David Alan Grier
Funnyman David Alan Grier is taking on a huge task this season – appearing on “Dancing with the Stars.” Comedians have not fared well on the show in past seasons, but Grier might just surprise us this season.
Grier was born on June 30, 1955 in Detroit, Michigan. After graduating from Cass Tech High School, he got his BA from the University of Michigan then his MFA from the Yale School of Drama.
Grier started his career as an X-Wing fighter on the radio adaptation of Star Wars, which was broadcasted on National Public Radio in 1980. He was nominated for a Tony Award after appearing as Jackie Robinson in the Broadway musical “The First.” He also appeared as James “Thunder” Early in “Dreamgirls” on Broadway. Grier’s first film was Streamers, for which he won the Golden Lion award at the Venice Film Festival.
Known primarily as a dramatic actor, Grier began to do comedy. He appeared in Amazon Women on the Moon and I’m Gonna Git You Sucka, which was directed by Keenan Ivory Wayans. Grier caught Wayans eye and he cast him in his new Fox comedy variety show “In Living Color.” The show was a hit and Grier became a very popular cast member, creating such memorable characters as shop teacher Al MacAfee, the elderly Mr. Brooks, bluesman Calhoun Tubbs, and film critic Antoine Merriweather.
Grier appeared on “Martin” as the Rev. Leon Lonnie Love and in “Life with Bonnie” for two seasons. During the ‘90s, he appeared in the films Boomerang, In the Army Now, Jumanji, and Tales from the Hood. In 2003, he was featured in BAADASSSSS! and The Woodsman, with Kevin Bacon. Grier hosted Premium Blend on Comedy Central, which would lead to him doing more shows for the network. He appeared in his own Comedy Central special (The Book of David: The Cult Figure’s Manifesto), on the show “Crank Yankers,” and as the host of “Chocolate News.” He hosted NBC’s “Thank God You’re Here.” Grier returned to Broadway to appear in A Funny Thing Happened on the Way to the Forum and appeared in The Wiz at the La Jolla Playhouse.
Grier often replaced host Adam Carolla (a “Dancing with the Stars” alum) on the radio show “Loveline.” He has also made several appearances on the Adam Carolla Show on 97.1 FM and has hosted The Adam Carolla Podcast.
Grier divorced Maritza Rivera in 1995. In June 2007, he married Christine Y. Kim and the couple had a daughter, Luisa Danbi Grier-Kim, on January 10, 2008.
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