Lawrence Clayton was an American actor and singer.

A native of North Carolina, and graduate of North Carolina Central University, Clayton made his way to New York to pursue a career on the Broadway stage, which began when he became part of the cast of Dreamgirls in 1981, in the role of Effie's songwriting brother C.C. White.

Clayton also appeared in such musicals as The High Rollers Social and Pleasure Club (1992), Once Upon a Mattress (1996), The Civil War (1999), It Ain't Nothin' but the Blues (1999), and Bells Are Ringing (2001). His most recent Broadway role was in the 2015 revival of The Color Purple, in which he played Old Mister. Clayton appeared in national touring companies of Jesus Christ Superstar, The Wiz, and Les Miserables, among others.

Clayton's television resume includes episodes of The Equalizer, Law & Order: Criminal Intent, As the World Turns, The Big C, Homeland, Law & Order: Special Victims Unit, Elementary, and Pose.

Clayton died November 2, 2020, in New York City, New York. He was 64.