Biography for
David Alan Grier More at IMDbPro »

Date of Birth

30 June 1955, Detroit, Michigan, USA

Nickname

DAG
D.A.G.

Height

6' 1½" (1.87 m)

Mini Biography

David Alan Grier trained in Shakespeare at Yale University, where he received an MFA from the Yale School of Drama.

Grier began his professional career on Broadway as Jackie Robinson in "The First", for which he earned a Tony nomination for Best Featured Actor in a Musical and won the Theatre World Award (1981). He then joined the Broadway 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 titled A Soldier's Story (1984). He appeared in Robert Altman's Streamers (1983) as "Roger", a role for which he won the Golden Lion for Best Actor at the Venice Film Festival (1983).

His television work is highlighted by a turn as a principal cast member on the Emmy Award-winning "In Living Color" (1990) (1990-1994), where he helped to create some of the show's most memorable characters, "DAG" (2000-2001) and "Life with Bonnie" (2002-2004), for which he earned Image and Golden Satellite nominations. David also created, wrote and executive-produced a show for Comedy Central called "Chocolate News" (2008). Grier also won America's votes as a smooth, debonair, and outrageously irreverent contestant on ABC's smash hit, "Dancing with the Stars" (2005/I), in 2009. But Grier didn't hang up his dance shoes just then - he later appeared in the Wayans Brothers' spoof movie, Dance Flick (2009), which hit theaters in May 2009.

In Grier's first book, "Barack Like Me: The Chocolate Covered Truth" (Touchstone / Simon & Schuster; October 6, 2009), the acclaimed comedian expounds on politics, culture and race while recounting his own life story in this edgy, timely, timeless, and hilarious memoir and look at all things Barack Obama.

Grier returned to his theatrical roots 2009/2010; he 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 a Tony Award nomination.

He has been named one of Comedy Central's "100 Greatest Stand-ups of All Time".

IMDb Mini Biography By: David Alan Grier

Spouse

Christine Y. Kim	(29 July 2007 - 18 November 2010) (divorced) 1 child
Maritza Rivera	(1987 - 1997) (divorced)

Trivia

Tony nomination for playing Jackie Robinson in "The First". [1981]

He got off to a very fast start in show biz, moving from Yale Drama School right to a lead role in a Broadway musical "The First". A surprising beginning in a serious, though musical role, considering his impressive comedic talent. Co-starred with Lonette McKee.

MFA - Yale University, School of Drama (1981)

Nominated for Broadway's 1982 Tony Award as Best Actor (Featured Role - Musical) for playing Jackie Robinson in "The First."

He got off to a very fast start in show biz, moving from Yale Drama School right to a lead role in a Broadway musical "The First." A surprising begining in a serious, though musical role, considering his impressive comedic talent. Co-starred with Lonette McKee.

Most frequent guest - often called the "third host" - on Loveline, the humorous syndicated radio call-in show hosted nightly by Drew Pinsky ("Dr. Drew") and Adam Carolla.

Is the oldest host of "Premium Blend" (1997).

Was considered for the role of "George Costanza" on "Seinfeld" (1990).

A graduate of the University of Michigan.

Was a voice actor for National Public Radio's adaptation of Star Wars (1977) in 1980.

His wife, Christine, gave birth to a girl, named Luisa Danbi Grier-Kim, on January 11, 2008 at Los Angeles' Cedars-Sinai Medical Center. His wife is the Associate Curator of the Studio Museum in Harlem.

2010 Tony Award Nomination for Best Featured Actor for his performance in David Mamet's play, "Race".

Where Are They Now

(September 2006) Starring in "The Wiz" at La Jolla Playhouse

(October 2009) Release of his book, "Barack Like Me: The Chocolate-Covered Truth" by David with Alan Eisenstock.