ![Larry Wilmore speaking at the 2016 Politicon at the Pasadena Convention Center in Pasadena, California. Please attribute to Gage Skidmore if used elsewhere.](https://film.one/media/person/101018/gallery-26e3ebe7f5ee.jpg) Larry Wilmore speaking at the 2016 Politicon at the Pasadena Convention Center in Pasadena, California. Please attribute to Gage Skidmore if used elsewhere. — Gage Skidmore from Surprise, AZ, United States of America, CC BY-SA 2.0, via Wikimedia Commons (https://thumb.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/d/d0/Larry_Wilmore_%2827363547534%29.jpg/1280px-Larry_Wilmore_%2827363547534%29.jpg?utm_source=commons.wikimedia.org&utm_campaign=imageinfo&utm_content=thumbnail) ## Awards ### Primetime Emmy Awards — 1 won, 1 nominated - 2002: Outstanding Writing for a Comedy Series (won), for *The Bernie Mac Show* - 1992: Outstanding Writing for a Variety Series (nominated), for *In Living Color* ### Other awards — 0 won, 2 nominated - Writers Guild of America Award for Television: Comedy Series 2008: Writers Guild of America Award for Television: Comedy Series (nominated), for *The Office* - Writers Guild of America Award for Television: Comedy Series 2006: Writers Guild of America Award for Television: Comedy Series (nominated), for *The Office* *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/larry-wilmore