
Born David Charles Lawrence in Worthing, West Sussex, England, he migrated with his family to New Zealand in 1946, settling in New Plymouth before moving to Wellington in 1948.
Lawrence spent most of his life in New Zealand, but also worked extensively in Australia. He was a renowned jazz and rock drummer, playing drums in many bands, including Max Merritt & The Meteors, Quincy Conserve, Blerta, and The Crocodiles. His last recording was with Bernie McGann, Larry Gales and Jonathan Crayford on "Jazz at the St. James" in 1989.
In the early 1970s, Lawrence founded Blerta ("Bruno Lawrence's Electric Revelation and Travelling Apparition"). The multi and theatrical co-operative toured New Zealand and in parts of Australia. Blerta saw him performing alongside many people he would work with later as an actor, including director Geoff Murphy, and actors Martyn Sanderson and Ian Watkin.

Battletruck
1982 · as Willie

The Quiet Earth
1985 · as Zac Hobson

Numero Bruno
2000 · as Self

The Delinquents
1989 · as Bosun

Spotswood
1992 · as Robert, Carey's Father

Initiation
1987 · as Nat Molloy

Race for the Yankee Zephyr
1981 · as Barker

An Indecent Obsession
1985 · as Matt Sawyer

Death Warmed Up
1984 · as Tex

Rikky and Pete
1988 · as Sonny

Beyond Reasonable Doubt
1980 · as Pat Vesey

Smash Palace
1981 · as Al Shaw

Utu
1984 · as Williamson

Jack Be Nimble
1993 · as Teddy

The Rainbow Warrior
1997 · as Detective Sr. Sgt. Terry Batchelor

Goodbye Pork Pie
1981 · as Mulvaney

Grievous Bodily Harm
1988 · as Det. Sgt. Ray Birch

As Time Goes By
1988 · as Ryder