Tommy Davidson has had an impressive and varied career since rising to fame as one of the original cast members on the hit 1990s sketch comedy series In Living Color. Though best known as an actor and comedian, Davidson has also proven himself as an accomplished singer, dancer, writer, and producer over the past three decades.
Acting Career
After getting his big break on In Living Color, Davidson went on to act in a number of popular films and TV shows. Some of his most notable roles include:
- Oscar Sims in the 1993 basketball comedy CB4
- Ray Wilkins in the 1994 political comedy Black Sheep
- Marlowe Pipkin in the 2001 stoner comedy Half Baked
- Wilt Chamberlain in the 2002 basketball comedy Juwanna Mann
- Bootsy Collins in the 2004 Ray Charles biopic Ray
- Sugar Bear in the 2005 romantic comedy Lilies of the Field
- Pineapple in the 2007 Latino crime thriller Illegal Tender
- Floyd Henderson in the 2012-2015 sitcom The Rickey Smiley Show
In recent years, Davidson has continued to take on acting roles in films and television. Some projects he has been involved with since 2015 include:
| Year | Project | Role |
|---|---|---|
| 2015 | The Grinder | Rodney Evans |
| 2016 | Meet the Blacks | Glen |
| 2016-2019 | Black-ish | Mike |
| 2017 | Premium Rush | Nojay |
| 2018 | Superstition | Mario Van Peebles |
| 2019 | Dolemite Is My Name | Sammy Davis Jr. |
Davidson continues to take on film and television roles that allow him to showcase his comedic talents and versatility as an actor.
Stand-Up Comedy
Though acting has been a major focus, Davidson has always stayed connected to his stand-up comedy roots as well. He has performed numerous stand-up specials over the years, including:
- On Strength and Loyalty (2007)
- Illin in Philly (2010)
- Beta Male (2013)
- Goin’ Native: Live from Los Angeles (2013)
- On the Strength of New York (2016)
Davidson has also been on several stand-up comedy tours as a headliner or featuring act. His irreverent, high-energy comedy sets are popular draws at comedy clubs, casinos, and theaters across the country.
In 2017, Davidson was a contestant on season 8 of Comedy Central’s stand-up competition series Roast Battle. Though he did not win the season, his appearances demonstrated his quick wit and comfort on stage.
Davidson continues to perform stand-up shows when his busy acting schedule allows. Fans can keep an eye on his website and social media pages for announcements of upcoming tour dates and comedy performances.
Other Ventures
In addition to acting and comedy, Davidson has explored other creative and business pursuits over the course of his multi-faceted career, including:
- Music – Davidson released a rap album titled Tommy Goin’ Berserk in 2004. He has also been featured as a guest vocalist on songs by other artists.
- Dancing – Trained in ballet as a youth, Davidson appeared on the MTV dance competition Celebrity Breaks in 2002.
- Writing – Davidson co-wrote and starred in the semi-autobiographical 1993 film Robin Harris Story.
- Producing – Davidson was executive producer for Robin Harris Story and the stand-up special Illin in Philly.
- Voice acting – Davidson has voiced characters on animated shows like The Proud Family and Black Dynamite.
Davidson also makes frequent appearances at casinos, comedy clubs, corporate events, college campuses, and other venues as a host, guest speaker, or performer.
Personal Life
Davidson keeps his personal life relatively private. However, some details are known:
- He was born November 19, 1963 in Bronx, New York.
- He got his start performing stand-up on a dare while serving in the military.
- He is the adoptive father of daughters Savannah and Hannah.
- His sister Steen Davidson Sanford is a psychologist.
- He practices Transcendental Meditation and credits it with helping manage addiction.
Davidson spends much of his free time with his daughters and focuses on his health and wellness. He has been candid about past struggles with alcohol and drug addiction.
What’s Next
As he looks to the future, Tommy Davidson shows no signs of slowing down. He continues to take on acting roles, perform stand-up comedy, and pursue new creative endeavors.
Davidson can currently be seen starring as Percy Johnson on the popular horror streaming series Chucky. The show was recently renewed for a second season, so fans can look forward to more of Davidson’s comedic hijinks when new episodes arrive.
Davidson also plans to get back on the road in 2023 for a new stand-up tour. Details are still being finalized, but the tour will likely hit major markets across the US. Make sure to follow Tommy on social media for tour announcements coming soon.
With his immense talents and work ethic, Tommy Davidson will undoubtedly continue to entertain audiences through acting, comedy, and a variety of creative projects for years to come.