Actor, producer, and director. Martin who was born on February 11, 1939, in New York, New York, is best known for his work in mainly blaxploitation films of the 1970s, and for his role as ‘Lionel Jefferson’ in the first two episodes of the television series, “The Jeffersons” in 1975, before the role was re-cast and given to actor Mike Evans. Martin’s films include, “Black Like Me” (1964), “Guess Who’s Coming To Dinner” (1967), “Rosemary’s Baby” (1968), “A Time To Sing” (1968), “Watermelon Man” (1970), “The Legend Of Nigger Charley” (1972), “The Final Comedown” (1972), “Hammer” (1972), “Black Caesar” (1973), “The Soul Of Nigger Charley” (1973), “Hell Up In Harlem” (1973), “Five On The Black Hand Side” (1973), “Book Of Numbers” (1973), “The Zebra Killer” (1974), “Sheba, Baby” (1975), “Dolemite” (1975), “Boss Nigger” (1975), “Death Journey” (1975), “Disco 9000” (1976), “Black Samurai” (1976), “Blind Rage” (1978), “The Big Score” (1983), and “The Bear” (1984). Martin also appeared on tealevision in “The Young Lawyers,” “Dr. Kildare,” “Daniel Boone,” “The Monkees,” “Cimarron Strip,” and “The Man From U.N.C.LE.” Continue reading Profile: D’Urville Martin (1939 –1984)