David Alan Grier Headshot

David Alan Grier

Date of Birth: June 30, 1955 (67)

Birth Place: Detroit, MI, USA

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David Alan Grier 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 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 Photos

David Alan Grier STAGE CREDITS

[Broadway]
Roundabout Theatre Company's Original Broadway Production, 2020
Sergeant Vernon C. Waters

[Los Angeles]
Hollywood Bowl Production, 2018
Daddy Warbucks

[Motion Picture]
FOX Live Televised Production, 2017
Santa Claus

[New York]
NBC Live Television Production, 2015
Cowardly Lion

[Broadway]
Broadway Revival, 2012
Sportin' Life

[Broadway]
Original Broadway Production, 2009
Henry Brown

[San Diego, CA (Regional)]
La Jolla Revival, 2006
The Wiz

[Broadway]
Closed on the road, 2005
Fernando Perez

[Broadway]
Broadway Revival, 1996
Prologus [Replacement]

Pseudolus [Replacement]

[Off-Broadway]
Encores! Concert, 1996
Whitelaw Savory

[Off-Broadway]
1996
Whitelaw Savory

[Off-Broadway]
1994
Master Frank Ford

[Off-Broadway]
1983
Murderer/Richmond

[Broadway]
Original Broadway Production, 1981
James Thunder Early [Replacement]

[Broadway]
Original Broadway Production, 1981
Jackie Robinson


David Alan Grier Movies

[1983]Streamers Roger

[1984]A Soldier's Story Corporal Cobb

[1985]Beer Elliott Morrison

[1987]From the Hip Steve Hadley

[1988]Off Limits Rogers

[1988]Me and Him Peter Conklin

[1988]I'm Gonna Git You Sucka Newsman

[1990]Loose Cannons Drummond

[1990]Almost an Angel Det. Bill

[1992]Boomerang Gerard

[1992]The Player David Alan Grier

[1994]In the Army Now Fred Ostroff

[1994]Blankman Kevin Walker

[1995]Tales from the Hood Carl

[1995]Goldilocks and the Three Bears Spike

[1995]Jumanji Bentley

[1997]Top of the World Detective Augustus

[1997]McHale's Navy Ensign Charles Parker

[1999]Stuart Little Red

[1999]Freeway II: Confessions of a Trickbaby Mr. Butz

[2000]3 Strikes Detective Jenkins

[2000]Return to Me Charlie Johnson

[2000]East of A Brother James

[2000]The Adventures of Rocky & Bullwinkle Meures

[2001]15 Minutes Mugger in Central Park

[2001]I Shaved My Legs for This Strip Club Owner

[2002]Tiptoes Jerry Robin Jr.

[2003]Baadasssss! Clyde Houston

[2004]The Woodsman Bob

[2005]Bewitched Jim Fields

[2006]Little Man Jimmy

[2008]An American Carol Rtus Malone

[2008]Kissing Cousins The Griller

[2008]The Hustle Rev. Isaac Montgomery Paid

[2008]The Poker House Stymie

[2009]Dance Flick Sugar Bear

[2009]Astro Boy Mr. Squirt, Math Cowboy, Boxer Robot

[2010]Something Like a Business 3D

[2011]Hoodwinked 2: Hood vs. Evil Moss the Troll

[2013]Peeples Virgil Peeples

[2015]Road Hard Michael Gerard

[2017]The Big Sick Andy Dodd

[2018]Arizona Coburn

[2018]Sprinter Coach

[2019]Native Son Marty

[2020]Coffee & Kareem Captain Hill

[2021]Clifford the Big Red Dog Packard

[2023]The Color Purple Rev. Avery


David Alan Grier TV Shows

A Black Lady Sketch Show Preacher, Pastor

Comedy Bang! Bang! Network President

Crank Yankers Landanlius 'The Truth' Truefeld, Danny, Stompie

DAG Jerome Daggett

Happily Ever After: Fairy Tales for Every Child King Maynar, Dudley Bear, Bongo

In Living Color Antoine Mayweather, Reginald McCort

Life with Bonnie David Bellows, Jazz Moe

Martin Rev. Leon Lonnie Love

My Wife and Kids Jimmy

The Carmichael Show Joe Carmichael

The Cool Kids Hank

David Alan Grier Videos

David Alan Grier News

Video: Watch THE COLOR PURPLE Movie Musical Trailer With Fantasia Barrino, Halle Bailey & More

The first teaser trailer for the new movie musical adaptation of The Color Purple has been released. Get a first look at Fantasia Barrino, Halle Bailey, Danielle Brooks, Taraji P. Henson, and more in the new video trailer now! The film is directed by Blitz Bazawule and produced Oprah Winfrey.

Photos: Inside THE COLOR PURPLE Movie Musical CinemaCon Presentation

Oprah Winfrey presented a first look at the upcoming movie musical adaptation of The Color Purple at CinemaCon yesterday. Winfrey was joined by director Blitz Bazawule and stars Taraji P. Henson, Danielle Brooks, and Fantasia Barrino. Check out photos from inside the presentation now!

Oprah Debuts First Footage of THE COLOR PURPLE Movie Musical at CinemaCon

Fantasia Barrino leads the cast of the film as Celie. Danielle Brooks will reprise her Tony-nominated performance as Sofia, which we played in the musical's 2016 revival. Taraji P. Henson is slated to play Shug Avery. The cast also includes Halle Bailey, Colman Domingo, H.E.R., Ciara, Jon Batiste, and more. Check out a photo of the first poster!

THE COLOR PURPLE Movie Musical Shifts Release Date to Christmas Day

As BroadwayWorld previously announced, a movie musical film adaptation of Alice Walker's The Color Purple will premiere later this year. The film, previously set to come to cinemas on December 20, has now shifted its opening day to Christmas Day, December 25.

La celebración del 30 Aniversario de LA BELLA Y LA BESTIA ya en Disney+

Protagonizado por H.E.R. como Bella, Josh Groban como Bestia, Joshua Henry como Gaston y Rita Moreno como narradora.

A Guide to Broadway Guest Stars on BLUE BLOODS

While the series' recurring cast includes Tom Selleck, Bridget Moynahan, Donnie Wahlberg, and more, guest stars have included Audra McDonald, Kelli O'Hara, Joanna Gleason, Adrienne Warren, Jinkx Monsoon, Norm Lewis, Norbert Leo Butz, and more. Check out a list of Broadway guest stars on Blue Bloods now!

Television Academy Foundation Announces New Board Members

The Television Academy Foundation has named four new members to its board of directors: Scott Evans, entertainment journalist, television personality and host of Access Hollywood; Alix Jaffe, executive vice president, television, at Village Roadshow Entertainment Group; Paula Williams Madison, and more.

SF SKETCHFEST Comdy Festival Announces Seven Livestream Events For 20th Anniversary Festival

While the highly anticipated in-person return of SF Sketchfest brings over 200 shows to venues across the city, for the first time ever, SF Sketchfest will be making its special programming accessible to audiences around the world with livestream viewing available for select festival events.

VIDEO: Danielle Brooks Tried to Get Her Daughter In THE COLOR PURPLE Movie Musical

Danielle Brooks appeared on Late Night With Seth Meyers last night to discuss starring in The Piano Lesson and filming the movie musical adaptation of The Color Purple. During the interview, Brooks revealed that she tried to get her daughter to film a scene in The Color Purple movie but it ended up being an 'epic fail.' Watch the video now!

VIDEO: Watch Josh Groban Perform 'Evermore' From BEAUTY & THE BEAST: A 30TH CELEBRATION

Josh Groban has released the video of his performance of 'Evermore' from Beauty & the Beast: A 30th Celebration on ABC. Joining Groban in the special is H.E.R. as Belle, Rita Moreno as the narrator, Joshua Henry as Gaston, Martin Short as Lumière, David Alan Grier as Cogsworth, Jon Jon Briones as Maurice, Shania Twain as Mrs. Potts, and more.

Review Roundup: BEAUTY & THE BEAST: A 30th CELEBRATION Premieres on ABC

Last night, ABC celebrated 30 years of Beauty & the Beast with a special live action/animated hybrid special. With the special now available to stream on Disney+ and Hulu, check out what critics thought of the new special!

BEAUTY & THE BEAST: A 30TH CELEBRATION Scores 4 Million Viewers

ABC's Beauty & the Beast: A 30th Celebration scored 4.5 million viewers, leading in Thursday night television ratings. The presentation starred H.E.R., Josh Groban, Rita Moreno, Shania Twain, Joshua Henry, Martin Short, David Alan Grier, and more. See how the special compared to past television musicals!

Photos: Paige O'Hara, Alan Menken & More Appear in BEAUTY & THE BEAST: A 30TH CELEBRATION

ABC's Beauty & the Beast: A 30th Celebration featured an appearance by the original voice of Belle, Paige O'Hara, and the musical's composer, Alan Menken. Viewers were also treated to Shania Twain performing a stirring rendition of 'Beauty and the Beast' in honor of Angela Lansbury. Check out photos from the special now!

VIDEOS: Watch BEAUTY & THE BEAST: A 30TH CELEBRATION Musical Numbers

Watch videos of the musical numbers from Beauty & the Beast: A 30th Celebration, including an introduction by Rita Moreno, plus Martin Short in 'Be Our Guest,' Joshua Henry in 'Gaston,' David Alan Grier in 'Something There,' Shania Twain singing 'Beauty and the Beast,' and a special finale performance by H.E.R., Josh Groban, and the entire cast.

Listen: BEAUTY & THE BEAST: A 30TH CELEBRATION Soundtrack Out Now

The soundtrack for ABC's Beauty & the Beast: A 30th Celebration has been released! Listen to all thirteen tracks from the upcoming Disney special, which includes classics like 'Be Our Guest,' 'Something There,' and 'Belle,' plus new songs like 'Evermore,' sung by H.E.R., Joshua Henry, Josh Groban, Martin Short, Shania Twain, and more.

Wake Up With BWW 12/15: SWEENEY TODD Casting, Inside the CHESS Concert, and More!

Top stories include full principal casting for Sweeney Todd, which will star Jordan Fisher, Ruthie Ann Miles, Gaten Matarazzo and more! Plus, go inside The Entertainment Community Fund's one-night-only benefit concert of the legendary musical Chess.

VIDEO: Josh Groban Reveals His BEAUTY & THE BEAST Puppet Costume

Josh Groban has revealed a first look at his Beast costume for the Beauty & the Beast: A 30th Celebration on ABC. Check out a video of Groban and the giant puppet in action now, including footage of his first time seeing it. Groban is joined by H.E.R., Joshua Henry, Shania Twain, Rita Moreno, Martin Short, and David Alan Grier in the special.

Photos: Joshua Henry, Josh Groban & More Attend BEAUTY & THE BEAST: A 30TH CELEBRATION Preview Event

The stars and creative team behind ABC’s “Beauty and the Beast: A 30th Celebration” came together for a VIP presentation and celebration of the enchanting special in Los Angeles on Tuesday, Dec. 13. Check out photos of H.E.R., Joshua Henry, Josh Groban, Rita Moreno, David Alan Grier, Jon Jon Briones, and more.

VIDEO: First Look at 'Belle' & 'Be Our Guest' In New BEAUTY & THE BEAST: A 30TH CELEBRATION Featurette

ABC has released a new Beauty & the Beast: A 30th Anniversary featurette, featuring a first look at the making of musical numbers 'Belle' and 'Be Our Guest.' The new featurette also reveals that Beauty & the Beast composer Alan Menken will be appearing in the special, plus a first look at H.E.R.'s iconic yellow Belle dress. Watch the new video now!

David Alan Grier FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

David Alan Grier has appeared on Broadway in 7 shows.

David Alan Grier has not appeared in the West End

Outstanding Featured Actor in a Play (Drama Desk Awards) for A Soldier's Play , Distinguished Performance Award (Drama League Awards) for A Soldier’s Play , Outstanding Featured Actor in a Play (Outer Critics Circle Awards) for A Soldier's Play , Best Performance by an Actor in a Featured Role in a Play (Tony Awards) for A Soldier's Play , Best Performance by an Actor in a Featured Role in a Musical (Tony Awards) for The Gershwins' Porgy and Bess , Best Performance by an Actor in a Featured Role in a Play (Tony Awards) for Race Performance (Theatre World Awards) for The First and Best Performance by an Actor in a Featured Role in a Musical (Tony Awards) for The First .

Outstanding Featured Actor in a Play (Outer Critics Circle Awards) for A Soldier's Play Best Performance by an Actor in a Featured Role in a Play (Tony Awards) for A Soldier's Playand Performance (Theatre World Awards) for The First.

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