Nook NotesPick a film
Glynn Turman

Actor

Glynn Turman

Born January 31, 1947 in New York City, New York, USA71 films

Glynn Russell Turman, born on January 31, 1947, in New York City, is a revered American stage, television, and film actor as well as a writer, whose career spans decades. He gained early recognition for his role as Leroy "Preach" Jackson in the 1975 film "Cooley High." Turman's talent shone on Broadway, earning a Tony Award for "The Great White Hope." He's renowned for TV work in "The Wire," math professor and retired Army colonel Bradford Taylor on the NBC sitcom "A Different World," fictional Baltimore mayor Clarence Royce on the HBO drama series "The Wire" and "House of Lies." His filmography includes impactful roles in "Gremlins" and "Ma Rainey's Black Bottom." With a captivating presence, Turman continues to enthrall audiences, showcasing remarkable versatility and depth in his performances.

Start here

The best way into Glynn Turman's work
Men of Honor posterFirst watchMen of Honor20007.5as Chief FloydAgainst formidable odds -- and an old-school diving instructor embittered by the U.S. Navy's new, less prejudicial policies -- Carl Brashear sets his sights on becoming the Navy's first…View film

Essential films

Ranked by acclaim and reach

Filmography

71 films as actor
  1. 2026When They're GoneCalvin “Cece” Carr
  2. 2025STRAWRichard
  3. 2024Horizon: An American Saga - Chapter 2
  4. 2023RustinA. Philip Randolph
  5. 2023Outlaw Johnny BlackBullseye Black
  6. 202380 for BradyMickey
  7. 2022The Devil You KnowLloyd Cowans
  8. 2020Ma Rainey's Black BottomToledo
  9. 2020The Way BackDoc
  10. 2019SextupletsLeland
  11. 2019JustinePapa Don
  12. 2019Windows on the WorldLou
  13. 2018BumblebeeGeneral Whalen
  14. 2018SolaceClay (Pastor Davis)
  15. 2016RaceHarry E. Davis
  16. 2014Dakota's SummerIsaac Benson
  17. 2013Act Like You Love MeDavid Lofton
  18. 2013John Dies at the EndDetective Lawrence 'Morgan Freeman' Appleton
  19. 2012The Obama EffectSlim Sugar
  20. 2012City TeacherKevin Sawyer
  21. 2012The Pastor's Secret
  22. 2011Super 8Dr. Woodward
  23. 2010BurlesqueHarold Saint
  24. 2010TakersChief Detective Duncan
  25. 2009Preaching To The PastorBishop Hightower
  26. 2008Murder 101: The Locked Room MysterySheriff Bob Monroe
  27. 2008Kings of the EveningClarence Brown
  28. 2007Uncle PDr. Niles
  29. 2005SaharaDr. Frank Hopper
  30. 2004The Seat FillerDerrick's Dad
  31. 2001Air RageTed Bigelow
  32. 2001The VisitParole Board Member Reingold
  33. 2001Fire & IceRobert Aimes Sr.
  34. 2000Men of HonorChief Floyd
  35. 2000Freedom SongT-Bone Lanier
  36. 1999Light It UpPrincipal Allan Armstrong
  37. 1998How Stella Got Her Groove BackDr. Shakespeare
  38. 1997Buffalo SoldiersSgt. Joshua 'Joyu' Judges Ruth
  39. 1996Rebound: The Legend of Earl 'The Goat' ManigaultCoach Powell
  40. 1996SubterfugeStallworth Hubbs
  41. 1994Someone Else's ChildJudge Roullard
  42. 1994The InkwellSpencer Phillips
  43. 1992Deep CoverRussell Stevens Sr.
  44. 1986Ask MaxLloyd Lyman
  45. 1986Out of BoundsLieutenant Delgado
  46. 1985Charlotte Forten's Mission: Experiment in FreedomJoshua
  47. 1984Secrets of a Married ManJesse
  48. 1984GremlinsRoy Hanson
  49. 1983The Grand Baby
  50. 1982Penitentiary IICharles Johnson
  51. 1981ThornwellJames Thornwell
  52. 1980AtticaRaymond Franklin
  53. 1978Katie: Portrait of a CenterfoldPreston de Cordiva
  54. 1977A Hero Ain't Nothin' But a SandwichNigeria
  55. 1977The Serpent's EggMonroe
  56. 1977The Richard Pryor Special?Booster Johnson
  57. 1977Minstrel ManHarry Brown Jr.
  58. 1976The Tapestry
  59. 1976J.D.'s RevengeIsaac / 'Ike'
  60. 1976The River NigerJeff Williams
  61. 1975Cooley HighLeroy "Preach" Jackson
  62. 1975Carter's ArmyPvt. George Brightman
  63. 1975The Blue KnightEdwin Beall
  64. 1975Ceremonies in Dark Old MenTheo
  65. 1974The Nine Lives of Fritz the Cat(voice)
  66. 1974Together BrothersDr. Johnson
  67. 1974Thomasine & BushrodJomo J. Anderson
  68. 1973Five on the Black Hand SideGideon
  69. 1972AWOLMohammed G.
  70. 1971HonkySailor at Bus Station
  71. 1971In Search of AmericaBodhi