Lynn Manning

Lynn Manning (April 30, 1955 – August 3, 2015) was an American Paralympian, playwright, poet and actor known for his autobiographical work that explores the complexities of life as a blind African-American man. Lynn Manning's life was turned upside down when he was left blind after being shot in the face in a Hollywood bar in 1978, when he was 23 years old. He made a name for himself as a playwright and actor. He is best known for his semi-autobiographical work Weights, which premiered in Los Angeles in 2001. The play won three NAACP Theatre Awards including Best Actor for Manning and has since been performed throughout the country, including at the Theater By The Blind in New York City. Manning's last play, Up From The Downs had its world premiere at the Los Angeles Design Center on May 7, 2005.