Lawrence Hilton Jacobs continues to be a beloved entertainer

Some actors make their mark as teens or young adults and then become a 'Whatever happened to.' Others remain in the spotlight because of bad behavior. Lawrence Hilton Jacobs is one of the rare entertainers who has continued to hone his craft into adulthood without ever being out of the public eye or involved in a scandal. According to Wikipedia Jacobs began his career in 1969 but there is not any record of roles he played at that time.

The actor was born on September 4, 1953, in New York City to Hilton and Clothilda Jacobs and was the 5th of their 9 children. In 1971 Jacobs graduated from the High School of Art and Design in 1971 and later studied acting with the Al Fann Theatrical Ensemble and also the Negro Ensemble Company. Jacobs is so beloved by fans that the housing project in Eddie Murphy's television program THE PJ's is named the Hilton-Jacobs Projects in his honor.

Lawrence Hilton Jacobs is a singer as well as an actor and sang on Rick James 1981 album "Street Songs." He also released his own album titled LAWRENCE HILTON JACOBS in 1978. His first known role was in the 1974 movie Claudine and he was also in the cult classic COOLEY HIGH in 1975. In that same year, he became a household name by starring as Freddie "Boom Boom" Jackson in WELCOME BACK CARTER on ABC from 1975-1979. John Travolta and Vernee Watson, (FRESH PRINCE OF BELAIR, GENERAL HOSPITAL were two of his costars.

In 1983 he appeared in BANGERS AND MASH and in 1992 wowed fans with his portrayal of Joe Jackson in THE JACKSONS: AN AMERICAN DREAM. The actor who recently celebrated his 68th birthday has aged gracefully and maintained his boyish charm. Lawrence Hilton Jacobs is also a screenwriter whose credits include ANGELS OF THE CITY and LA VICE. His music credits are "Lawrence Hilton-Jacobs S/T" (1978) and "All the Way...Love" (1979). In 1981 he produced "Let Me Do It" for HALO.

The versatile entertainer has stage credits which include 'I Love My Wife", "Delirious," Ceremonies in "Dark Old Men, " "I Can Do Bad All By Myself," Deadwood Dick, Legend Of The West," and "Mr. Right Now" He has also had roles in many television series including "Fame," Hillstreet Blues," Simon and Simon," "Rosanne" "The Redd Foxx Show" "The Jamie Fox Show" "Martin", "LA Doctors," "Sisters" "That's So Raven" "Gilmore Girls", "Ellen," "Moesha," and many more.

The actor added to his resume this year when he was nominated for “Outstanding Lead Actor in a Daytime Fiction Program” for his portrayal of Cameran Sanders in Season 3 of A HOUSE DIVIDED. The series airs on the streaming service THE URBAN MOVIE CHANNEL. During an interview wit DIGITAL JOURNAL Jacobs said he was honored to receive the nomination and added that he had been in the entertainment business for 55 years.

Jacobs says he continues to remain close with the cast of WELCOME BACK KOTTER and added they are like family. He also gave a profound definition of success.“Living and being able to have a stepping stone for some acknowledgment of your achievements. In my mind, there is no quitting.” Kudos to Lawrence Hilton Jacobs for not quitting and showing that you can maintain within the world of entertainment and be recognized for your accomplishments without being extra and garnering negative press. WELCOME BACK KOTTER and COOLEY HIGH both continue to play on classic television networks so check your local listings.