Laurence Fishburne to Develop Television Programming for CBS

By Adam Hetrick
December 16, 2008

"CSI" star and Tony winner Laurence Fishburne has signed a deal with CBS to develop new projects for television.

Variety reports that Fishburne's Cinema Gypsy Productions, co-operated with Helen Sugland, will relocate to the CBS lot in Studio City, CA, as part of a first-look deal with CBS Paramount Network Television, which also presents "CSI." Rose Catherine Pinkney will oversee the television projects developed as part of the new deal.

Fishburne told Variety, "I have always wanted to continue to expand our production efforts at Cinema Gypsy into television, and Rose Catherine's extensive background and experience in TV is a natural fit with those plans."

Fishburne earned a 2008 Tony Award nomination for his portrayal of Supreme Court Justice Thurgood Marshall. The actor previously earned Tony, Drama Desk and Theatre World Awards for his performance in Two Trains Running. Fishburne was nominated for an Academy Award for the film "What's Love Got to Do with It." His screen credits also include "The Color Purple," "Apocalypse Now," "The Matrix" trilogy and "Mission: Impossible III."