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Blair Underwood just reflected on a 40-year legacy spanning groundbreaking television and cinema. The celebrated actor looked back at his iconic roles in L.A. Law and Set It Off, sharing how these projects transformed his career.
🔥 Quick Facts
- Birth Date: August 25, 1964, making Underwood currently 61 years old
- L.A. Law Debut: Joined the cast as attorney Jonathan Rollins in 1987, appearing until 1994
- Set It Off: Starred alongside Queen Latifah, Jada Pinkett Smith, and Vivica A. Fox in the 1996 crime thriller
- Recent Project: Released memoir A Soldier’s Wife: My Mother, the Marvelous Mrs. Marilyn A. Underwood in 2026
The Show That Changed Everything: L.A. Law at 40
L.A. Law premiered on September 15, 1986, becoming an instant juggernaut in American television. Underwood described the show as groundbreaking for my own life, my own career, noting it put everything into hyperspeed professionally. The legal drama dominated its Thursday night time slot with 35 to 40 million viewers watching each episode, something the actor emphasized is very difficult to achieve today.
Created by Steven Bochco and Terry Louise Fisher, the show pushed boundaries with topical storytelling and envelope-breaking narratives. A young David E. Kelley started his legendary career as a producer and writer on the series, later becoming his own juggernaut in the television industry.
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More Than a Lawyer: The Cultural Impact of Jonathan Rollins
The show made lawyers seem cool and hip, according to Underwood. Today, the actor regularly hears from people who cite L.A. Law as inspiration for becoming lawyers themselves. This cultural influence represents one of the show’s most enduring legacies, shaping career aspirations across a generation.
L.A. Law was noted for its feminist sensibility and innovative ensemble storytelling throughout its run. The series tackled controversial issues that were on the news but rarely depicted on television at the time. Underwood recalled how the cast and crew deliberately chose stories that resonated with contemporary social conversations.
From Hesitation to Favorite Film: Set It Off’s Journey
Underwood initially passed on Set It Off, concerned the script was just Girls in the Hood. Hollywood was green-lighting predominantly gang-related films about Black communities, and Boyz n the Hood and Menace II Society, while excellent, represented a limited scope. He stopped reading after just 14 pages and nearly walked away from what would become one of his favorite films.
His manager challenged his decision, prompting Underwood to read the complete script. He discovered a powerful love story between his character Keith Weston and Jada Pinkett Smith’s character Stoney. The romance enriched the larger narrative about four young women pursuing bank robbery as a path out of poverty. That decision transformed the project into something truly special.
| Project | Year | Role | Key Details |
| L.A. Law | 1987-1994 | Jonathan Rollins | Legal drama with 35-40 million viewers |
| Set It Off | 1996 | Keith Weston | Crime thriller with Queen Latifah cast |
“I learned that I want to know from beginning to end what I’m passing on or saying yes to. I’m very glad I didn’t get in the way of myself, because it’s one of my favorite films, and I’m so glad I got a chance to be a part of it.”
— Blair Underwood, Actor and Author
Why Does This Legacy Still Matter in 2026?
Underwood’s four decades in entertainment represent more than just individual success. His roles helped redefine Black representation in American television and film during critical periods. L.A. Law showcased a Black attorney navigating elite professional spaces with intelligence and complexity. Set It Off presented Black women as protagonists of their own stories, not supporting characters.
The 40-year retrospective arrives at a moment when Underwood continues creating, including his recent memoir honoring his mother. His willingness to pause and later complete the Set It Off script demonstrates a career philosophy of thoughtful decision-making, something he encourages others to embrace in their own professional journeys.
Sources
- ABC News: Blair Underwood reflects on L.A. Law and Set It Off career milestones, May 2026
- Entertainment Tonight: Retrospective interview with Blair Underwood on his television and film legacy
- Wikipedia: L.A. Law television series biography and cast information
