Laurence Fishburne: Biography, Net Worth & Matrix Exit

Laurence Fishburne has been a familiar face on screen since he was a teenager in Apocalypse Now. Born on July 30, 1961, in Augusta, Georgia, he made his film debut at age 14 in Francis Ford Coppola’s war epic.

Full Name: Laurence John Fishburne III ·
Net Worth: $30 million ·
Known For: Morpheus in The Matrix

Eight key facts about Laurence Fishburne, one pattern: verified data points that define his public and private life.

What happened between Laurence Fishburne and Gina Torres?

How did Laurence Fishburne and Gina Torres meet?

The couple met in the early 2000s and married on September 22, 2002 (IMDb). Both were established actors — Torres known for Firefly and Suits. They kept their relationship largely private, and their daughter Delilah was born in 2007 (Entertainment Tonight).

When did they divorce?

Fishburne filed for divorce on November 2, 2017, seeking joint legal and physical custody of Delilah, who was 10 at the time (Entertainment Tonight). The divorce was finalized on May 11, 2018 (People). The separation had been kept private for about a year before it was publicly confirmed in September 2017, according to Wikipedia.

The implication: the couple’s silence leaves their story incomplete, a fact that fans have had to accept.

What nationality is Laurence Fishburne?

Where was Laurence Fishburne born?

He was born in Augusta, Georgia, on July 30, 1961 (IMDb). His mother, Hattie Bell Crawford, raised him in Brooklyn, New York, after moving there when he was young (Biography.com).

Is he American?

Yes. Fishburne is an American citizen by birth. His nationality is listed as American across all major biographical sources (Biography.com).

The implication: Fishburne’s Southern roots and Brooklyn upbringing both shaped his identity, but his citizenship is straightforward — he is American through and through.

Why didn’t Laurence Fishburne come back for Matrix 4?

Was Laurence Fishburne replaced?

Fishburne originated the role of Morpheus in The Matrix (1999) and returned for its sequels (IMDb). However, for The Matrix Resurrections (2021), he was not invited back. In an August 2020 interview with People, Fishburne said, “I was not invited.” He later added, “I offered my services to the fourth Matrix, and they didn’t respond well to that,” as reported by HOLA USA.

What did the director say?

Director Lana Wachowski chose not to include the character of Morpheus as played by Fishburne, instead introducing a younger version portrayed by Yahya Abdul-Mateen II. The creative decision was reportedly driven by the film’s theme of legacy and the passage of time, though no official explanation was given.

The pattern: the studio’s decision remains unexplained, leaving a gap in the narrative of the franchise.

Did Laurence Fishburne used to be called Larry Fishburne?

Why did he charge his name?

Early in his career, Fishburne used the stage name “Larry Fishburne” (IMDb). At age18, he decided to revert to his given name, Laurence, because he felt it commanded more respect as he transitioned into adult roles (Biography.com).

When did he start using Laurence?

He began using Laurence professionally around 1979, the year of Apocalypse Now. The credit for that film reads “Larry Fishburne” in some sources, but he soon made the switch permanent. Today, “Larry” is only used as a nickname by close friends.

The pattern: Fishburne’s name change was a deliberate career move — shedding a youthful moniker for a more mature identity.

Why doesn’t Laurence Fishburne know his dad?

Who is his father?

Fishburne was raised by his mother, Hattie, and stepfather Laurence John Fishburne Jr., whom he believed to be his biological father. In 2025, a DNA test on PBS’s Finding Your Roots revealed that his biological father was actually William Seigel Bohannan (Wikipedia). The TODAY show reported that the test led Fishburne to a photograph of Bohannan, who had died when Fishburne was young.

How did he find out?

Fishburne discovered in his 40s that the man who raised him was not his biological father (Biography.com). The revelation came through the genealogical research conducted for the show.

What this means: For decades, Fishburne lived without knowing his paternal lineage. The discovery at age63 provided a missing piece of his identity, though his relationship with his biological father was never established.

For fans of Laurence Fishburne, the story is one of a towering career built on talent and resilience, alongside personal chapters that remain partly unwritten. The actor’s decision to speak openly about his Matrx exclusion and his father’s identity shows a willingness to engage with the public — but also a respect for his own privacy. The implication for anyone following his journey: the man behind Morpheus is still writing his own story, and the next chapter will likely be as compelling as the last.

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