Larenz Tate

I was born on September 8, 1975 on the westside of Chicago to Larry and Peggy Tate. I am the youngest of three brothers, actors Larron and Lahmard Tate. In 1984, my family moved to California. It was while living in California that my parents got my brothers and I involved in a drama program at the Inner City Cultural Center. I'll admit at first we were interested just to meet girls, however when we saw classmate actor Malcolm-Jamal Warner get cast in the role of Theo for the Cosby Show, we began to take it more seriously. From then on, my brothers began getting other small roles. My career first took off in a Christmas episode of "The Twilight Zone - The Series" after which roles began pouring in. I am blessed to have gone on to star in both television series and movies.
I would say in a relatively short span of time, I have earned the reputation as one of the most promising young actors in Hollywood. I have been noted for my fine performances, including a Best Actor NAACP Image Award nomination for his role in Theodore Witcher's "Love Jones." I starred opposite the talented Nia Long in this love story, which won the Audience Award for Best Film at the 1997 Sundance Film Festival.
I received the award for Best Actor, in 1999, at the Acapulco Black Film Festival, for my portrayal as the 1950's doo-whop singer Frankie Lymon in "Why Do Fools Fall In Love." The Warner Bros. film also starred Halle Berry, Lela Rochon and Vivica A. Fox. I also starred opposite Kevin Costner in Warner Bros. "The Postman."
I made a feature film debut in the Allen and Albert Hughes' drama "Menace II Society," followed by a starring role in the Matty Rich comedy "The Inkwell." I teamed up once again, with the Hughes brothers in the acclaimed film "Dead Presidents."
On television, I earned recognition for his performance in the critically lauded Fox series "South Central," the ABC series "New Attitudes and the CBS series "Royal Family."
I studied music, theater, and art with my two brothers Larron and Lahmard at the Inner City Cultural Center in Los Angeles. I made my professional acting debut in an episode of "The Twilight Zone-The Series."
My aspirations goes beyond being in front of the camera to producing behind the scenes. I now get to add an Executive Producer title to my credits for the Independent Feature Film "Love Come Down," in which I star and the lovely R&B singer Deborah Cox.
My brothers Larron, writer-producer and Lahmard, actor, and I formed a production company of our own called Tate Men Entertainment. We also founded The Tate Bros Foundation, a charitable non-profit organization that was created to assist and provide funds for children of color living with the debilitating disease of sickle cell anemia.