David Alan Grier
Latest News on David Alan Grier
Date of Birth:
June 30, 1955 (66)
Birth Place: Detroit, MI, USA
Bio:
Countless theater, television, film and comedic endeavors have pushed David Alan Grier's career to remarkable heights and his ability to excel across all mediums and contexts is a testament to his inherent sense of comic timing and creative drive. The three-time Tony and GRAMMY Award nominee was ...
(read complete bio)
|
Latest News on David Alan Grier
Stage Credits
Photos
Stage
PerformancesDavid Alan Grier Biography
Countless theater, television, film and comedic endeavors have pushed David Alan Grier's career to remarkable heights and his ability to excel across all mediums and contexts is a testament to his inherent sense of comic timing and creative drive. The three-time Tony and GRAMMY Award nominee was trained in Shakespeare at Yale where he received an MFA from the Yale School of Drama. Grier has enjoyed many accolades and awards throughout his career, not the least of which was his inclusion on Comedy Central's list of the "100 Greatest Stand-Ups of All Time."On the big screen, David Alan Grier was recently seen starring in PEEPLES, produced by Tyler Perry, opposite Kerry Washington and Craig Robinson. Grier made his film debut in STREAMERS (1983), directed by Robert Altman for which he won the Golden Lion for Best Actor at the Venice Film Festival. He also appeared in the Wayans Brothers' spoof movie DANCE FLICK (2009).
Grier's television work is highlighted by a turn as principal cast member on the Emmy Award winning In Living Color (1990-1994) where he helped to create some of the show's most memorable characters, DAG (2000-2001) and Life with Bonnie (2003) which earned an Image and Golden Satellite nomination. David created, wrote and executive produced a show for Comedy Central called Chocolate News (2008). Last fall, David starred in THE WATSONS GO TO BIRMINGHAM, a Hallmark Channel adaptation of Paul Curtis' 1996 Newbery Award-winning novel by the same name. Grier recently wrapped shooting a starring role as 'Principal Carl Gaines' in a new series for CBS, Bad Teacher.
Grier began his professional career on Broadway as Jackie Robinson in The First, for which he earned a Tony Award nomination for Best Featured Actor in a Musical and won the Theatre World Award (1981). He then joined the cast of Dreamgirls before going on to star opposite Denzel Washington in A Soldier's Play, for which both actors reprised their roles in the film adaptation, A SOLDIER'S STORY (1984).
In 2009/2010 Grier starred in David Mamet's acclaimed play RACE opposite James Spader and Kerry Washington at the Ethel Barrymore Theatre on Broadway for which he received his second Tony Award nomination. Grier received the third Tony Award nomination of his career in 2012 for his performance in the "stand-out role of the rakish, drug-dealing Sporting Life" (NY Times) in The Gershwin's Porgy & Bess. Grier received his first GRAMMY nomination when the cast recording of The Gershwin's Porgy & Bess received a 2013 GRAMMY Award nomination for Best Musical Theater Album.
David Alan Grier Awards and Nominations
Drama Desk Awards - 2020 - Outstanding Featured Actor in a Play | ||
David Alan Grier, A Soldier's Play | ||
Drama League Awards - 2020 - Distinguished Performance Award | ||
David Alan Grier, A Soldier’s Play | ||
Outer Critics Circle Awards - 2020 - Outstanding Featured Actor in a Play ![]() |
||
David Alan Grier, A Soldier's Play | ||
Tony Awards - 2020 - Best Performance by an Actor in a Featured Role in a Play ![]() |
||
David Alan Grier, A Soldier's Play | ||
Tony Awards - 2012 - Best Performance by an Actor in a Featured Role in a Musical | ||
David Alan Grier, The Gershwins' Porgy and Bess | ||
Tony Awards - 2010 - Best Performance by an Actor in a Featured Role in a Play | ||
David Alan Grier, Race | ||
Theatre World Awards - 1982 - Performance ![]() |
||
David Alan Grier, The First | ||
Tony Awards - 1982 - Best Performance by an Actor in a Featured Role in a Musical | ||
David Alan Grier, The First |
David Alan Grier News

by Bruce Glikas - Jun 12, 2022
We're taking you to the red carpet for a look at all of the stars (and what they're wearing) at them 2022 Tony Awards!

by Team BWW - Jun 11, 2022
The 75th Annual Tony Awards are back this year at Radio City Music Hall to celebrate the best of Broadway for the 2021/22 theatre season. Need a refresher on how to watch and when? We've got you covered!

by Michael Major - Jun 9, 2022
Find out what shows and stars are performing at this year's 2022 Tony Awards!

by Nicole Rosky - Jun 7, 2022
The biggest stars from stage and screen are set to take the stage at the legendary Radio City Music Hall in New York City to celebrate the 75th Annual Tony Awards. Find out who will appear on the broadcast including past-winners and more.

by Chloe Rabinowitz - Jun 2, 2022
Due to rehearsal schedule changes, The Public Theater's Free Shakespeare in the Park production of RICHARD III at The Delacorte Theater is delaying its first preview to Tuesday, June 21st. Get the full schedule for the show here.

by Michael Major - May 24, 2022
A&E Network will premiere the new two-part documentary event “Right to Offend: The Black Comedy Revolution” exploring the progression of Black comedy and the comedians who have used pointed humor to expose, challenge and ridicule society’s injustices and to articulate the Black experience in America.

by Michael Major - May 17, 2022
Michael Che teams up with an ensemble of fan-favorite returning guests and comedy icons including Wayne Brady, Reggie Conquest, Ziwe Fumudoh, Heidi Gardner, Charlamagne tha God, David Alan Grier, Sam Jay, Colin Jost, Lori Laing, Tim Meadows, Questlove, Sam Richardson, Amy Schumer, Kenan Thompson, among others.

by Marissa Tomeo - May 12, 2022
Eddie Murphy’s portrayal of hotshot advertising executive Marcus Graham made BOOMERANG a hit when it was first released in theaters on July 1, 1992. Featuring an all-star cast that includes Robin Givens, Halle Berry, David Alan Grier, Martin Lawrence, Grace Jones, Geoffrey Holder, and Eartha Kitt, Chris Rock, John Witherspoon, Tisha Campbell, and Melvin Van Peebles, this celebrated comedy was ahead of its time in playfully challenging stereotypes. The movie’s hit soundtrack, featuring Babyface, Toni Braxton, and Boyz II Men, topped the Billboard charts and earned triple platinum status.

by Michael Major - May 7, 2022
The musical, featuring jazz, ragtime, gospel, blues and African rhythms, has a book by Marsha Norman with music by Brenda Russell, Allee Willis and Stephen Bray. The film, directed by Blitz Bazawule, will star Fantasia Barrino, Taraji P. Henson, Danielle Brooks, Corey Hawkins, H.E.R., Colman Domingo, Halle Bailey, Ciara, and more.

by Stephi Wild - Apr 27, 2022
Three new faces have been added to the cast of the upcoming film adaptation of The Color Purple. Terrence J. Smith will take on the role of 'Adam', Tiffany Elle Burgess will play 'Olivia', and Aba Arthur will also join the cast.
David Alan Grier Videos

by Stage Tube - Apr 6, 2021
DAG talks about his quarantine outfit, staying home, being in a bubble with his family, losing weight on the Jenny Craig diet, cast-members on “In Living Color” playing pranks on him, playing Jamie Foxx’s father on their new Netflix show “Dad Stop Embarrassing Me,” meeting Jamie for the first time, and Jimmy’s parents coming to his shows and feeding him leftovers.

by Stage Tube - Apr 1, 2021
Foxx won an Academy Award for Best Actor, BAFTA Award for Best Actor in a Leading Role, and Golden Globe Award for Best Actor in a Musical or Comedy.

by BroadwayWorld TV - Jun 11, 2020
Today we rewind to 2009, when Encores! presented the musical starring James Monroe Iglehart, Joshua Henry, LaChanze, Ashanti and more. Watch as we take you inside rehearsals with the cast!

by BroadwayWorld TV - Jun 12, 2020
Today we rewind to summer 2015, just after Williams learned that she got the part. Watch as she gets ready to take center stage as Dorothy.

by Stage Tube - Mar 24, 2020
Jerry O'Connell was a guest on Tuesday, March 24's episode of Live with Kelly and Ryan. O'Connell Skyped in from his home to talk with hosts Kelly Ripa and Ryan Seacrest.

by Stage Tube - Jan 24, 2020
The star of 'The Soldier's Play' on Broadway, David Alan Grier, points out that he was in the play's original cast in 1981 alongside such future superstars as Denzel Washington and Samuel L. Jackson.

by TV - Opening Night Special - Jan 22, 2020
The American Airlines Theatre was the place to be last night as Charles Fuller's A Soldier's Play finally opened last night on Broadway, almost four decades after it premiered off Broadway. 'The reason I wanted to do it was to get to speak these words that Charles Fuller wrote. We get to mine and uncover themes of racism, identity, love of country, an hatred of self,' says leading man Blair Underwood. 'To be able to do that in such an incredible play, that has won a Pulitzer for a good reason... it's exciting every night.'

by BroadwayWorld TV - Jan 21, 2020
With David Alan Grier making his official return to Broadway tonight as Sergeant Vernon C. Waters in Roundabout Theatre Company's A Soldier's Play, we're looking back at his Tony-nominated turn as Sportin' Life in 2012's Tony-nominated production of The Gershwin's Porgy and Bess on the show's opening night. Check out the video to see Grier alongside Audra McDonald, Norm Lewis, Phillip Boykin, Joshua Henry, and more as they celebrate the special night!

by Stage Tube - Jan 20, 2020
David Alan Grier was a guest on Monday's episode of Live with Kelly and Ryan to talk about starring in A Soldier's Play on Broadway. During the interview, Grier talks about how this is his third round with the show, as he previously starred in the off-Broadway production and the film adaptation.

by BroadwayWorld TV - Jan 14, 2020
Previews are underway for A Soldier's Play, which opens officially on January 21, 2020. This is a limited engagement at the American Airlines Theatre on Broadway (227 West 42nd Street).