Born David Charles Lawrence in Worthing, West Sussex, England, he migrated with his family to New Zealand in 1946, settling in New Plymouth before moving to Wellington in 1948. Lawrence spent most of his life in New Zealand, but also worked extensively in Australia. He was a renowned jazz and rock drummer, playing drums in many bands, including Max Merritt & The Meteors, Quincy Conserve, Blerta, and The Crocodiles. His last recording was with Bernie McGann, Larry Gales and Jonathan Crayford on "Jazz at the St. James" in 1989. In the early 1970s, Lawrence founded Blerta ("Bruno Lawrence's Electric Revelation and Travelling Apparition"). The multi and theatrical co-operative toured New Zealand and in parts of Australia. Blerta saw him performing alongside many people he would work with later as an actor, including director Geoff Murphy, and actors Martyn Sanderson and Ian Watkin.

Фільмографія

• 1997The Rainbow Warrior — Detective Sr. Sgt. Terry Batchelor
• Frontline — Brian Thompson
• 1994Gino — Mr. Palzetti
• 1993Jack Be Nimble — Teddy
• The Feds — Larry 'Icehouse' Porter
• 1992Spotswood — Robert, Carey's Father
• 1990The Rogue Stallion — John Peterson
• 1989The Delinquents — Bosun
• 1988As Time Goes By — Ryder
• 1988Grievous Bodily Harm — Det. Sgt. Ray Birch
• 1988Rikky and Pete — Sonny
• 1988The Rainbow Warrior Conspiracy — Detective Sergeant Batchelor
• 1987Initiation — Nat Molloy
• 1986Bridge to Nowhere — Mac
• 1986Pallet on the Floor — Original Music Composer
• The Great Bookie Robbery — Cracka Park
• 1985An Indecent Obsession — Matt Sawyer
• 1985Тиха Земля — Zac Hobson, Writer
• 1984Death Warmed Up — Tex
• 1984Heart of the Stag — Peter Daley, Writer
• 1984Wild Horses — Tyson
• 1983Utu — Williamson
• 1982Battletruck — Willie
• 1982Carry Me Back
• 1981Goodbye Pork Pie — Mulvaney
• 1981Race for the Yankee Zephyr — Barker
• 1981Smash Palace — Al Shaw, Writer
• 1980Beyond Reasonable Doubt — Pat Vesey
• 1977Wild Man — Wild Man, Writer
• 1970Tank Busters — Bruno
• 1965Hurry Hurry Faster Faster

Ток-шоу, премії та інші появи (3)

• 2000Numero Bruno — Self
• 1990Cowboys of Culture — Self
• 1983Making Utu — Self