Lawrence Gilliard Jr. Biography

Fast Facts

• Won the 2013 Sand Diego Black Film Festival Prize for Best Lead Actor
• Attended the Juilliard School, where he studied classical music
• Decided to pursue acting by studying at the American Academy of Dramatic Arts, the Acting Studio and the Stella Adler Conservatory
• Quote: "[on "The Walking Dead"] "Killing zombies--that's what you do as a kid! Now I get to do it as a grownup․""
• His theater credits include "Zooman and the Sign," "Police Boys" and "Life During Wartime․"
• Is best known for his portrayal of the character D'Angelo Barksdale on "The Wire․"
• Almost lost out on a part in "The Walking Dead" because casting directors for the show did not want more than one former cast member of "The Wire" on the show, as actor Chad Coleman had already been hired
• Outside of acting, he has a passion for salsa dancing
• Performed in a production of the stage play "Topdog/Underdog․"
• Is a former classically trained clarinet player, but quit playing the instrument in order to focus on acting