Donnell Rawlings

Donnell Rawlings is a comedian, actor and radio host best known from Chappelle's Show and The Wire. [en.wikipedia.org] He was born in Washington, D.C. and raised in Alexandria, Virginia. [en.wikipedia.org] He served in the Air Force, stationed in South Korea and at Bolling Air Force Base, before comedy. [en.wikipedia.org] He hosted the third season of Chappelle's Show with Charlie Murphy, and the catchphrase from his sketches closes every episode. [en.wikipedia.org] His first solo Netflix special, produced by Dave Chappelle, was filmed at the New York Comedy Festival and premiered in February 2024. [variety.com] Variety summarises his screen work as Ashy Larry on Chappelle's Show, Day-Day on The Wire, and Dez in Pixar's Soul. [variety.com] He came close to the role of Omar on The Wire, which went to Michael K. Williams. [www.dallasobserver.com] He says a one-sentence pitch taught him how to write for sketch. [www.dallasobserver.com]

“Donnell Maurice Rawlings (born December 6, 1968) is an American comedian, actor, and radio host. He is best known as a cast member on the Comedy Central sketch comedy TV series Chappelle's Show and the HBO drama The Wire.” [en.wikipedia.org]

“Donnell Rawlings was born in Washington, D.C., and grew up in Alexandria, Virginia, with his mother. He attended T.C. Williams High School in Alexandria.” [en.wikipedia.org]

“Rawlings served in the United States Air Force. He was stationed in South Korea and at Bolling Air Force Base in Washington, D.C., in the late 1980s and early 1990s.” [en.wikipedia.org]

“Rawlings is most notable for frequently appearing in sketches on Chappelle's Show and hosting the third season along with Charlie Murphy.” [en.wikipedia.org]

“Directed by Emmy and Grammy award winner Stan Lathan, the special was filmed at the Hard Rock Hotel in New York City during the New York Comedy Festival in November.” [variety.com]

“Rawlings was previously seen in sketches as "Ashy Larry" on "Chappelle's Show." He also appeared as Damien "Day-Day" Price on HBO's "The Wire," and he also starred as Dez in the animated Pixar film "Soul."” [variety.com]

“"Originally on The Wire , the role of Omar [played by Michael Kenneth Williams] came down to me and Mike for Omar," Rawlings says.” [www.dallasobserver.com]

“"For some reason, I said this motherfucker looks like David Chappelle," Rawlings says. "David Chappelle is a black Gallagher. That's all I said. Other times, I took hours to do a pitch but this was just one goddamn sentence. It taught me a lesson, like keep it short, sweet and trim the fat off of it."” [www.dallasobserver.com]