A veteran stand-up comic who inspires both admiration and ire with his brutally honest, racially charged, unabashedly liberal humor, this Los Angeles native ran with gangs as a teen until his cousin's murder prompted him to clean up his act. While working as a telemarketer, he met his future wife, who encouraged him to embark on an entertainment career. Hughley's autobiographical routines made him a hit on the comedy circuit, particularly with black audiences, which led to frequent appearances on
Def Comedy Jam and a spot as the host of BET's
Comic View. In 1998 he created and starred in the family-friendly sitcom
The Hughleys, based on his own experience of moving from the inner city to the suburbs. During his tenure, his career got a big boost from the Spike Lee-directed concert film
The Original Kings of Comedy, which showcased his raunchier, racier side. After his show folded in 2002, Hughley kept busy with a variety of hosting gigs and frequent talk-show appearances, notably on
Real Time with Bill Maher as a no-holds-barred lefty. In 2006, he landed a plum part as a late-night sketch-comedy star on Aaron Sorkin's
Studio 60 on the Sunset Strip.D.L. Hughley Fast Facts:
- Served as the first host of BET's Comic View in 1992.
- Cedric the Entertainer, Steve Harvey and Bernie Mac were his co-stars in Spike Lee's 2000 documentary The Original Kings of Comedy.
- Provided the voice of Gadgetmobile in 1999's Inspector Gadget movie and the 2003 sequel.
- D.L. Hughley Relationships:
- Audrey Hughley - Mother
- Charles Hughley - Father
- Kyle Hughley - Son
- LaDonna Hughley - Wife
- Ryan Hughley - Daughter
- Tyler Hughley - Daughter
