David Alan Grier Biography

David Alan Grier was born in Detroit Michigan to Aretas Ruth, a schoolteacher, and William Henry Grier, a psychiatrist and writer. He attended Cass Technical High School, then the University of Michigan, where he received a B.A. in radio, television, and film, followed by the Yale School of Drama for his M.F.A. in 1981.

He started his career in as Jackie Robinson in the Broadway musical The First (1981), then he joined the cast of Dreamgirls (1981) as James Thunder Early. Soon after, David made his film debut in Streamers (1983) as Roger. Although he was known for his dramatic ability, David decided to give comedy films a shot in Amazon Women on the Moon (1987) as Don "No Soul" Simmons.

His most notable roles include various roles on In Living Color (1990), Boomerang (1992) as Gerard, Baadasssss! (2003) as Clyde Huston and in The Woodsman (2004) as Bob. He has also had his own stand-up comedy special called The Book of David: The Cult Figure’s Manifesto (2003), and hosted shows, including Thank God You’re Here (2006), and Premium Blend (1997). Back on the big screen, David starred in the satirical film The American Society of Magical Negroes (2024) as Roger.

He has been nominated for 14 awards, including the 2024 Satellite Award for Best Actor in a Supporting Role in a Series, and has won four awards including the 1983 Venice Film Festival for Best Actor, the 2003 Western Heritage Awards for the Bronze Wrangler, the 2012 TV Land Awards for Groundbreaking Show, and the 2016 Image Award for Outstanding Actor in a Television Movie, Mini-Series or Dramatic Special.

David has been married twice, and has a daughter from his second marriage, which ended in divorce. 

Filmography:

The American Society of Magical Negroes (2024)
They Cloned Tyrone (2023)
Candy Cane Lane (2023)
The Color Purple (2023)
Clifford the Bif Red Dog (2021)
Coffee & Kareem (2020)
Native Son (2019)
Arizona (2018)
Sprinter (2018)
The Big Sick (2017)
Road Hard (2015)
Peeples (2013)
Hoodwinked Too! Hood vs. Evil (2011)
Something Like a Business (2010)
Dance Flick (2009)
Astro Boy (2009)
Kissing Cousins (2008)
The Hustle (2008)
The Poker House (2008)
An American Carol (2008)
Little Man (2006)
Bewitched (2005)
The Woodsman (2004)
Baadasssss! (2003)
Blue Collar Comedy Tour: The Movie (2003)
Tiptoes (2003)
15 Minutes (2001)
3 Strikes (2000)
Return to Me (2000)
The Adventures of Rocky and Bullwinkle (2000)
Freeway II: Confessions of a Trickbaby (1999)
Stuart Little (1999)
Elmopalooza (1998)
McHale's Navy (1997)
Top of the World (1997)
Tales from the Hood (1995)
Jumanji (1995)
Goldilocks and the Three Bears (1995)
In the Army Now (1994)
Blankman (1994)
The Player (1992)
Boomerang (1992)
Loose Cannons (1990)
Almost an Angel (1990)
Off Limits (1988)
Me and Him (1988)
I'm Gonna Git You Sucka (1988)
From the Hip (1987)
Amazon Women on the Moon (1987)
Beer (1985)
A Soldier's Story (1984)
Streamers (1983)