×
Cookies help us deliver our Services. By using our Services, you agree to our use of cookies. Learn More.

Why Lawrence Givens From Chicago Med Looks So Familiar

We may receive a commission on purchases made from links.

The 10th episode of Season 7 of "Chicago Med," "No Good Deed Goes Unpunished...in Chicago," introduced a fresh character to the environs of Chicago Gaffney Medical Center. Lawrence Givens, a dying man suffering from kidney disease, has an autistic son named Luke (Nik Sharp). While Dr. Crockett Marcel (Dominic Rains) tries to think of options that will save Givens' life, Lawrence wants to avoid the solution suggested to him — using Luke as a donor, which would unnecessarily stress the teen out.  It's Dr. Dean Archer (Steven Weber) who comes in with a miracle solution. His patient is braindead, and he lies to the man's next of kin that his final request was that his organs be donated. A blood match later, and Lawrence has a probable kidney.

The actor who plays Lawrence has quite a long and interesting trail of roles behind him. He's appeared on sitcoms, in horror movies, and in dramas. Here's why he might look familiar to you.

Brady Smith has been in sitcoms and dramas alike

Brady Smith got his start as an actor in 2002. His first role was a part in the CBS military drama "JAG," and he would go on to appear in series such as the cult sitcom "Andy Richter Controls the Universe," The CW's teen sitcom "What I Like About You," the 1998-2006 version of "Charmed," The CBS legal drama "Judging Amy," and NBC's monolithic "ER." The actor had a supporting role in the British sitcom pilot "According to Bex" in 2005, but was not a part of the show's regular cast during its run.

Smith appeared on "CSI: Miami," Lisa Kudrow's "The Comeback," and storied dramas "NCIS" and "The Mentalist" before landing spots on "Castle," "CSI: Crime Scene Investigation," the Jennifer Love Hewitt paranormal drama "Ghost Whisperer," and the long-lived Fox dramedy "Bones."

The actor appeared in legal procedurals "In Plain Sight" and "Harry's Law" before landing a recurring part which would make him quite a familiar face to Must-See TV fans.

The actor made an impression on Parks and Recreation

That's Brady Smith on "Parks and Recreation" as Grant Larson. Larson is the Director of the Midwest Branch of the National Parks Service, who offers Leslie Knope (Amy Poehler) a promotion to the Chicago branch of the National Parks Regional Office after noting how well she's done in Pawnee. While Leslie takes the promotion, she soon finds herself unable to leave Pawnee behind and must talk Larson into moving the office to Indiana so that she can return to her life with her friends and her husband, Ben Wyatt (Adam Scott). Larson agrees to her proposal, and in the flash-forward, we note that Leslie runs a bustling office and has become a successful and important member of the National Parks Service. Thanks to her winning ways, she and Ben are still happily together and also the parents of triplets. 

Smith appears in four episodes of the series during its 6th season, and these are the final episodes that take place in the show's linear timeline. After Leslie takes her promotion in "Moving Up," the show flashes forward from 2014 to 2017.

He was part of Happyland's fairytale

Smith next appeared in "Happyland," an MTV teen comedy revolving around Lucy Velez (Bianca A. Santos), who grew up at the titular Disneyland-like theme park. Her mother Elena (Camille Guaty) has portrayed Princess Adriana there for 20 years, and Lucy yearns to escape her mother's fate and live a life dictated by reality outside of Happyland. But Lucy finds herself stepping into her mother's shoes as Princess Adriana, and is paired with the park owner's son, Ian Chandler (Shane Harper), who takes on the role of Prince Valor. Lucy soon learns the truth about their connection while kissing for one of the park's live shows; she's the daughter of James Chandler, and Ian is her half-brother.

Brady Smith portrayed James Chandler — Lucy's biological father, who was unaware of his existence when he broke up with Elena. James is also the owner of Happyland and the father of both Ian and his brother Theodore "Theo" Chandler (Ryan Rottman). Old sparks between Elena and James still linger, in spite of James' marriage to Margot (Danielle Bisutti). Smith appeared in six of the show's eight aired episodes, which came out in 2008.

He didn't miss the boat in this Sunny appearance

One of Brady Smith's most memorable supporting roles was that of Tony in the Season 10 episode of "It's Always Sunny in Philadelphia," "The Gang Misses the Boat." In this outing, Frank Reynolds (Danny DeVito), Dee Reynolds (Kaitlin Olson), Charlie Kelly (Charlie Day), Dennis Reynolds (Glenn Howerton), and Ronald "Mac" McDonald (Rob McElhenney) decide to go their separate ways and experience life without one another after failing to make it to a party on a boat. 

While Frank tries to find a place for himself in another gang, Mac discovers the club life, Dee and Charlie find out that they have more in common than they originally thought, and Dennis tries to tame his temper. He dedicates himself to finding a buyer for his Range Rover. Smith plays the guy who finally causes Dennis to burst into a rage after referring to his half-submerged Range Rover as a "starter" vehicle appropriate for toting around his daughter.

Smith went on to appear in a string of Lifetime TV movies, including "The Perfect Daughter" and "Love Always, Santa," before landing his next major role.

His dad harbored a deadly secret in Truth or Dare

The Blumhouse horror film "Truth or Dare" didn't win a lot of critical love (It only holds a 15 percent critical approval score at Rotten Tomatoes), but it definitely boosted Brady Smith's career.

Smith appears as Roy Cameron, father of protagonist Markie (Violett Beane), who died by suicide before the film opens. Roy haunts his daughter via ghostly video phone appearances — an appendage of the demon the twentysomethings have accidentally summoned — which has forced them into a deadly (and titular) game of truth or dare. Markie has saved her father's gun because she has considered using it, and her father's ghost taunts her into a suicide attempt of her own. But she's saved from it by her friends. Near the end of the film, she learns why Roy died by suicide; he sexually assaulted her best friend, Olivia Barron (Lucy Hale). Roy killed himself because he couldn't face down the shame of what he'd done. She is subsequently lets go of her bitterness toward Olivia and her grief over her father's death.

If you or anyone you know is having suicidal thoughts, please call the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline​ at​ 1-800-273-TALK (8255)​.

f you or anyone you know has been a victim of sexual assault, help is available. Visit the Rape, Abuse & Incest National Network website or contact RAINN's National Helpline at 1-800-656-HOPE (4673).

He's been a reality TV star alongside his famous spouse

Smith has participated in several projects with his wife, Tiffani Thiessen, who is best known as Kelly Kapowski on "Saved by the Bell" and "Saved by the Bell: The New Class," as well as the USA Network crime dramedy "White Collar." Many of these shows chronicle their lives together during important moments related to their marriage. 

He appeared in 11 episodes of "Dinner at Tiffani's," a Cooking Channel show that featured the actress hosting dinner parties featuring her family and friends. The program lasted for three seasons and featured Thiessen cooking with her friends, discussing cocktail recipes, and making restaurant recommendations. He also appeared in HGTV's "Design Star" along with Thiessen. The program threw a spotlight on the couple's home renovation. Thiessen and Smith's wedding was one of several celebrity ceremonies covered in the 2006 television special "Celebrity Weddings: In Style." They share two children and continue to appear together at red carpet events. They've also written a children's book together, titled "You're Missing It!"