Tommy Davidson

Tommy Davidson was a cast member on the 1990s sketch comedy show 'In Living Color,' alongside Jamie Foxx, Jim Carrey, Jennifer Lopez and Rosie Perez. [www.npr.org] In 2020 Davidson published a memoir titled 'Living In Color: What's Funny About Me.' [www.npr.org] One of his signature sketch-comedy impressions was of MC Hammer; in the interview he also performed impressions of Elton John, Sylvester Stallone and Barack Obama. [www.npr.org] Davidson described how he develops an impression. [www.npr.org] Davidson recalled the cast's anticipation before 'In Living Color' premiered. [www.npr.org] Asked what he would tell an aspiring comedian, Davidson said the following. [www.npr.org] Davidson started his career as a standup comedian in Washington, D.C., and was first booked as an opening act for Patti LaBelle, Kenny G and Luther Vandross. [www.thetommydavidson.com] His film debut was opposite Halle Berry in 'Strictly Business'; other film roles include Spike Lee's 'Bamboozled' (as 'Womack/Sleep 'N Eats'), 'Juwanna Mann,' and a cameo in 'Ace Ventura II: When Nature Calls.' [www.thetommydavidson.com] His visibility on 'In Living Color' led to three Showtime specials — 'On Strength of New York,' 'Illin' in Philly' and 'Takin' it to DC' — plus the special 'Chocolate Sundaes,' which he hosted and starred in. [www.thetommydavidson.com] As a voice artist, he starred in Will Smith's animated series 'Youngin's' and Disney's 'The Proud Family,' and voiced the character 'Cream Corn' in 'Black Dynamite.' [www.thetommydavidson.com] He spent three years hosting ABC's 'Vacation Creation.' [www.thetommydavidson.com] In February 2020 he released the memoir 'Living in Color: What's Funny about Me,' which the site describes as recounting his adoption and upbringing by a Caucasian family in Washington, D.C. during the Civil Rights Movement, and his experience with race in the U.S. [www.thetommydavidson.com] Davidson began performing stand-up in the 1980s, building his act around impressions of entertainers including Al Jarreau, Rick James and Prince. [www.revolt.tv] He won an amateur stand-up competition at the Apollo Theatre before relocating to Los Angeles. [www.revolt.tv] He lived in the same building as fellow comedian Martin Lawrence and performed at Luther Vandross and Anita Baker shows early in his career. [www.revolt.tv] Davidson described his reaction the first time he appeared on camera for 'In Living Color.' [www.revolt.tv] Davidson explained why stand-up remains central to his identity as a performer. [www.revolt.tv]

“I studied Obama... I just watched him, listening to his speeches. And I just start doing it.” [www.npr.org]

“we knew that we were going to change the world.” [www.npr.org]

“I tell them don't hesitate because the only way you're going to see if it's not going to work out is to do it.” [www.npr.org]

“[The] first time I got on camera, I froze because the reality hit me. I had been working all those years and I was finally on TV.” [www.revolt.tv]

“I'm not dependent on anything. It's me, you get my mind, my perspective, I get to take you on a ride, it's an art form.” [www.revolt.tv]