David Alan Grier Movies
David Alan Grier may be best known as a dexterous TV comedy star, but he is also a multi-talented veteran of musicals, plays, and numerous films. Born in Detroit, Grier graduated with a B.A. in radio, TV, and film from the University of Michigan. Shortly after earning his master's degree at the Yale School of Drama, Grier made his Tony award-nominated Broadway debut in 1981, starring in the musical The First. Along with a stint in the hit musical Dreamgirls, Grier also did Shakespeare and acted in the off-Broadway drama A Soldier's Play. Moving to film, Grier earned the Venice Film Festival's Best Actor prize for his first feature, Robert Altman's Streamers (1983). Grier was subsequently one of several cast members to make the transition from stage to screen when A Soldier's Play was adapted into the critically lauded, Best Picture nominee A Soldier's Story (1984). Grier moved to lighter cinematic fare with a starring role in the advertising parody Beer (1985) and appeared in a series of undistinguished films, including From the Hip (1986) and Almost an Angel (1990).Grier's brief role in Keenen Ivory Wayans' dead-on blaxploitation spoof I'm Gonna Git You Sucka! (1988), however, turned into an even more fruitful collaboration when Wayans cast Grier in his comedy sketch show In Living Color. Throughout In Living Color's 1990-1994 run, Grier created some of the show's most memorable characters, including flamboyant, circle-snapping critic Antoine Merriweather of "Men On. . ." Grier maintained his film career by appearing as himself in Altman's Hollywood satire The Player (1992) and co-starring in the Eddie Murphy vehicle Boomerang (1992), as well as Damon Wayans' superhero spoof Blankman (1994). After the show ended, Grier continued to alternate between TV and films, executive producing and starring in the short-lived series The Preston Chronicles (1995), as well as appearing in the Robin Williams hit Jumanji (1995). Grier re-teamed with his "Men On" cohort Damon Wayans for the latter's 1998 sitcom Damon, but it failed to match In Living Color's popularity. Grier notched a ratings hit, and got to display his dramatic chops with his performance as a Black Panther in the miniseries The 60s (1999). After appearing in the lackluster Rocky and Bullwinkle (2000) and Return to Me (2000), Grier took another shot at sitcom success as the title Secret Serviceman in DAG (2000). He subsequently tried starring in a number of sitcoms that failed to take off, but always found consistent supporting work, with recurring roles on Life with Bonnie, Crank Yankers, and in several feature films.
Grier also returned to the stage in A Funny Thing Happened on the Way to the Forum, and in 2008, he was given his own show, a no-holds-barred mock-news program in the style of the Daily Show called Chocolate News, which presented both real and fictional news stories from an African American perspective. ~ Lucia Bozzola, All Movie Guide
- 2008
The newest nerd in school joins forces with the one-time Olympic hopeful whose failure at the Seoul Games made all of America cringe in this Nichelodeon Original Movie. Try as he might, there's just no disguising the fact that Hamm Lake Middle School's newest arrival won't be scoring any winning touchdowns in the near future; not only is Roland (Nathan Kress) hopelessly inept when it comes to sports, but he can usually be found somewhere in a corner with his nose buried in a book. Enter beloved Hamm Lake Middle School gym teacher Dave Stewie (Christopher Meloni). Dave represented his country at the 1988 Summer Olympics in Seoul, though his disastrous vault went on to become one of the greatest bloopers in sports history. Now, the National Gym Class Fitness Competition is fast closing in, and Dave is catching heat from the principal (Amy Sedaris) to whip the students into shape. Could Roland be just the kind of underdog Dave needs to lead his school to victory at the National Gym Class Fitness Competition? As Roland and Dave get busy training, a devious gym teacher (David Alan Grier) at a rival school plots subterfuge from afar. ~ Jason Buchanan, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Nathan Kress, Christopher Meloni, (more)
- 2008
Comedy vet and former In Living Color star David Alan Grier hosts this nightly dose of brutal, hot-button satire, tackling racially charged issues in a Daily Show style "fake news" format. Delivering every headline/punchline with the deadpan seriousness of a stately, buttoned-up news anchor, Grier addresses any topic dealing with race, prejudice, and the black community, unapologetically going for the laughs no matter how taboo the issue at hand. ~ Cammila Albertson, All Movie Guide
A successful 80s music producer turned wealthy stockbroker is drawn out of is longtime funk by a classically trained dancer who reignites his passion in life in director Fred Williamson's gritty psychological drama. Ricardo French (Richard Brooks) has long fallen out of the limelight. His days as a flashy musical producer are but a distant memory, and these days recovering alcoholic Ricardo directs most of his energy into staying sober. Richard has grown detached, but that all starts to change when he meets Lexie (Cindy Herron Braggs). Lexie is a classically trained dancer who has been forced into servitude for shady nightclub owner Rashid (Ice-T). The moment Richard sees Lexie take the stage, he's inspired again. Not only does he go back to writing music, but he makes it his mission to prove that he can still pen an undisputed hit. Yet as Richard makes his way back to the top, Lexie is being pulled beneath the undertow by the abusive ex-husband who's threatening to take her daughter away. Will these two lost souls be able to meet on a common ground, or are they destined to remain two passing ships in the night? ~ Jason Buchanan, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Richard Brooks, Ice-T, (more)
- 2007
The NBC comedy-"reality" series Thank God You're Here originated as an Australian series of the same name, hosted by Shane Bourne. The American version, hosted by David Allan Grier, followed the format of the original virtually to the letter. In each hour-long episode, four celebrities were thrust into the middle of four different, unscripted comedy sketches. The celebrities would know nothing about the plotline of the sketch, why they were there, or even what character they were supposed to be playing! All anyone could be sure of was that, once the celebrity walked through the door, he or she would be greeted with the cue line "Thank God you're here!" The ensuing improvisations--which ranged from hilarious to desperate--would be reviewed by judge Dave Foley. Among the series' guest performers were Jennifer Coolidge, Kevin Nealon, Kurtwood Smith, Jason Alexander, Tom Green, Fran Drescher, Fred Willard, Mo'nique, and Nicole Sullivan. The NBC version of Thank God You're Here premiered April 9, 2007. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- David Alan Grier, Dave Foley, (more)
L. Frank Baum's enduring fantasy story gets a new and very funny spin in this made-for-TV comedy. Dorothy (Ashanti) is a young woman who works in a diner in Kansas owned by her Aunt Em (Queen Latifah) and dreams of one day making it big as a singer. When a tornado makes its way through the trailer park Dorothy and Em call home, the young woman is spirited off to a magical land known as Oz, where she accidentally kills the most wicked witch in the land. Dorothy, however, isn't so sure she wants to stay, and sets off to find a wizard who might be able to help her. As Dorothy searches for the wizard's castle, she makes some friends along the way -- a scarecrow (Kermit the Frog, voiced by Steve Whitmire), a cowardly lion (Fozzie Bear, voiced by Eric Jacobson), a combination robot and computer made of tin (The Great Gonzo, voiced by Dave Goelz) -- but she also has to fend off The Wicked Witch of the West (Miss Piggy, voiced by Eric Jacobson), whose sister fell victim to Dorothy upon her arrival in the strange new land. Featuring most of the best-known Muppet Show characters, The Muppets' Wizard of Oz also features guest appearances by Jeffrey Tambor, David Alan Grier, and Quentin Tarantino. ~ Mark Deming, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Ashanti, Queen Latifah, (more)
- 2003
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Crank Yankers caller and cult comedy figure David Alan Grier offers his own unique take on tales of growing up and owning up to life's big challenges in a stand up performance featuring all of the blunt honesty and physical humor that has come to define his enduring career. With views on growing up in Detroit, running his first ever New York City marathon, and attempting to maintain his sanity at family holiday gatherings, fans can rest assured that there will be no shortage of laughs when Grier takes the stage. ~ Jason Buchanan, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- David Alan Grier
- 2002
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The makers of Art City, Vol. 3: A Ruling Passion features interviews with modern artists talking about their inspirations and the motifs present throughout their bodies of work. The filmmakers sit down with artists as diverse as Ed Ruscha, Louise Bourgeois, and Michael Ray Charles. ~ Perry Seibert, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Dave Hickey, Marcia Tucker, (more)
- 2002
In her third attempt to launch a successful starring sitcom, comedienne Bonnie Hunt starred as Bonnie Molloy, host of the low-rated TV chat show "Morning Chicago." The basic humor arose from Bonnie's efforts to juggle her career with her home life as the wife of doctor John Molloy (played by Lance Kerwin in the unaired pilot episode, and by Mark Derwin in the series proper) and the mother of three rambunctious kids. The domestic scenes admirably avoided the usual "setup-punch line" formula, with Bonnie making jokes almost as an afterthought as she tried to cope with her hectic lifestyle, while the scenes allegedly taking place during the telecast of "Morning Chicago" were largely improvised. The supporting cast included Samantha Browne-Walters and Charlie Stewart as Bonnie's kids Cathleen and Tommy (youngest child Connor was played by an uncredited infant), Marianne Muellerleile as autocratic live-in maid Gloria, David Alan Grier as Bonnie's TV producer David Bellows, Holly Wortell as studio makeup artist Holly, Anthony Russell as Bonnie's on-air piano player Tony Russo, and Chris Barnes as Marv, the cue-card guy. Life With Bonnie debuted September 17, 2002. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Bonnie Hunt, Mark Derwin, (more)
- 2000
Amy Goldstein directs this hip, indie look at the ups and downs of a trio of New York roommates from 1985 to 1995. The film opens as Peter (Patrick Breen), Reggie (Nadine Van Der Velde), and Chart (Scott Kraft) take out a 10-year lease on a musty warehouse loft on Manhattan's gritty A street. Their landlord is also Reggie's beau, Hiro (Glen Chin). Set against such historic events as the 1986 Reds-Mets World Series and the Stock Market Crash of 1987, the roommates lives change as Reggie dumps Hiro for Peter -- only to marry Sylvester (Adam Arkin), Chart struggles with heroin addiction, and Peter cares for AIDS-infected children. ~ Jonathan Crow, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Adam Arkin, Patrick Breen, (more)
- 2000
Intended primarily for African-American audiences, this animated retelling of Goldilocks and the Three Bears uses modern hip-hop and jazz references to spice up an otherwise timeless children's story. The HBO series was known for its celebrity voices; vocal talents in this episode include the likes of Ben Vereen, David Alan Grier, Alfre Woodard, and Lou Rawls. ~ Tracie Cooper, All Movie Guide
A baseball player stuck in a losing streak gets some heavenly help in the second sequel to Disney's 1994 hit Angels in the Outfield. Eddie Everett (Patrick Warburton) is a pitcher with the Anaheim Angels who has been in a slump ever since a bungled play helped his team lose the pennant a year ago. Depressed, Eddie has lost confidence in his abilities; his marriage to Claire (Rebecca Jenkins) is on the rocks, and when Claire decides to move on, she leaves it to Eddie to watch over their 13-year-old daughter Laurel (Brittney Irvin). Laurel loves her father, but they're all but strangers to each other, and she isn't sure what she can do to help him. One night, Laurel prays for help for her dad, and her prayer is answered in the form of a guardian angel, Bob "Bungler" Bugler (David Alan Grier). Bob was a singularly unimpressive ball player who died ten years earlier, and has been trying to earn his wings ever since; Bob hopes that by helping Laurel, he can prove his worth to St. Peter, and by helping Eddie, he might get one last change to play in the big leagues. Angels in the Infield also features Kurt Fuller as Simon, Eddie's agent, and Colin Fox as The Devil, who has plans of his own regarding Eddie's career. ~ Mark Deming, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Patrick Warburton, Brittney Irvin, (more)
- 2000
The title of this NBC sitcom refers to its protagonist, Secret Service agent Jerome "Dag" Daggett (by an amazing coincidence, the letters in the title also form the initials of the series' star, David Allen Grier). During an assassination attempt on the president of the United States (David Rasche), Dag's efforts to protect his charge, though eminently successful, serve to make him look like a fool (he dodges right instead of left ). Quickly reassigned to a detail where he won't be able to do any harm, Dag is placed in charge of protecting Hillary-like first lady Judith Whitman (elta Burke) and her troublesome teenage daughter Camilla (Lea Moreno Young). As Dag dreams of restoring his former prestige in the Service, he is forced to content himself with walking the First Lady's dog and purchasing her groceries. Gradually, Dag realizes that he will never escape his exile: Despite their initial protestations, Judith and Camilla decide that they enjoy his company and, funnily enough, he enjoys theirs. Originally scheduled for an October 31, 2000, debut, DAG was delayed until November 14 due to some last-minute format-tinkering. The series' production staff included Andrew Gordon, Eileen Conn, and Jack Burdett, all veterans of the popular sitcom Just Shoot Me. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- David Alan Grier, Delta Burke, (more)
A Saintly Switch is a fantasy comedy about a football player switching bodies with his pregnant wife as a result of a magic trick gone bad. ~ All Movie Guide
- 1997
This 1997 episode of Saturday Night Live is hosted by David Alan Grier and features musical guest Snoop Doggy Dogg. ~ Skyler Miller, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- David Alan Grier, Snoop Dogg, (more)
- 1995
This 1995 episode of Saturday Night Live is hosted by David Alan Grier and features musical guest Silverchair. ~ Skyler Miller, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- David Alan Grier, Silverchair, (more)
Worried that Fox's overexposure of existing In Living Color episodes would weaken the series' appeal in rerun syndication, creator Keenen Ivory Wayans exited the show halfway through Season Four, followed in rapid succession by his brothers Damon, Shawn and Kim Wayans. Though sibling Marlon Wayans would continue to appear during season five, by mid-season none of the Wayans were left -- leaving Jim Carrey as the top-billed star of the property, and Jamie Foxx (whose main recurring character by this time was oversexed and spectacularly ugly Wanda Wayne) as the principal supporting comic. Amidst all this turnover, season five ushered in several talented new regulars, among them Chris Rock, Anne-Marie Johnson, Jay Leggett, Carol Rosenthal, Marc Wilmore, and Reggie McFadden. Among the best individual sketches seen during In Living Color's fifth and final season are "Russell Simmons Def Strawberry Jam," "Ike Turner and Hootch," "Anorexic Sumo Wrestler," "Circus of the Stars," "Sam Kinison: Live From Hell," "Wile E. Coyote on Trial," "Mary Tyler Mo," "East Hollywood Squares," "66th Annual Infomercial Awards," and "Prison Cable Network." ~ All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Marlon Wayans, Jim Carrey, (more)
The fourth season of the Wayans Brothers' cutting-edge comedy sketch series In Living Color marks the first appearance of Marlon Wayans, holding his own with siblings Keenen Ivory Wayans, Damon Wayans,Kim Wayans, and Shawn Wayans just as though he'd been a "regular" all along. Also making their series debuts this season are new regulars Alexandra Wentworth and Twist (aka Leroy Casey), while Steve Park has left the series for new career opportunities. And though Damon Wayans is no longer appearing regularly, he can still be seen making guest appearances in such familiar guises as Anton the Wino. While much of the series is the mixture as before, there is one significant format change, one that had been test-marketed during season three. From now on, each episode begins with a devastating spoof of a popular music video, with the regulars cutting up as faux celebrities. Longtime In Living Color fans should get a pretty good idea of what's in store for them this season by merely perusing the titles of the sketches, including "Rodney King and Reginald Denny Speak Out", "Basic Instank", "Head Detective," "Homey D Clown Meets His Son," "The Dysfunctional Home Christmas Show," "Boyz 2 Wimps," "Straight Pride Parade," and "Thema and Louise Jefferson." Also, mention must be made of the ever-increasing appearances by series regular Jamie Foxx in the recurring role of ugly, libidinous good-time girl Wanda Wayne, a character he would carry over with great success into his popular standup routine. ~ All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Keenen Ivory Wayans, Damon Wayans, (more)
Season three of the Wayans brothers' cutting-edge comedy variety series In Living Color features most of the familiar regulars along with two newcomers: Steve Park and future Academy Award winner Jamie Foxx. This year's crop of guest stars include Ray Combs, Debbie Lee Carrington, and Jonathan Taylor Thomas -- not to mention all those celebrities who appear "by proxy" in the comedy sketches (Pee-Wee Herman, Al Sharpton, Clarence Thomas, Jesse Jackson, Paula Abdul, Mike Tyson, Jimmy Swaggart, Michael Jackson, Connie Chung, Sally Struthers, George Bush the First, Hammer, and Michael Bolton). And, of course, such recurring characters as Homey D. Clown, Fire Marshal Bill, Handi-Man, gay movie critics Antoine and Blaine, and Anton the Wino show up in the series' various sketches, which during the 1991-1992 season bear titles like "The Fist That Rocks the Cradle," "Hour of Power Preachers on Trial," "Crazy Polident," "Rescue Whenever," and "Wilt Chamberlain Wall." ~ All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Keenen Ivory Wayans, Damon Wayans, (more)
- 1991
Actor, director, writer, and producer Robert Townsend presents this second volume of his classic HBO variety show Robert Townsend: Partners in Crime. Originally aired in 1991, the show helped launch the careers of comedians Shawn Wayans and Marlon Wayans. This collection of comedy sketches features his Western parody "How the West Was Won" and his soap-opera parody "The Bold, the Black, and the Beautiful." Also stars Sinbad, David Allen Grier, John Witherspoon, and Paul Mooney. ~ Andrea LeVasseur, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Robert Townsend, Paul Mooney, (more)
The Wayans Brothers -- Keenen Ivory, Damon, Kim, and Shawn -- continue to dominate the proceedings on the cutting-edge comedy variety series In Living Color as the show begins its second season on Fox. Still, the series' other regulars -- Jim Carrey (this year introducing the character of hideously disfigured "Fire Marshal Bill"), David Alan Grier, Kelly Coffield et. al. -- are given plenty of elbow room in the many savagely satirical sketches and musical numbers. Plus, season two serves up a full complement of guest stars, including Queen Latifah, Monie Love, Billy Dee Williams, Nikki D, Leeza Gibbons, John Tesh, Ice Cube, and Public Enemy. Among the season's best individual sketches are "Homey the Clown: When Homey Met Sally," "Tag Team Evangelists," "Miss Black Person USA," "Vera DeMilo: Buffed, Beautiful, and Bitchin';" "Amazing Grace - Rocky VI;" "Handi-Man: The Justice Legion of America" (featuring a handicapped superhero); "Vanilla Ice: White, White Baby," "Anton in the Burbs," a showcase for the series' "pet wino;" "Andrew Dice Clay on Love Connection;" "Arsenio Hall of Justice;" "Fashion Tampons;" and "Clear Conscience Fur Farm and Outlet Store." ~ All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Keenen Ivory Wayans, Damon Wayans, (more)
- 1990
The brainchild of comic actor Keenen Ivory Wayans, the Fox comedy variety series In Living Color has been described variously as the "black Laugh-In" and the "black Saturday Night Live." Whatever the case, the series garnered big laughs and bigger ratings by applying a hip, cutting-edge, Afrocentric slant on modern American culture, with freewheeling spoofs and satires of popular films, TV shows, commercials and music -- especially music. During In Living Color's first years on the air, the proceedings were dominated by Keenen Ivory Wayans and his multi-talented brothers, Damon Wayans, Kim Wayans, Shawn Wayans and (beginning with season four) Marlon Wayans. Also featured in the series' rotating repertory company were such brilliant black entertainers as David Alan Grier, T'Keyah "Crystal" Kehmah, Jamie Foxx, and Chris Rock, along with the show's "token white guy" Jim Carrey. Music was provided by some of the top R&B and rap artists in the country (Queen Latifah, Flavor Flav, and Heavy D to name but three of the many) with backup provided by the scantily-clad "Fly Girls" (one of whom was a young Jennifer Lopez). Merrily exploiting and skewering a variety of ethnic stereotypes, the series' recurring sketches and characters included "Men on Film," featuring a pair of flamboyantly gay movie critics, Blaine and Antoine ("Two snaps up"); Homey D. Clown, a dour urban kiddie entertainer ("Homey don't play that!"); SW-1 and Twist (Shawn Wayans, Leroy Casey), the show's exuberant veejays; "The Home Boys," a couple of streetwise scam artists named Wiz and Ice ("Mo' money!"), "Hey Mon," the ongoing saga of a West Indian family named the Hedleys; "The Buttmans," who looked exactly as you would expect them to look; Handi-Man, a multiple-handicapped superhero; Fire Marshall Bill (Jim Carrey), a hideously disfigured safety expert; and Wanda Wayne (played by Jamie Foxx), the ugliest, horniest gal in the 'hood. Also represented via impersonation and caricature were a number of A-list celebrities both black and white: Arsenio Hall, Oprah Winfrey, Andrew Dice Clay, Sam Kinison, Della Reese, Ray Charles, and many others. By the time In Living Color had entered its fifth season, all but one of the Wayans Brothers had left the show, following the lead of Keenen Ivory Wayans, who was unhappy with Fox's policy of censoring certain sketches and of overexposing existing episodes, thereby hurting their future profitability in syndication. Debuting April 15, 1990, In Living Color ran until August 25, 1994. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Keenen Ivory Wayans, Damon Wayans, (more)
- 1989
A mugshot for a criminal who looks just like Willie (Max Wright) is briefly flashed on a TV "crimestoppers" program. Since a huge reward has been posted for the lookalike, ALF appoints himself Willie's protector--and, accordingly, his blamed when the cops arrest Willie, even though next-door-neighbor Trevor (John LaMotta is to blame. A young David Alan Grier appears as an FBI agent. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
The 1987 portmanteau comedy feature Amazon Women on the Moon lampoons several film genres in general and the 1954 sci-fi cheapie Cat Women of the Moon in particular. Other sketches in Amazon Women include an opening bit with Arsenio Hall; a vignette titled "Son of the Invisible Man" wherein a naked Ed Begley Jr. runs around in full view of the nonplussed supporting cast; the It's Alive parody "Hospital", which offers the spectacle of Michelle Pfeiffer giving birth to Mr. Potato Head; and a Siskel & Ebert takeoff, featuring Arche Hahn as a TV viewer whose entire life is given a "thumbs down." Directed by several hands, including Joe Dante, Carl Gottleib, Peter Horton, John Landis, and Robert K. Weiss, Amazon Women on the Moon also features a satire of the Kroger G. Babb school of "sex hygiene" exploitation cheapies, with syphilis victim Carrie Fisher being counseled by unctuous doctor Paul Bartel. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Rosanna Arquette, Ralph Bellamy, (more)
