Before pursuing a career as an actor, Mark Christopher Lawrence was an active debater. Having competed at the national level while in high school, and later winning the Bovero-Tabor Award - awarded to the top junior college speaker in the country - as a student Cerritos Community College, he received a scholarship from the University of Southern California. He went on to represent the university in several national competitions.
During this time, he was also training at the Los Angeles Theater Center; this led him to his very first television role, a guest stint on Hill Street Blues. He pursued stand-up comedy after graduating from the USC, warming up the crowd for acts such as Jerry Seinfeld. His success both as a comedian and actor - he won an NAACP Award for his work in the play The Glass House - led him to his first major role, in Terminator 2: Judgment Day.
While Lawrence has appeared in several dramatic films, he is best known for his work in comedy. Perhaps his best known role was in the satirical film Fear of a Black Hat. He held recurring roles in TV comedies such as The Show and The Mullets, apart from guest roles in My Name is Earl, Seinfeld and Malcolm in the Middle. In 2007, he joined the cast of the NBC spy comedy Chuck, appearing as beleaguered Buy More manager Big Mike Tucker.
2007-2011: Chuck (TV series) - Big Mike
2011: Retired at 35 (TV series) - Carl
2010: Sudden Death! (short) - Jim
2010: Speed-Dating - Dr. Petesmith
2010: Chuck Presents: Buy Hard - The Jeff and Lester Story (TV series) - Big Mike
2010: Silverlake Video: The Movie - Landlord
2010: Uncle Matin's Sword Trick (video short) - Azeem
2009: Halloween II - Deputy Fred King
2008: Chuck Versus the Webisodes (TV mini-series) - Big Mike
2008: The Club (short) - Donovan
2008: Buy More (TV series) - Big Mike
2007: Heroes (TV series) - Mr. Lamont
2006: The Pursuit of Happyness - Wayne
2006: Weeds (TV series) - Mike
2006: My Name Is Earl (TV series) - Jack Knox
2005: Hot Properties (TV series) - John
2005: Ordinary Miracles (TV movie) - Duty Sergeant
2005: Life Is Ruff (TV movie) - Calvin's Dad
2005: The Island - Construction Worker
2005: Fair Game - Wesley
2004: Christmas with the Kranks - Wes Trogden
2004: Center of the Universe (TV series) - Moe
2004: Tiger Cruise (TV movie) - Pop
2004: Garfield - Christopher Mello
2004: Reba (TV series) - Bar Bouncer
2004: Grounded for Life (TV series) - Duane
2004: Crossing Jordan (TV series) - Rob Morton
2003: The Mullets (TV series) - Bill
2003: Lost Treasure - Danny G.
2001: K-PAX - Simms
2001: Emeril (TV series) - Matt
2001: Two Can Play That Game - Lying Man #4
2001: Planet of the Apes - Friend At Leo's Party
2001: Dharma & Greg (TV series) - Arnold
2001: Yes, Dear (TV series) - Tony
2001: Go with the Fro (short)
2000: Malcolm in the Middle (TV series) - Sheriff #1
2000: Touched by an Angel (TV series) - Hank
2000: Retiring Tatiana - E.J.
1999: Shake, Rattle and Roll: An American Love Story (TV movie) - Fats Domino
1999: Molly - Angels' Manager
1998: Malcolm & Eddie (TV series) - Squires
1998: Kelly Kelly (TV series) - Hank
1998: Senseless - Wig Shop Owner
1998: Caught in the Spray (short) - Lil' Ass Gee
1997: Sister, Sister (TV series) - Mr. Kirkpatrick
1997: Sprung - Brotha #3
1997: That Darn Cat - Rollo
1997: Coach (TV series) - Big Dave
1996: 3rd Rock from the Sun (TV series) - Bartender
1996: Men Behaving Badly (TV series)
1996: The Show (TV series) - Chris
1995: Tales from the Hood - Prison guard
1995: Crimson Tide - Rono, Head Cook
1995: The George Wendt Show (TV series) - Fletcher Williams
1992-1994: Seinfeld (TV series) - Boss/Skycap
1994: Murphy Brown (TV series) - Trekker
1993: Martin (TV series) - Security Guard
1993: 12:01 (TV movie) - Jack Spays
1993: Fear of a Black Hat - Tone Def
1993: In Living Color (TV series)
1992: Evening Shade (TV series) - Mr. Powell
1992: Designing Women (TV series)
1991: Roc (TV series) - Husband
1991: Child's Play 3 - Cop
1991: Terminator 2: Judgment Day - Burly Attendant
1989: Listen to Me - Attila
1988: Caddyshack II - Construction Worker