David Raynr


Actor, Director

Biography

After acting in film and television for nearly two decades, David Raynr switched gears mid-career to become a director. He made his thespian debut as the young Scott Joplin in a 1977 television biopic. The same year, he landed a regular part on the short-lived series "James At 16" as the title character's best friend Ludwig "Sly" Hazeltine, receiving critical acclaim for his portrayal of...

Biography

After acting in film and television for nearly two decades, David Raynr switched gears mid-career to become a director. He made his thespian debut as the young Scott Joplin in a 1977 television biopic. The same year, he landed a regular part on the short-lived series "James At 16" as the title character's best friend Ludwig "Sly" Hazeltine, receiving critical acclaim for his portrayal of an African-American youth who speaks in jive but comes from a stable, artistic middle-class background. Guest parts after the drama's sole season came to an end included a two-episode turn on the popular cop show "CHiPs" while more substantive roles included playing Sammy Davis Jr. in the made-for-TV "Sinatra," which was released in 1992. During the mid-'90s, Raynr began transitioning to a behind-the-scenes career, first co-producing the 1996 Martin Lawrence vehicle "A Thin Line Before Love And Hate" before receiving his first writing credit on the sitcom "Malcolm & Eddie." In 1999, Raynr made his first film, the urban sex comedy "Trippin'," following it up the next year with the teen romance "Whatever It Takes." Subsequent efforts include the 2002 stand-up concert film "Martin Lawrence Live: Runteldat" and the oddball 2007 new age making-it-in-Hollywood drama "Spiritual Warriors."

Life Events

Bibliography