Marc Lawrence

Marc Lawrence (born Max Goldsmith; February 17, 1910 – November 28, 2005) was an American character actor who specialized in underworld types. He has also been credited as F. A. Foss, Marc Laurence and Marc C. Lawrence.

Early life

Lawrence was born in New York City, the son of a Polish Jewish mother, Minerva Norma ( née Sugarman), and a Russian Jewish father, Israel Simon Goldsmith. He participated in plays in school, then attended the City College of New York. In 1930, he received a two-year scholarship to the repertory theater operated by Eva Le Gallienne.

Career

In 1930, Lawrence befriended another young actor, John Garfield. The two appeared in a number of plays before Lawrence was given a film contract with Columbia Pictures. Lawrence appeared in films beginning in 1931. Lawrence's film debut came in 1933. Garfield followed, starting his film career in 1938.

Lawrence's pock-marked complexion, brooding appearance and New York street-guy accent made him a natural for heavies, and he played scores of gangsters and mob bosses over the next six decades. Later, Lawrence found himself under scrutiny for his political leanings. When called before the House Un-American Activities Committee, he admitted he had once been a member of the Communist Party. He named Sterling Hayden, Lionel Stander, Anne Revere, Larry Parks, Karen Morley and Jeff Corey as Communists. He was blacklisted and departed for Europe, where he continued to make films.

Following the demise of the blacklist, he returned to America and resumed his position as a familiar and talented purveyor of gangland types. He played gangsters in two James Bond movies: 1971's '' Diamonds Are Forever'' opposite Sean Connery, and 1974's '' The Man with the Golden Gun'' opposite Roger Moore. He also portrayed a henchman opposite Laurence Olivier in '' Marathon Man'' (1976) and a stereotypical Miami mob boss alongside Jerry Reed and Dom DeLuise in the comedy '' Hot Stuff'' (1979).

Lawrence played the Volnoth, a member of the Gatherers, in the 1989 '' Star Trek: The Next Generation'' episode "The Vengeance Factor". He subsequently returned to the ''Star Trek'' franchise when he played Mr. Zeemo in the ''Star Trek: Deep Space Nine'' episode "Badda-Bing Badda-Bang", which aired in February 1999.

His final film role was in '' Looney Tunes Back in Action'' (2003), appearing as an Acme Corporation vice president.

Lawrence directed '' Nightmare in the Sun'' (1965) and '' Pigs'' (1973).

Books

In 1991 Lawrence's autobiography was published entitled ''Long Time No See: Confessions of a Hollywood Gangster'' (). Lawrence was also the subject of a novel, ''The Beautiful and the Profane'' () (published in 2002).

Personal life and death

For much of his adult life Lawrence lived in Palm Springs, California (1971–2005). Lawrence married Odessa-born novelist and screenwriter Fanya Foss. She died on December 12, 1995. They had two children, Michael and Toni.

Lawrence died of heart failure on November 28, 2005, at the age of 95. He was buried at Westwood Memorial Park in Westwood, California.

Selected filmography

* '' If I Had a Million'' (1932) as Henchman of Mike the Gangster (uncredited)
* '' Gambling Ship'' (1933) as Hood (uncredited)
* '' Her First Mate'' (1933) as Orderly with Message (uncredited)
* '' Lady for a Day'' (1933) as Nick - Mug at Reception (uncredited)
* '' White Woman'' (1933) as Connors
* ''Straight Is the Way'' (1934) as Monk's Henchmen (uncredited)
* '' Death on the Diamond'' (1934) as Bookies' Doorman (uncredited)
* '' Million Dollar Baby'' (1934)
* '' G Men'' (1935) as Gangster Killed at Lodge (uncredited)
* '' Go Into Your Dance'' (1935) as Eddie Logan (uncredited)
* ''Strangers All'' (1935) as Communist Meeting Chairman (uncredited)
* ''Men of the Hour'' (1935) as Joe
* '' The Arizonian'' (1935) as Henchman Who Pistol-Whipped Clay (uncredited)
* '' Don't Bet on Blondes'' (1935) as Gangster #6 (uncredited)
* ''After the Dance'' (1935) as Tom - a Prisoner (uncredited)
* '' Little Big Shot'' (1935) as Doré's Henchman
* ''Dr. Socrates'' (1935) as Lefty Croger - a Gangster (uncredited)
* '' Three Kids and a Queen'' (1935) as Gangster (uncredited)
* '' Road Gang'' (1936) as Pete (Friendly Convict)
* ''Don't Gamble with Love'' (1936) as Gambler (uncredited)
* '' Love on a Bet'' (1936) as County Fair Barker (uncredited)
* '' Robin Hood of El Dorado'' (1936) as Manuel (uncredited)
* '' Desire'' (1936) as Charles the Valet (uncredited)
* ''Under Two Flags'' (1936) as Grivon (uncredited)
* ''Counterfeit'' (1936) as Dint Coleman
* ''Trapped by Television'' (1936) as Frank Griffin (uncredited)
* '' The Final Hour'' (1936) as Mike Magellon
* '' Blackmailer'' (1936) as Pinky (uncredited)
* ''The Cowboy Star'' (1936) as Johnny Sampson
* '' Charlie Chan at the Opera'' (1936) as Undetermined Minor Role (uncredited)
* '' Night Waitress'' (1936) as Dorn - a Henchman
* ''Racketeers in Exile'' (1937) as 'Blackie' White
* '' Motor Madness'' (1937) as Gus Slater
* '' I Promise to Pay'' (1937) as Henchman Whitehat
* '' Criminals of the Air'' (1937) as 'Blast' Reardon
* '' San Quentin'' (1937) as Venetti
* '' What Price Vengeance?'' (1937) as Pete Brower
* '' It Can't Last Forever'' (1937) as Hoodlum (uncredited)
* '' A Dangerous Adventure'' (1937) as Calkins
* '' Charlie Chan on Broadway'' (1937) as Thomas Mitchell
* '' Life Begins with Love'' (1937) as Pearson (uncredited)
* '' Counsel for Crime'' (1937) as Edwin Mitchell
* '' Murder in Greenwich Village'' (1937) as Rusty Morgan
* ''The Shadow'' (1937) as Kid Crow
* '' Penitentiary'' (1938) as Jack Hawkins (uncredited)
* '' Who Killed Gail Preston?'' (1938) as Frank Daniels
* '' Squadron of Honor'' (1938) as Lawlor
* '' Convicted'' (1938) as Milton Militis
* '' I Am the Law'' (1938) as Eddie Girard
* '' The Spider's Web'' (1938, Serial) as Steve Harmon
* '' Adventure in Sahara'' (1938) as Poule
* ''While New York Sleeps'' (1938) as Happy Nelson
* '' Charlie Chan in Honolulu'' (1938) as Johnny McCoy
* '' Homicide Bureau'' (1939) as Chuck Brown
* ''There's That Woman Again'' (1939) as Stevens (uncredited)
* '' The Lone Wolf Spy Hunt'' (1939) as Henchman in Trenchcoat (uncredited)
* '' Sergeant Madden'' (1939) as 'Piggy' Ceders
* ''Romance of the Redwoods'' (1939) as Joe
* '' Code of the Streets'' (1939) as Henchman Halstead, a.k.a. Denver Collins
* '' Blind Alley'' (1939) as Buck
* ''Ex-Champ'' (1939) as Bill Crosley, Olsen's Manager
* '' S.O.S. Tidal Wave'' (1939) as Melvin Sutter
* ''Dust Be My Destiny'' (1939) as Venetti
* '' Beware Spooks!'' (1939) as Slick Eastman
* '' The Housekeeper's Daughter'' (1939) as Floyd
* '' Invisible Stripes'' (1939) as Lefty
* '' Johnny Apollo'' (1940) as Bates
* '' Love, Honor and Oh-Baby!'' (1940) as Tony Luffo
* '' The Man Who Talked Too Much'' (1940) as Lefty Kyler
* ''The Golden Fleecing'' (1940) as 'Happy' Dugan
* ''Brigham Young'' (1940) as Prosecutor
* ''The Great Profile'' (1940) as Tony
* ''Charlie Chan at the Wax Museum'' (1940) as Steve McBirney
* '' Tall, Dark and Handsome'' (1941) as Louie
* '' The Monster and the Girl'' (1941) as Sleeper
* '' The Man Who Lost Himself'' (1941) as Frank DeSoto
* '' Blossoms in the Dust'' (1941) as La Verne
* '' The Shepherd of the Hills'' (1941) as Pete Matthews
* '' Lady Scarface'' (1941) as Lefty Landers
* '' Hold That Ghost'' (1941) as Charlie Smith
* '' A Dangerous Game'' (1941) as Joe
* '' Sundown'' (1941) as Abdi Hammud
* '' Public Enemies'' (1941) as Mike
* '' Nazi Agent'' (1942) as Joe Aiello
* '' Yokel Boy'' (1942) as Henchman Trigger
* '' This Gun for Hire'' (1942) as Tommy
* ''Call of the Canyon'' (1942) as Horace Dunston
* '' Eyes of the Underworld'' (1942) as Gordon Finch
* '''Neath Brooklyn Bridge'' (1942) as McGaffey
* '' Calaboose'' (1943) as Sluggsy Baker
* '' Submarine Alert'' (1943) as Vincent Bela
* '' The Ox-Bow Incident'' (1943) as Jeff Farnley
* ''Hit the Ice'' (1943) as Phil
* ''Tampico (1944 film), Tampico'' (1944) as Valdez
* ''Rainbow Island (1944 film), Rainbow Island'' (1944) as Alcoa
* ''The Princess and the Pirate'' (1944) as Pedro
* ''Dillinger (1945 film), Dillinger'' (1945) as Doc Madison
* ''Flame of Barbary Coast'' (1945) as Joe Disko
* ''Don't Fence Me In (film), Don't Fence Me In'' (1945) as Clifford Anson
* ''Club Havana'' (1945) as Joe Reed
* ''Life with Blondie'' (1945) as Pete, Blackie's Henchman
* ''Blonde Alibi'' (1946) as Joe DeRita
* ''The Virginian (1946 film), The Virginian'' (1946) as Pete
* ''Inside Job (1946 film), Inside Job'' (1946) as Donovan
* ''Cloak and Dagger (1946 film), Cloak and Dagger'' (1946) as Luigi
* ''Yankee Fakir'' (1947) as Duke
* ''Joe Palooka in the Knockout'' (1947) as John Mitchell
* ''Unconquered (1947 film), Unconquered'' (1947) as Sioto - Medicine Man
* ''Captain from Castile'' (1947) as Corio
* ''I Walk Alone'' (1948) as Nick Palestro
* ''Key Largo (film), Key Largo'' (1948) as Ziggy
* ''Out of the Storm (1948 film), Out of the Storm'' (1948) as Red Stubbins
* ''Jigsaw (1949 film), Jigsaw'' (1949) as Angelo Agostini
* ''Calamity Jane and Sam Bass'' (1949) as Harry Dean
* ''Tough Assignment'' (1949) as Vince
* ''Black Hand (1950 film), Black Hand'' (1950) as Caesar Xavier Serpi
* ''The Asphalt Jungle'' (1950) as Cobby
* ''The Desert Hawk (1950 film), The Desert Hawk'' (1950) as Samad
* ''Abbott and Costello in the Foreign Legion'' (1950) as Frankie the Loan Shark
* ''Hurricane Island'' (1951) as Angus Macready (uncredited)
* ''My Favorite Spy (1951 film), My Favorite Spy'' (1951) as Ben Ali
* ''Torment of the Past'' (1952) as Andrea Rossi
* ''La Tratta delle bianche'' (1952) as Manchedi
* ''I tre corsari'' (1952) as Van Gould
* ''Fratelli d'Italia (1952 film), Fratelli d'Italia'' (1952) as Il capitano March - un ufficiale austriaco
* ''Jolanda, the Daughter of the Black Corsair'' (1953) as Van Gould
* ''Noi peccatori'' (1953) as Camillo
* ''Legione straniera'' (1953) as Serg. Schwartz
* ''Funniest Show on Earth'' (1953) as Il proprietario del circo
* ''Vacation with a Gangster'' (1954) as Jack Mariotti
* ''Tragic Ballad (film), Tragic Ballad'' (1954) as Felipe Alvaro
* ''New Moon (1955 film), New Moon'' (1955) as Pierre
* ''Suor Maria'' (1955) as Don Mario, proprietario del night club
* ''La catena dell'odio'' (1955) as Braschi
* ''Helen of Troy (film), Helen of Troy'' (1956) as Diomedes
* ''Kill Her Gently'' (1957) as William Connors
* ''Johnny Cool'' (1963) as Johnny Colini
* ''Due mafiosi contro Al Capone'' (1966) as Joe Minasi
* ''Johnny Tiger'' (1966) as William Billie
* ''Savage Pampas (1966 film), Savage Pampas'' (1966) as Sgt. Barril
* ''7 monaci d'oro'' (1966) as Lucky Marciano, Capo da banda
* ''Du mou dans la gâchette'' (1967) as Magnum
* ''Custer of the West'' (1967) as The gold miner
* ''Kong Island'' (1968) as Albert Muller
* ''Krakatoa, East of Java'' (1969) as Jacobs
* ''The Kremlin Letter'' (1970) as The Priest
* ''Dream No Evil'' (1970) as Undertaker
* '' Diamonds Are Forever'' (1971) as Slumber Inc. Attendant
* ''In Pursuit of Treasure'' (1972)
* ''Daddy's Deadly Darling'' (1972) as Zambrini
* ''Frasier, the Sensuous Lion'' (1973) as Chiarelli
* '' The Man with the Golden Gun'' (1974) as Rodney
* '' Marathon Man'' (1976) as Erhard
* ''A Piece of the Action (film), A Piece of the Action'' (1977) as Louie
* ''Foul Play (1978 film), Foul Play'' (1978) as Stiltskin
* ''Goin' Coconuts'' (1978) as Webster
* '' Hot Stuff'' (1979) as Carmine
* ''Swap Meet (film), Swap Meet'' (1979) as Mr. Booth
* ''Super Fuzz'' (1980) as Torpedo
* ''Cataclysm'' (1980) as Abraham Weiss / Dieter
* ''Cat and Dog'' (1982) as Don Salvatore Licuti
* ''Night Train to Terror'' (1985) as Mr. Weiss / Dieter (segment "The Case of Claire Hansen")
* ''The Big Easy (film), The Big Easy'' (1986) as Vinnie 'The Cannon' DiMotti
* ''Blood Red (film), Blood Red'' (1989) as Michael Fazio
* ''Ruby (1992 film), Ruby'' (1992) as Santos Alicante
* ''Newsies'' (1992) as Kloppman
* ''Four Rooms'' (1995) as Sam the Bellhop
* ''From Dusk till Dawn'' (1996) as Old Timer Motel Owner
* ''Gotti (1996 film), Gotti'' (1996) as Carlo Gambino
* ''End of Days (film), End of Days'' (1999) as Old Man
* ''The Shipping News (film), The Shipping News'' (2001) as Cousin Nolan
* ''Looney Tunes: Back in Action'' (2003) as Acme VP, Stating the Obvious (final film role)

References

Further reading

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External links

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{{DEFAULTSORT:Lawrence, Marc
1910 births
2005 deaths
20th-century American male actors
21st-century American male actors
American Ashkenazi Jews
Male actors from New York City
Male actors from Palm Springs, California
Members of the Communist Party USA
American male film actors
American male television actors
Jewish American male actors
Burials at Westwood Village Memorial Park Cemetery
Hollywood blacklist
American people of Polish-Jewish descent
American people of Russian-Jewish descent