Laurence Fishburne is 'Thurgood' on Broadway Spring 2008

Hollywood star and Tony Award-winner, Laurence Fishburne returns to Broadway next year to star in George Stevens Jr.'s new one-man play Thurgood, beginning a limited engagement at the Booth Theatre (222 West 45th St) beginning previews April 12; officially opening on Sunday, April 30 with performances through July 20, 2008.

"Thurgood is the remarkable and triumphant story of Thurgood Marshall, who rose from a childhood in the backstreets of Baltimore to the Supreme Court of the United States. Along the way, Mr. Marshall overcame many adversities but through them all, remained focused and positive to maintain the great country he wanted to serve. And did. Thurgood brings to the stage the words, the wit, the tenacity and the wisdom of one of American's greatest heroes," explain press notes.

Perhaps most recognized for his stirring role in the box-office hit movie trilogy – The Matrix – actor, producer and director, Laurence Fishburne also recently starred in Lionsgate's Akeelah & the Bee, which he produced through his Cinema Gypsy productions. He later co-starred opposite Tom Cruise and Phillip Seymour Hoffman in Paramount's summer film Mission Impossible 3. Later in 2006, Fishburne joined the impressive cast of Bobby, which was nominated for a SAG award for best ensemble cast.

Fishburne stage credits include Without Walls by Alfred Uhry, directed by Christopher Ashley, at the Center Theatre Group's Mark Taper Forum in Los Angeles. For this performance he was awarded Best Actor at the 17th Annual NAACP Theater Award. He then starred opposite Angela Bassett at The Pasadena Playhouse in August Wilson's play Fences, which broke playhouse sales records in its sold-out run.

In 1992, he was awarded a Tony for Best Featured Actor in a Play, a Drama Desk Award, an Outer Critic's Circle Award, and a Theater World Award for his work on Broadway as Sterling Johnson in August Wilson's Two Trains Running.  In 1999 he appeared at the Roundabout Theater on Broadway, playing the lead role of Henry II, in The Lion in Winter.

His rare TV appearance in the '93 premiere episode of Fox TV's "Tribeca" landed Laurence an Emmy.  He was nominated for an Oscar as Best Actor of 1993 for his portrayal of Ike Turner in the film What's Love Got to do With It.  Other film roles include Searching for Bobby Fischer and Boyz in the Hood.

In October of 2000, Laurence made his directorial debut, in addition to starring in and producing Once in the Life, a film released by Lions Gate.  The screenplay, which he wrote, is based on the one-act play Riff Raff, in which Fishburne starred, wrote, and directed in 1994. The play received critical praise and was later brought to New York's Circle Rep Theater.  The initial run, in Los Angeles, was the first production produced under his own banner L.O.A. Productions.

In 1997, Laurence received an Emmy nomination (Outstanding Lead Actor in a Miniseries or Special) and an NAACP Image Award (1998) for his starring role in the HBO drama "Miss Evers' Boys," which he executive produced.

Fishburne will appear in numerous films in 2008 including 21 alongside Kevin Spacey, Days of Wrath opposite Amber Valetta and Wilmer Valderrama, Tortured, Black Water Transit, and Newport 56 about the life of Duke Ellington.

Photo of Laurence Fishburne by George Holz