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David Alan Grier Biography

Birth Name:David Alan Grier

Birth Place:Detroit, Michigan, United States

Profession Actor, Soundtrack, Writer, Producer

Fast Facts

  • Comedy Central named him one of the "100 Greatest Stand-ups of All Time․"
  • Has been nominated for three Tony Awards during his career for his roles in "The First," "RACE" and "Porgy & Bess․"
  • Graduated from Yale University with a master's degree in drama, becoming a trained Shakespearean actor
  • Made his Broadway debut in the short-lived "The First," playing the baseball star Jackie Robinson
  • Hosted his own show called "Chocolate News," where he presented news stories, both real and fictional, from the African American perspective
  • Has been in a number of Broadway productions, including "Dream Girls," "Race" and "A Funny Thing Happened on the Way to the Forum․"
  • Released his first book, "Barack Like Me: The Chocolate Covered Truth," in 2009, giving a comedic input on politics and cultures, and what would happen if he served in the president’s cabinet
  • Was a contestant on "Dancing With the Stars" with Kym Johnson as his partner, getting eliminated in the 5th week and losing 26 pounds while on the show

Awards

  • 1983Best Actor-: winner
  • 1994Image Award-Outstanding Performance in a Variety Series: nominated
  • 1999Image Award-Outstanding Supporting Actor in a Comedy Series: nominated
  • 2003Image Award-Outstanding Supporting Actor in a Comedy Series: nominated
  • 2003Bronze Wrangler-Television Feature Film: winner
  • 2004Golden Satellite Award-Best Actor in a Supporting Role in a Series, Comedy or Musical: nominated
  • 2005WIN Award-Actor in Made-for-TV Movie/Miniseries: nominated
  • 2012Groundbreaking Show-: winner
  • 2015Black Reel-Outstanding Actor, TV Movie or Mini-Series: nominated
  • 2016Black Reel-Outstanding Supporting Actor, TV Movie or Limited Series: nominated
  • 2016Critics' Choice TV Award-Best Supporting Actor in a Movie Made for Television or Limited Series: nominated
  • 2016Image Award-Outstanding Supporting Actor in a Comedy Series: nominated
  • 2016Image Award-Outstanding Actor in a Television Movie, Mini-Series or Dramatic Special: winner
  • 2017Image Award-Outstanding Supporting Actor in a Comedy Series: nominated
  • 2017The BAM Award-Best Cast: nominated
  • 2020Black Reel-Outstanding Guest Actor, Drama Series: nominated
  • 2020Image Award-Outstanding Guest Performance in a Comedy or Drama Series: nominated
  • 2021Black Reel-Outstanding Supporting Actor, Comedy Series: nominated
  • 2025Black Reel-Outstanding Guest Performance in a Drama Series: nominated
  • 2025Critics Choice Award-Best Actor in a Comedy Series: nominated
  • 2025Vanguard Award-Black Cinema & Television: winner
  • 2025Image Award-Outstanding Supporting Actor in a Motion Picture: nominated
  • 2025Image Award-Outstanding Actor in a Comedy Series: nominated
  • 2026Critics Choice Award-Best Actor in a Comedy Series: nominated