Lawrence Clayton death: Dreamgirls Broadway star dies aged 64

Actor remembered as ‘wonderful man’

Lawrence Clayton (Rex Features)

Lawrence Clayton, an actor and singer who starred in Broadway shows The Colour Purple and Dreamgirls, has died aged 64.

The star died after a two-year battle with glioblastoma cancer.  

A representative from Clayton’s talent agency Buchwald told Variety that he was “a wonderfully talented actor and glorious singer”.

Clayton made his Broadway debut in Dreamgirls in 1981 as Effie White’s brother, CC.

He also appeared in Nineties shows The High Rollers Social and Pleasure Club, Once Upon a Mattress, The Civil War and It Ain’t Nothin’ but the Blues.

He later starred in Bells Are Ringing, Jesus Christ Superstar and Les Miserables.  

His most recent Broadway role was as Old Mister in the 2015 revival of The Colour Purple.

Clayton also had small roles in TV series such as Homeland, Pose and Law & Order.

Theatre director Laurence Connor tweeted: “So sad to hear of the passing of Lawrence Clayton. It was a joy to direct him as Jean Valjean on the tour of Les Miserables over 10 years ago. I will never forget first hearing his ‘Bring Him Home’ and wanting him for the role. A wonderful actor and a wonderful man. RIP.”

Clayton is survived by his wife, Linda, and their son, Matthew.