Glynn Turman

Glynn Turman has been a visible presence in television, film and theater for his entire life. Turman first came to the stage at the age of 12 in Lorraine Hansberrys landmark original Broadway production of A Raisin in the Sun. Performing the role of Travis Younger, he worked alongside such legendary actors as Sidney Poitier and Lloyd Richards. A critics favorite, Turman has been honored with the NAACPs Lifetime Achievement Award for theater, three NAACP Image Awards, a Dramalogue Award and a Los Angeles Critics Award nomination.

Turman has proven himself as a both a captivating character actor and successful director and producer. He starred on stage in Slow Dance on the Killing Ground, Sons of Lincoln, The Wine Sellers and Eyes of the American. He has had numerous successful leading roles on television, but he is perhaps best remembered as the staunch Colonel Taylor on the hit series A Different World. He also appeared in many films, including the cult classic Cooley High, Men of Honor and How Stella Got Her Groove Back. Turman's direction of Deadwood Dick at the Inner City Cultural Center earned him his second NAACP Image Award, and he received further acclaim for his PBS production of Money Rider. Turman is the recent recipient of the 2003 Man of Valor Award, given by the Los Angeles NAACP Youth Council.

Now Turman brings his autobiographical solo show Movin Man to audiences, providing a top-down entertaining glimpse into his life and work and an exuberant personal reflection of what it took to survive as an African American entertainer in Hollywood. Starting with his childhood in Harlem, he weaves one captivating anecdote after another, including a look into his other side-that of a genuine rodeo champion and cowboy. The Los Angeles Times praised Movin Man, saying Turman could captivate an audience until the cows came home to be lassoed.

After appearing in "A Raisin in the Sun", Turman pursued his dreams of acting and studied drama at the famed High School of Performing Arts in New York. Upon graduation, he appeared in productions at The Actors Studio, The Tyrone Guthrie Repertory Theatre and Lincoln Center. The Los Angeles theater audience was introduced to Turman when Vinnette Carroll cast him in Slow Dance on the Killing Ground. This proved to be the beginning of a long love affair with the critics. His performance in The Wine Sellers earned him a Los Angeles Critics Award nomination and a Dramalogue Award. For Eyes of the American, he received his first NAACP Image Award.

Turman has directed numerous television productions, including several seasons of The Parenthood, A Different World, Hanging with Mr. Cooper and The Wayans Bros. Show. He also played leading roles on Centennial, Attica, Buffalo Soldiers and The Minstrel Man, for which he won his third NAACP Image Award. Other film credits include The River Niger, Five on the Black Hand Side, Gremlins, J.D.'s Revenge, The Serpent Egg, The Inkwell and The Visit. Turman also appeared in TNT?s hit movie Freedom Song starring Danny Glover and has a semi-recurring role on Showtime's hit series Resurrection Blvd.

With the help and support his wife, Jo-An, Turman established Camp Gid D Up, a free western style summer camp for inner-city and at-risk children. The Turmans have been honored with several awards for their camp and community services.

On top of his film accomplishments and community involvement, Turman, also a cowboy and rodeo star, recently won the California's Regional Team Roping Finals and placed in the top five in the National Rodeo Finals in Oklahoma City.

Turman is currently writing his autobiography, Movin' Man, which serves as an inspiration for his acclaimed solo show.