Lawrence Chenault (November 23, 1877 – December 27, 1943)[1][2] was an American vaudeville performer and silent film actor.

His debut was in Oscar Micheaux's The Brute in 1920, with other standouts from his career being the all-Black western The Crimson Skull[4] and Body and Soul.

[6] His role in Micheaux's Body and Soul reflects the director's choice of casting Black actors as both heroes and villains in his films.

[7] Chenault's acting style on camera was noted to be much more impacted by his time with the Lafayette Players than his earlier career in minstrel shows.

[8] On the week of August 8, 1928, Chenault made his debut appearance on the stage of the Harlem Alhambra, alongside Billy Andrews and George Randall.