Join us for a 90-minute Career Retrospective of actor David Alan Grier, moderated by Jenelle Riley.

BIO:

David Alan Grier is a versatile American actor and comedian whose career spans theater, television, film, and comedy. He earned a Master of Fine Arts from the Yale School of Drama, where he trained in Shakespearean theater. His notable achievements include a Tony Award, an Outer Critics Circle Award, two NAACP Image Awards, two nominations for a Critics' Choice Television Award and a Grammy Award, along with multiple additional NAACP Image Award and Drama Desk Award nominations throughout his career. In addition to receiving the CCA Vanguard Award for his achievements in Black Television, he also earned a place on Comedy Central’s list of the “100 Greatest Stand-Ups of All Time.”

Grier’s enduring presence in the entertainment industry is highlighted by his range and depth, as he continues to captivate audiences with his humor and nuance in every role. His genuine connection with his audience has only deepened over the years, making him a beloved figure across generations and genres.

Currently starring in the NBC comedy St. Denis Medical, Grier portrays “Dr. Ron,” the seasoned surgeon emeritus, in this mockumentary-style series about an underfunded, understaffed Oregon hospital where the dedicated staff balance treating patients with maintaining their own sanity. Bringing his signature wry humor to the role, Grier leads a talented cast that includes Wendi McLendon-Covey and Allison Tolman.

David Alan Grier’s illustrious television career began as a principal cast member on the Emmy Award-winning show In Living Color, where he created some of the series' most iconic characters, establishing himself as a versatile comedic talent. He went on to star in DAG and Life with Bonnie, earning NAACP Image Award and Golden Satellite Award nominations. Grier hosted Saturday Night Live during Season 21, where his comedic versatility was showcased through various sketches and characters. He further demonstrated his wit and adaptability by creating, writing, and starring in Comedy Central’s Chocolate News. His range was on display again in NBC’s The Wiz Live! where he took on the iconic role of the Cowardly Lion, earning an NAACP Image Award and a Critics’ Choice Award nomination.

He continued his success with a starring role in NBC’s The Carmichael Show, portraying Jerrod Carmichael’s outspoken, contrarian father for three seasons—a performance that earned him an NAACP Image Award nomination for Outstanding Supporting Actor in a Comedy Series. In Queen Sugar, Grier portrayed the complex character of "Jimmy Dale," a role created for him by Ava DuVernay, which garnered him an additional NAACP Award nomination. Grier starred alongside Jamie Foxx in the Netflix comedy series Dad Stop

Embarrassing Me! and later reunited with Foxx in the Netflix feature film They Cloned Tyrone. In 2022, Grier co-starred in the psychological thriller The Patient alongside Steve Carell, bringing compelling depth to his role in this dark, character-driven series.

In 2024, he took on the esteemed role of the “Voice of God” at the Academy Awards. His commanding narration at the Oscars underscored his enduring influence and adaptability in one of the industry’s most celebrated moments.

His impressive Broadway career showcases his seamless ability to transition between comedic and dramatic roles, solidifying his status as a multifaceted performer. 

David Alan Grier, who trained extensively in theater, launched his professional acting career on Broadway in 1981 with his portrayal of Jackie Robinson in The First. His performance earned him a Tony Award nomination for Best Featured Actor in a Musical, the Theatre World Award, and a Drama Desk Award nomination for Outstanding Featured Actor in a Musical. Following this success, Grier joined the original Broadway cast of Dreamgirls, where he further showcased his versatility as a performer in one of the most iconic musicals of the time.

Over the decades, Grier continued to receive significant recognition for his work on Broadway, reinforcing his reputation as a versatile and dynamic stage actor. His numerous accolades underscore his enduring influence in the theater world and his remarkable versatility on the New York stage. He received a second Tony nomination in 2010 for his role in David Mamet’s Race, followed by a third Tony nomination and a second Drama Desk nomination in 2012 for his role as Sporting Life in The Gershwins’ Porgy and Bess. In 2013, he received his first Grammy nomination when the cast recording of The Gershwins’ Porgy and Bess was nominated for Best Musical Theater Album.

In 2020, David Alan Grier’s dedication and talent were honored with a Tony Award for Best Featured Actor in a Play for his role as Sergeant Vernon Waters in A Soldier’s Play. This achievement crowned his Broadway career, solidifying his status as a respected and multifaceted performer known for his depth and range. Notably, Grier originally starred as Private C.J. Memphis in the 1981 stage production of A Soldier’s Play and reprised this role in the 1984 film adaptation, A Soldier’s Story. In the Broadway revival, he returned to the play as Sergeant Vernon Waters—a portrayal that earned him his Tony Award. Grier will also executive-produce and star in a limited series adaptation by Sony Pictures Television, which will be titled A Soldier’s Story.

Grier’s recent film work includes roles in high-profile projects such as The Color Purple (2023), directed by Blitz Bazawule and produced by Steven Spielberg, the satirical drama The American Society of Magical Negroes, produced by Focus Features, and the Netflix Christmas film Candy Cane Lane alongside Eddie Murphy. These roles further highlight Grier's range, allowing him to bring depth and nuance to both dramatic and comedic storytelling. He has appeared in numerous films, including Netflix’s Coffee and Kareem, The Big Sick, Arizona, Peeples, A24’s Native Son, Sprinter, and Clifford, The Big Red Dog. Grier notably starred in Jumanji in 1995 and made his film debut in Robert Altman’s Streamers in 1983, for which he won the Golden Lion for Best Actor at the Venice Film Festival. His success across these varied mediums reflects his inherent comic timing and creative drive. 

Grier is managed by Activist Artists Management and is represented by the Innovative Artists Agency. His press agent is Michelle Bega at Asylum Inc.