Lawrence Hilton-Jacobs (born September 4, 1953 in New York City, New York, United States) is an American actor. He has appeared in a number of films and television programs, including Death Wish (1974), Cooley High (1975), Roots (1977), Welcome Back, Kotter (1975), ""Bangers and Mash (1983), and The Jacksons: An American Dream (1992).
Lawrence was born in New York City on September 4, 1953, the fifth child of nine to West Indian parents Hilton Jacobs and Clothilda Jacobs. He began his acting career in the summer of 1969 and graduated from the High School of Art and Design in 1971. Afterward, he studied acting with the world famous Negro Ensemble Company and the Al Fann Theatrical Ensemble. In 1975, he won the part of Freddie "Boom Boom" Washington on the ABC hit comedy series, Welcome Back, Kotter.
In 1983, Lawrence won the NAACP Image Award as best actor for his performance as Frankie in Richard Wesley's The Mighty Gents. He later gained praise afor his portrayal as Joseph Jackson in ABC-TV's highly-rated mini-series The Jacksons: An American Dream, he starred on the Fox Network short lived cult science fiction TV series Alien Nation as Sgt. Dobbs, and as Rushion, the headstrong, unapologetic entrepreneur and father of Moesha's boyfriend Q in Moesha.
As an accomplished keyboardist/singer, Hilton-Jacobs has performed with numerous acclaimed musicians, such as Rick James, Johnny Gill, The Temptations, and The Sylvers. He's written/produced themes for TV shows and scores for motion pictures, and has released several solo albums. He also taught acting at The Adam Wade Workshop.
The clay animated series The PJs takes place in a fictional government housing project in Detroit named Hilton-Jacobs as a reference to actor Lawrence Hilton-Jacobs.
Hilton-Jacobs starred in a few commercials over the years, including an early 1970's commercial for The United Negro College Fund.
Reportedly dated LaToya Jackson for a time.
