A quiet yet powerful actor, Lumbly has risen from playing the decidedly supporting--almost background--role of Detective Marcus Petrie on "Cagney & Lacey" (CBS, 1982-88) to essaying numerous secondary and leading parts in TV and films. Raised in Minneapolis by Jamaican immigrant parents, Lumbly's first break came in 1976 when he appeared opposite Danny Glover in two plays by Athol Fugard, "Sizwe Banzi is Dead" and "The Island". He later toured in this double bill. Among his other stage credits are "The Tempest" (1981) and "A Midsummer Night's Dream" (1988) at the New York Shakespeare Festival
Met Dudley Riggs, founder of Brave New Workshop Theatre, while doing a story for the Associated Press; joined the comedy troupe and remained there for two years
