American Actor Best Known for Portraying the Role of 'Caine Lawson' in 1993 Film ‘Menace II Society’

Tyrin Turner | Biography

Made his on-screen debut in the 1990 short film 'Rhythm Nation 1914' as an extra

• By Ashna Tamrakar
• Original : October 21, 2021

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Tyrin Turner is an American actor prominently known for playing the lead role of Caine Lawson in the critically acclaimed urban drama ‘Menace II Society.’

Who Is Tyrin Turner?

Tyrin Turner is an American television and film actor and writer. He made his on-screen debut in the 1990 short film Rhythm Nation 1914 as an extra. The following year, Turner would make his television debut, appearing in the TV documentary series Michael Jordan’s Playground (1991). However, he got his breakthrough role as Kaydee Caine Lawson in the 1993 film Menace II Society. 

He has also appeared in urban music videos, including Janet Jackson’s 1989 long-form music video for Rhythm Nation.’ In addition, throughout the 1990s, he featured in different cameo appearances on television shows such as Chicago Hope and Hangin’ with Mr. Cooper. 

Furthermore, Turner has been creating comic content for his good friend Jamie Foxx and comedian Affion Crockett behind the scenes for almost two decades.

How Old Is Tyrin Turner?

Tyrin Turner was born in South Central Los Angeles on 17 July 1972. He grew up in the area with his mother and grandmother. 

Movies and Television Shows

Turner made his on-screen debut as an extra in the 1990 short film Rhythm Nation 1914. The following year, he would make his television debut as Charlie Green, appearing in one episode of the TV documentary series Michael Jordan’s Playground (1991). The documentary is based on the true story of one of the NBA legends, Michael Jordan. It stars Jordan in his acting debut as he motivates a young player who has just been dropped from his high school basketball team. 

In 1992, Turner appeared as a kid in one episode of the television series Jake and the Fatman. That year, he also featured in two movies: Hitz and Deep Cover. The following year, he got his career-defining role of Caine Lawson in the critically acclaimed film Menace II Society. 

Throughout the 1990s, Turner also made guest appearances in several other films, including What About Your Friends (1995), Panther (1995), The Method (1997), Little Boy Blue (1997), and Belly (1998). He also featured in television series like CBS Schoolbreak Special (1 episode in 1995), Fallen Angels (1 episode in 1995), New York Undercover (1 episode in 1997), and Chicago Hope (4 episodes from 1995 to 1997).

During the 2000s and 2010s, Turner was cast in a string of movies, including Flossin, How High, Crime Partners, Nite Tales: The Movie, A Day in the Life, Ghetto Stories, When a Woman’s Fed Up, Highway, and many more. He also starred in television series like Sherman’s Showcase (1 episode, 2020), Black-ish Big (1 episode, 2017), In the Cut (1 episode, 2017), Tales (1 episode, 2017), and Saints & Sinners (3 episodes, 2017). 

Turner’s most recent screen appearances include features in All-Star Weekend as Juggs (2021), Steppin Into Love as Doctor McCoy (2021), The House Next Door: Meet the Blacks 2 as Rico (2021), Dutch as Sugar ray (2021), and Fatale as Tyrin Abenathy (2020). 

‘Menace II Society’

Menace II Society is an American teen drama directed by Allen and Albert Hughes in their feature film directing debut. The movie was released on 26 May 1993. Turner portrayed the lead role of Caine Lawson alongside renowned artists like Jada Pinkett Smith and Larenz Tate.

The urban crime drama follows a story of a teenage street hustler Caine who tries to escape the ghetto’s hardships and temptations in search of a better life. The movie also earned ‘Best Movie’ by MTV awards in 1994.

Other Works

Throughout the 1990s, Turner had several cameo appearances in hip-hop music videos. For example, he featured as the main character in Janet Jackson’s long-form music video for ‘Rhythm Nation,’ released in 1989.

Besides his on-screen career, he attempted to start a musical career. In the late 1990s, he signed with Rap-A-Lot Records, but no full album was ever published. He has also featured artists like Cypress Hill, Mona Lisa, Geto Boys, and Scarface on the albums.

Turner also served as a writer for the TV series In the Flow with Affion Crockett (2011) and one episode of My parents, My sisters & me (2010). He also worked as an associate producer of the 2021 movie The House Next Door: Meet the Blacks 2.

What Is Tyrin Turner’s Net Worth?

According to Celebrity Net Worth, Turner has an estimated net worth of $100,000 as of October 2021.

Wife & Kids

Turner has been married to his wife, Amina Garner. The couple share two kids, twins, daughter Shamaya Turner and son Raheem Turner.