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Denyce Lawton

Denyce Lawton

Actor, also producer · Born May 2, 1978 (48) · Seoul - South Korea

Multiethnic (African-American / Korean) actress Denyce Lawton is best known for her four seasons on the six-time NAACP Best Comedy Series Winner series House of Payne (2006) from producer Tyler Perry. Denyce was born and raised in the New Jersey communities of Belmar and Neptune (familiar to viewers of the series Jersey Shore (2009) and later moved to Washington, DC. She completed middle school and high school in Prince Georges County, Maryland. Graduating at the top of her class while taking college course classes her senior year, she participated in almost every academic program and club the school offered, and was Vice President of her senior class, She took part in the Biotechnology Program for gifted students (headed for The medical field), the Future Teachers of America Club, the yearbook staff, the pom-pom squad, girls basketball and--what would turn out to be most important to her--the drama club. After graduation, she studied pre-med at the University Of Maryland while attending an early studies program at prestigious Johns Hopkins University. Denyce began her professional entertainment career as a background dancer on the Broadway stage and later for such recording artists such as Ye, *NSYNC, Mya, Nelly, Jagged Edge, Ja Rule, Sean 'Diddy' Combs and many others. She also served as Assistant Vice President of Urban Promotions at Warner Brother Records, and later became A&R VP at Priority Records in New York City. She worked as personal assistant to record executive Irv Gotti at Murder Inc. Records and Assistant Junior Publicist at 20th Century Fox Pictures. She started a modeling career with work for Kemi Oil, FUBU, ADIDAS, Enyce, Karl Kani and Baby Phat, while gaining acting experience with roles in New York City's famous "Shakespeare in the Park" series. She also appeared in music videos for such artists as Clay Aiken ("The Way"), 112 ("Peaches and Cream"), Nas ("One Mic") and Jaheim ("Anything"), among others. She has had roles in such TV series as Castle (2009) and Entourage (2004) in the feature films The Dempsey Sisters (2013), Soul Plane (2004) and Act Like You Love Me (2013).

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Biography from IMDb.

Born
May 2, 1978 (48)
From
Seoul - South Korea
Works as
Actor, also producer
Titles
25 on MovieCove · 32 credits in all
Links
IMDb (opens in a new tab)TMDB (opens in a new tab)Wikidata (opens in a new tab)

Known for

TMDB popularity, last 64 days to Oct 27Down 34% in 30 days

What are Denyce Lawton's films like?

Across their 16 MovieCove titles with a thematic analysis, their films lean Bonds and Morality.

Genres

Comedy7 titlesTypical Midcredits score: 25th percentile, at or above their average across these genres
: browse their Comedy movies
Drama3 titlesTypical Midcredits score: 33rd percentile, at or above their average across these genres
: browse their Drama movies
Horror3 titlesTypical Midcredits score: 5th percentile
: browse their Horror movies

Their MovieCove films by primary genre. The badge is the typical Midcredits score of the genre's films, the median percentile; an up arrow marks a genre at or above their average across these genres.

Themes

share of theme weight
Bonds
47%
Morality
25%
Survival
12%
Self
10%
Society
4%
Power
2%
Ideas
1%
Romantic love7 titles, browse their movies with this themeFamily bonds6 titles, browse their movies with this themeSurvival2 titles, browse their movies with this themeDeception3 titles, browse their movies with this themeBetrayal2 titles, browse their movies with this themeRevenge2 titles, browse their movies with this themeSelf-worth4 titles, browse their movies with this themeFriendship2 titles, browse their movies with this theme

What they feel like to watch

their average across 16 films
ToneFeelDemandtheir average · filled zone: the category
Serious: How heavy the subject matter and outlook get. Browse their serious movies.
Tone · Weight
lightdark

A split, not a type: Light 7 · Serious 6 · Dark 3

Grounded: How far its world departs from everyday reality. Browse their grounded movies.
Tone · Style
naturalisticheightened

Grounded 14 · Stylized 2 · Heightened 0

Charged: How hard the emotional peaks hit while you watch. Browse their charged movies.
Feel · Intensity
gentleintense

Gentle 6 · Charged 6 · Intense 4

Steady: How much it swings between very different feelings. Browse their steady movies.
Feel · Swings
steadyswings

Steady 9 · Shifting 6 · Whiplash 1

Some laughs: How much of the runtime is played for laughs. Browse their some laughs movies.
Feel · Humor
noneconstant

Straight-faced 6 · Some laughs 9 · Funny 1

Even-paced: How fast it moves from scene to scene. Browse their even-paced movies.
Demand · Pace
slowrelentless

Slow burn 6 · Even-paced 8 · Relentless 2

Casual: How much focus it asks of you — look away and lose the thread? Browse their casual movies.
Demand · Attention
casualfull focus

Casual 11 · Engaged 5 · Full focus 0

Resolved: How much is left for you to interpret. Browse their resolved movies.
Demand · Resolution
resolvedambiguous

Resolved 13 · Open-ended 2 · Ambiguous 1

Roles they play

8 analyzed roles

Usually the Hero: 4 of 8 analyzed roles.

Hero
4 of 8
Herald
2 of 8
Ally
1 of 8
Shapeshifter
1 of 8
Show the 8 roles

Moods and endings

endings are an aggregate; no title is named

Dominant moods · mentions across their titles

Tense
8
Warm
7
Romantic
6
Dread
3
Joyful
3
Other
14

How their films linger

Feel-good7 titles, browse their movies with this aftertasteUnsettling6 titles, browse their movies with this aftertasteHopeful5 titles, browse their movies with this aftertasteBittersweet3 titles, browse their movies with this aftertasteFun3 titles, browse their movies with this aftertasteInfuriating2 titles, browse their movies with this aftertaste

How their films end · 5 with a twist

  • Happy7
  • Bittersweet4
  • Ambiguous5

AI-generated from each title's plot synopsis and cast list, with extra plot summaries, reviews and Parents Guide notes for titles the model may not know, and the model's own knowledge of the ones it recognizes. Only analyzed titles count, so this covers part of the filmography; the feel axes count films only for now.

Where can I watch Denyce Lawton's films?

As of October 24, 2026, 24 of their 25 MovieCove titles stream on a subscription or free service, most on Tubi (15).

Also on these channels

Subscription and free streaming for Denyce Lawton's titles on MovieCove; rent and buy are not counted. Titles are listed by Midcredits score, highest first, at most 12 per service; a dashed chip is a producer credit or a minor one, such as a thanks. A service opens the browse page, which counts movies only, so its number can differ.

Filmography

32 credits, 25 with a MovieCove page.

  • South Haven (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2025)

    as Fatimah Moore

  • Universal Basic Guys(2024)

    Show 1 episode · as (voice)

    Midcredits score: 14th percentile of all shows

  • Under the Influence (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2023)

    as Danae Ryan

  • Most Wanted Santa(2021)

    as FBI Agent Harper Winslow

    Midcredits score: 52nd percentile of all films (provisional, few ratings)

  • The Hot Zone(2019)

    Show 4 episodes · as Sheila Willis

    Midcredits score: 67th percentile of all shows

  • Fanatic (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2019)

    as Lexi

  • When It Comes Around(2018)

    as Jerry

    Midcredits score: 17th percentile of all films

  • All Between Us(2018)

    as Clara

    Midcredits score: 3rd percentile of all films

  • Secrets(2017)

    as Secret Jenkins

    Midcredits score: 33rd percentile of all films

  • Justice Served(2015)

    as Mia Orlando

    Midcredits score: 4th percentile of all films

  • Chicago P.D.(2014)

    Show 1 episode · as Maya Williams

    Midcredits score: 89th percentile of all shows

  • The Dempsey Sisters(2013)

    Producer · as Deena Dempsey

    Midcredits score: 32nd percentile of all films

  • Frat Brothers(2013)

    Producer · as Professor Simone Breaux

    Midcredits score: 38th percentile of all films

  • Act Like You Love Me(2013)

    as Susan Lofton

    Midcredits score: 35th percentile of all films

  • Between Sisters(2013)

    as Serena

    Midcredits score: 81st percentile of all films

  • The Coalition(2012)

    as Skylar Hathaway

    Midcredits score: 18th percentile of all films

  • The Love Letter(2013)

    Producer

    Midcredits score: 25th percentile of all films

  • Winnerz (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2013)

    as Carmen

  • No Vacancy(2012)

    as Brandy

    Midcredits score: 5th percentile of all films

  • Switchin' the Script(2012)

    Actor

    Midcredits score: 4th percentile of all films

  • The Love You Save (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2011)

    as Shayla

  • Castle(2009)

    Show 1 episode · as Lillian Hernandez

    Midcredits score: 93rd percentile of all shows

  • Vlog(2008)

    as Jasmine

    Midcredits score: 2nd percentile of all films

  • Dead Tone(2007)

    as Anna

    Midcredits score: 12th percentile of all films

  • Redline(2007)

    as Miranda

    Midcredits score: 7th percentile of all films

  • It Ain't Easy (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2006)

    as Kelly

  • Entourage(2004)

    Show 1 episode · as Party Girl (uncredited)

    Midcredits score: 93rd percentile of all shows

  • Soul Plane(2004)

    as Flight Attendant #3 (uncredited)

    Midcredits score: 14th percentile of all films

  • Half & Half(2002)

    Show 1 episode · as Beautiful Girl

    Midcredits score: 68th percentile of all shows

  • Go for Broke (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2002)

    as Venom

  • State Property(2002)

    as Bikini Girl #2 (uncredited)

    Midcredits score: 16th percentile of all films

  • The Parkers(1999)

    Show 1 episode · Actor

    Midcredits score: 56th percentile of all shows

Career shape

Star power in the 68th percentile of 239,109 people with a billed film role, over a full career of 31 titles from 1999 to 2025; peak year 2007.

Biggest box office

Redline (2007)

$8.3M worldwide

Highest rated

Dead Tone (2007)

Midcredits 12th

Film career

19992025

Peak 2007 · fewer prominent film roles lately. Film roles by billing, audience size and rating; 25+ votes. A show carries a single first-air date, so shows are not on the curve.

By role

only this rolewith another role
Acting31 of 31: 31 only acting, 0 with another role · typical Midcredits score25th

By decade

1990s1 · acting2000s10 · acting2010s16 · acting2020s4 · acting

Counts from TMDB across their full career, self appearances out; a title counts in every role they held on it. The ring is the typical Midcredits score (the median percentile) of the role's titles that are on MovieCove, shown from 5 scored.

How do Denyce Lawton's films land?

Their typical MovieCove film has a Midcredits score in the 17th percentile, the median of all 18; across their 16 films with reception data, the typical film sits in the 16th percentile for acclaim.

Acclaim · how much people like their films

16thpercentile
Typical film, the median of 16

Approval · how many liked their films

19thpercentile
Typical film, the median of 16

Reach · how many have seen their films

19thpercentile
Typical film, the median of 16

Midcredits score across 25 titles, by percentile

  • 75th and up4
  • 50th to 74th4
  • 25th to 49th5
  • Below 25th12

Shape of the crowd

11 of their 25 titles are Mixed.

  • Universally Loved3
  • Universally Panned1
  • Divisive5
  • Cult Classic3
  • Crowd Pleaser2
  • Mixed11

Most divisive · actor, producer

Frat Brothers (2013)

95th percentile spread · 41% rated it 4 or lower

Most loved · actor

Between Sisters (2013)

Midcredits 81st · 61% liked

Reviewers score the acting 43/100 in their films, across 14 reviewed titles; fans 68, detractors 26. The element that speaks to their work as an actor.

Percentiles are each film's standing among all films on MovieCove; the typical film is the median, so one outlier cannot drag it. Percentiles and reviewer scores count the films IMDb credits them on, for now; the Midcredits score bands, the shape of the crowd and the two cards count their MovieCove titles, shows included (a show ranked among shows), appearances as themselves left out. A descriptor is the shape of a title's IMDb rating distribution against the catalog; "most divisive" needs a spread wider than half of all titles, and a card names only a principal credit: a craft role, and on a show a crew role or a run of episodes, never a courtesy credit or a one-off guest spot.

Who does Denyce Lawton work with?

People who share at least 2 of Denyce Lawton's MovieCove titles, grouped by what they did on them; Eric Tomosunas shares the most, 5.

Directors

Actors

Composers, cinematographers and editors

Producers