Lawrence Hilton-Jacobs
Acting • Born 1953-09-04
Biography
Lawrence Hilton-Jacobs is an American actor and singer. He has appeared in a number of films and television programs, including Claudine (1974), Cooley High (1975), Roots (1977), Welcome Back, Kotter (1975), Bangers and Mash (1983), and The Jacksons: An American Dream (1992). Lawrence's name, at least as shown in the credits of Welcome Back Kotter, was Lawrence-Hilton Jacobs. Lawrence was born in New York City, New York, United States, the fifth child of nine to West Indian parents Hilton Jacobs (deceased 2009) and Clothilda Jacobs (deceased c. 2000). He attended Wilkes University for a short time before his acting career took off. 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. Hilton-Jacobs starred in a few commercials over the years, including an early 1970s commercial for The United Negro College Fund.
Filmography
87 credits
Tuesday Never Comes
Movie • 1992
Druilet
L.A. Vice
Movie • 1989
Jon Chance
Escape from Death Block 13
Movie • 2021
Agent Langley
Sublime
Movie • 2007
Mandingo
Angels of the City
Movie • 1989
Detective Jon Chance
Cooley High
Movie • 1975
Richard "Cochise" Morris
Burning Sky
Movie • 2020
narration
Tidal Wave: No Escape
Movie • 1997
Marlan Clark
Directors on Directing
Movie • 2009
Self
Claudine
Movie • 1974
Charles
Sky Captain
Movie • 1985
The Perfect Mate
Movie • 2020
Rev. Adams
Quiet Fire
Movie • 1991
Jesse Palmer
Paramedics
Movie • 1988
Blade Runner
L.A. Heat
Movie • 1989
Jon Chance
Airplane vs Volcano
Movie • 2014
Jim Kirkland
For the Love of It
Movie • 1980
Al Leon
Nocturnal Agony
Movie • 2014
Theodore
The Comedy Company
Movie • 1978
Russell Dodd
Youngblood
Movie • 1978
Rommel
Southlander: Diary of a Desperate Musician
Movie • 2001
Motherchild
30 Miles
Movie • 2005
Anthony
Death Wish
Movie • 1974
Mugger in Park #2 (uncredited)
The Christmas Gift
Movie • 2015
Wesley Hardin Johnson Sr.
Playin' for Love
Movie • 2015
Coach Preston Reid
31
Movie • 2016
Panda Thomas
Chance
Movie • 1990
Jon Chance
The Annihilators
Movie • 1981
Garrett Floyd
Family Portrait
Movie • 2023
Benjamin
Indecent Behavior
Movie • 1993
Lou Parsons
Killer Drag Queens on Dope
Movie • 2003
Mr. Fly
Kill Crazy
Movie • 1990
Robin
Firepower
Movie • 1993
Ring Announcer
A Chance in the World
Movie • 2017
Willie Robinson
East L.A. Warriors
Movie • 1989
Chesare
Mr. Right Now!
Movie • 1999
Darnell Greene
Hollywont
Movie • 2016
Shooting Heroin
Movie • 2020
Edward
On The Boulevard
Movie • 1984
The Gambler
Movie • 1974
Street Basketball Boy (uncredited)
Mercy for Angels
Movie • 2015
Chief
Tamales and Gumbo
Movie • 2015
Mr. Walker
The Therapy Sessions
Movie
Dead Man Rising
Movie • 2017
Warden Dallas
The Contract
Movie • 2024
Frank Mann
The Devil Ain't Pius
Movie • 2024
Pius Montgomery
War Dawgz
Movie • 2025
Lawrence Slate
Breakdown: 1975
Movie • 2025
Self
ABC's 50th Anniversary Celebration
Movie • 2003
Self
Remembering Roots
Movie • 2002
Self
Welcome Back, Kotter
TV • 1975
Freddie Washington
Martin
TV • 1992
Kevin Jones
Static Shock
TV • 2000
Driver (voice)
Fame
TV • 1982
Sliders
TV • 1995
Lawrence Hilton-Jacobs / The People's Proponent
L.A. Doctors
TV • 1998
Robert Edwards
The Wayans Bros.
TV • 1995
Richie
The Jamie Foxx Show
TV • 1996
Milton
Girlfriends
TV • 2000
Leonard James
E! True Hollywood Story
TV • 1996
Roseanne
TV • 1988
Baretta
TV • 1975
Hill Street Blues
TV • 1981
Donny & Marie
TV • 1976
Self
Diagnosis: Murder
TV • 1993
Sgt. Baker
Moesha
TV • 1996
Rushion Brooks
Weird Science
TV • 1994
Alien Nation
TV • 1989
Sergeant Dobbs
Gilmore Girls
TV • 2000
Principal Merton
Battle of the Network Stars
TV • 1976
Paris
TV • 1979
Lewis & Clark
TV • 1981
The Captain and Tennille
TV • 1976
Self - Guest
Let's Stay Together
TV • 2011
Renegade
TV • 1992
Chuck
TV • 2007
President of Zamibia
The Mike Douglas Show
TV • 1961
Self - Guest
Charlie Grace
TV • 1995
Detective Gossett
The Proud Family: Louder and Prouder
TV • 2022
Chuck (voice)
Roots
TV • 1977
Noah
A House Divided
TV • 2019
Cameran Sanders
That's So Raven
TV • 2003
Mr. Carter
Ellen
TV • 1994
Lawrence Hilton-Jacobs
The Jacksons: An American Dream
TV • 1992
Joseph Jackson
Hill Street Blues
TV • 1981
Crumley
Simon & Simon
TV • 1981
Gordon Tate
Sherri
TV • 2022
Self - Guest