His performance heightened Palmer’s as she delved into multiple emotions and feelings throughout the film.Īs mentioned before, the coming-of-age drama saw him reteam with his What’s Love Got to Do It co-star Angela Bassett. Through mentorship, he was subtle and quiet but authoritarian and a moral compass to the young spelling savant. Eventually, Laurence Fishburne came around to become a much-needed father figure and champion for the character’s goal. His resistance to help Palmer made him an obstacle in Akeelah’s journey. Larabee and Palmer’s Akeelah’s relationship started off rough as they experienced a push-and-pull dynamic. But his true purpose was to serve as a strong supporting player for the film’s lead Keke Palmer. Much like his recurring co-star Angela Basset, the Matrix vet was a big name for the indie drama. Joshua Larabee in Akeelah and the Bee fell right in line with his acting resume. So, taking on renowned English professor and mentor Dr. (Image credit: Lionsgate) Akeelah And The Bee (2006)īeing a pseudo-father figure to young rising stars has become a pattern in the Ice Road star’s decades-long career. Fishburne’s performance stabilized the film’s multiple storylines and heavy themes. Unfortunately, that didn’t translate into an Oscar nomination for Best Supporting Actor. While the young cast was filled with the likes of Epps, Ice Cube and Regina King, Laurence Fishburne managed to capture audiences’ attention in every scene.įor his performance in Higher Learning, Laurence Fishburne scored an NAACP Image Award for Best Supporting Actor. Phipps and Williams often clashed over their ideologies but eventually evolve as the two characters came to a mutual understanding. The combative dynamic was exemplified in the scenes shared with Omar Epps’ Malik Williams. Playing the foil culminated in the Oscar nominee becoming his students’ moral compass. Leaning into that archetype made him a consistent reality check for his young pupils. Fishburne allowed himself to be the foil as the young cast experienced college life. This dynamic was emphasized by Phipps’ conservative ideology counteracting Columbus University’s liberal environment. Laurence Fishburne channeled the tough love of Boyz N the Hood into this role as he became a contrarian voice to his idealistic students. Playing political science professor Maurice Phipps in Higher Learning placed him on that trajectory. Over the years, audiences have witnessed Fishburne transition to more authoritarian roles in films. (Image credit: Columbia Pictures) Higher Learning (1995) Even though he didn’t get any awards recognition, Furious Styles is still one of Laurence Fishburne’s most impactful and well-known performances. Unfortunately, serving as the film’s moral center didn’t translate into a Best Supporting Actor nom for Fishburne. The coming-of-age film scored two Oscar nominations, including Best Director for John Singleton. Each relationship operated differently – Styles was flirtatious with Ferrell’s Brenda Baker and straightforward yet loving with Bassett’s Reva Devereaux. Laurence Fishburne was a great scene partner to Angela Bassett and Tyra Ferrell. Those moments were indicative of his dynamics with the women in his life. He was able to check Ice Cube and Morris Chesnutt at certain times when their mother couldn’t. Their chemistry and dynamic read like a real father-son relationship.įishburne wasn’t just Tre’s father but served as the father figure for his South Central neighborhood. to facilitate his transition to manhood by counteracting the “absentee/bad Black father” narrative often seen in films. In being a real father, Laurence Fishburne raised his son with tough love but cushioned it with wisdom and understanding. The Black-ish star’s turn as single father Jason “Furious” Styles in the cult classic Boyz N the Hood showcased that transition.ĭespite only being a few years older, the Oscar nominee was able to play Cuba Gooding Jr.’s father with ease and authority. Unlike many Hollywood stars, Laurence Fishburne was allowed to mature through his roles. (Image credit: Columbia Pictures) Boyz N the Hood (1991)
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