Dead, Lynn Manning, born April 30, 1955 is a playwright, poet and actor well known for his autobiographical work that explores the complexities of life as a blind African American man.
Lynn Manning was born in Fresno, California, but raised in Los Angeles, and has eight siblings.
At a young age he and his siblings were placed into foster homes. At 23 years of age, he lost his eyesight after suffering a gunshot to the face.
Manning lives in Los Angeles with his wife, Shirley. He is a member of Screen Actor’s Guild, Actors’ Equity, and The Actor’s Studio’s West-coast Writers/Directors Unit.
He also teaches children and adults who are visually impaired martial arts as a sensei of the judo program at the Braille Institute of Los Angeles.
Lynn Manning’s life was turned upside down when he was blinded in a Hollywood bar in 1978 at age 23 in a random act of violence. He has since gone on to make a name for himself as a playwright and actor.
He is best known for his semi-autobiographical work Weights, which premiered in Los Angeles in 2001.
The play has won three NAACP Theatre Awards including Best Actor for Lynn’s role in the play, and has since been performed throughout the country, including at the Theater By The Blind in New York City.
Lynn’s latest play, Up From The Downs had its world premiere at the Los Angeles Design Center on May 7, 2005.