David Alan Grier

Biography

David Alan Grier is an American comedian and film and television actor, best known for his work on the sketch comedy television show "In Living Color".

Career Overview

David Alan Grier has 127 screen credits in a career dating back to 1962. Their work spans 8 cinematic universes — most prominently The Thugaboo Collection with 2 titles. Signature works include St. Denis Medical, The American Society of Magical Negroes, Little Man. Explore the interactive character relationship maps on each title page to trace how their roles connect across franchises.

Personal Facts

Known For

Acting

Gender

male

Known Credits

127

Birth Date

1956-06-30 00:00:00

Birth Place

Detroit, Michigan, USA

Known For

• 

  St. Denis Medical
• 

  The American Society of Magical Negroes
• 

  Little Man
• 

  They Cloned Tyrone
• 

  The Patient
• 

  Clifford the Big Red Dog

Associated Universes

Universe traveler — spans 8 universes

• The Thugaboo Collection (2 titles)
• Hoodwinked! Collection (1 titles)
• Freeway Collection (1 titles)
• Angels in the ... Collection (1 titles)
• Stuart Little Collection (1 titles)
• McHale's Navy Collection (1 titles)
• Jumanji (1 titles)
• Tales From the Hood Collection (1 titles)

Frequent Collaborators

• Wendi McLendon-Covey (1 collaborations)
• Allison Tolman (1 collaborations)
• Josh Lawson (1 collaborations)
• Kahyun Kim (1 collaborations)
• Mekki Leeper (1 collaborations)
• Kaliko Kauahi (1 collaborations)
• Justice Smith (1 collaborations)
• An-Li Bogan (1 collaborations)
• Drew Tarver (1 collaborations)
• Michaela Watkins (1 collaborations)

Credits

• actors (124 credits)

  • Who Is Martin Mull?

    Self

    actor

    actors
    2026
  • Baby, You're a Star

    actor

    actors
    2026
  • Casting a Spell: Making 'Bewitched'

    Self

    actor

    actors
    2026
  • St. Denis Medical

    Ron Leonard

    actor

    actors

    - We Make Time (2026) ... Ron Leonard actor actors

    - Here a Righteous Woman Comes (2026) ... Ron Leonard actor actors

    - Experience with Human Babies (2026) ... Ron Leonard actor actors

    - Everyone Loves Portland General (2026) ... Ron Leonard actor actors

    - Happy Birthday, Matty (2026) ... Ron Leonard actor actors
    2024
  • The American Society of Magical Negroes

    Roger

    actor

    actors
    2024
  • Elsbeth

    - Four Body Problem (2025) ... Arthur Greene Jr. actor actors
    2024
  • 2023 Back That Year Up with Kevin Hart & Kenan Thompson

    Self

    actor

    actors
    2023
  • The Color Purple

    Reverend Avery

    actor

    actors
    2023
  • Candy Cane Lane

    Santa Claus

    actor

    actors
    2023
  • They Cloned Tyrone

    The Preacher

    actor

    actors
    2023
  • The SF Sketchfest Roast of Bruce Campbell

    Self

    actor

    actors
    2023
  • Poker Face

    - A New Lease on Death (2025) ... Otto actor actors
    2023
  • Beauty and the Beast: A 30th Celebration

    Cogsworth

    actor

    actors
    2022
  • The Patient

    Charlie Addison

    actor

    actors

    - The Cantor's Husband (2022) ... Charlie Addison actor actors

    - Auschwitz (2022) ... Charlie Addison actor actors

    - Ezra (2022) ... Charlie Addison actor actors

    - Kaddish (2022) ... Charlie Addison actor actors

    - Charlie (2022) ... Charlie Addison actor actors
    2022
  • The Sherri Shepherd Show

    - David Alan Grier, Alonzo Bodden (2024) ... Self - Guest actor actors
    2022
  • Clifford the Big Red Dog

    Packard

    actor

    actors
    2021
  • Show of Titles

    "Guys and Dolls" Performer

    actor

    actors
    2021
  • Dad Stop Embarrassing Me - The Afterparty

    Self

    actor

    actors
    2021
  • A Soldier's Play

    Sergeant Vernon C. Waters

    actor

    actors
    2021
  • Coffee & Kareem

    Captain Hill

    actor

    actors
    2020
  • Sprinter

    Coach

    actor

    actors
    2019
  • Native Son

    Marty

    actor

    actors
    2019
  • The Kelly Clarkson Show

    - Michelle Monaghan, Wendi McLendon-Covey & David Alan Grier (2025) ... Self actor actors
    2019
  • Arizona

    Coburn

    actor

    actors
    2018
  • The Resident

    - Peking Duck Day (2019) ... Lamar Broome actor actors

    - Nurses' Day (2019) ... Lamar Broome actor actors

    - Flesh of My Flesh (2019) ... Lamar Broome actor actors
    2018
  • A Christmas Story Live!

    Santa Claus

    actor

    actors
    2017
  • The Big Sick

    Andy Dodd

    actor

    actors
    2017
  • A Series of Unfortunate Events

    - The Hostile Hospital (2) (2018) ... Hal actor actors

    - The Hostile Hospital (1) (2018) ... Hal actor actors
    2017
  • Jingle Ballin'

    Colin

    actor

    actors
    2016
  • The Wiz Live!

    The Cowardly Lion

    actor

    actors
    2015
  • The Making of the Wiz Live!

    Self

    actor

    actors
    2015
  • The Late Show with Stephen Colbert

    - Elijah Wood, David Alan Grier, Lea Michele, the Broadway cast and orchestra of "Chess" (2026) ... Self - Guest actor actors

    - Sting, David Alan Grier (2021) ... Self - Guest actor actors

    - Chris Cuomo, David Alan Grier, Jon Stewart (2020) ... Self - Guest actor actors
    2015
  • Lennon or McCartney

    Self

    actor

    actors
    2014
  • An En Vogue Christmas

    Marty

    actor

    actors
    2014
  • Bad Teacher

    Carl Gaines

    actor

    actors

    - What's Old Is New (2014) ... Carl Gaines actor actors

    - The Bottle (2014) ... Carl Gaines actor actors

    - A Little Respect (2014) ... Carl Gaines actor actors

    - Found Money (2014) ... Carl Gaines actor actors

    - Life Science (2014) ... Carl Gaines actor actors
    2014
  • The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon

    - Vin Diesel/Selena Gomez (2015) ... Ben Carson actor actors
    2014
  • The Watsons Go to Birmingham

    Mr. Robert

    actor

    actors
    2013
  • Peeples

    Virgil Peeples

    actor

    actors
    2013
  • Beat Bobby Flay

    - Take a Bao (2017) ... Self actor actors
    2013
  • Hoodwinked Too! Hood VS. Evil

    Moss the Troll (voice)

    actor

    actors
    2011
  • Happy Endings

    - In the Heat of the Noche (2013) ... Terry actor actors
    2011
  • Something Like A Business

    3D

    actor

    actors
    2010
  • Astro Boy

    Mr. Squirt / Math Cowboy / Boxer Robot (voice)

    actor

    actors
    2009
  • Dance Flick

    Sugar Bear

    actor

    actors
    2009
  • Watch What Happens Live with Andy Cohen

    - Porsha Williams & David Alan Grier (2019) ... Self - Guest actor actors

    - Sonja Morgan & David Alan Grier (2014) ... Self - Guest actor actors
    2009
  • An American Carol

    Rastus Malone

    actor

    actors
    2008
  • Gym Teacher: The Movie

    Shelly Bragg

    actor

    actors
    2008
  • The Poker House

    Stymie

    actor

    actors
    2008
  • Kissing Cousins

    The Griller

    actor

    actors
    2008
  • The Hustle

    Rev. Isaac Montgomery Paid

    actor

    actors
    2008
  • Heckler

    Self

    actor

    actors
    2007
  • Thugaboo: A Miracle on D-roc's Street

    Principal Eyeverson/The Man Upstairs (voice)

    actor

    actors
    2006
  • Little Man

    Jimmy

    actor

    actors
    2006
  • Thugaboo: Sneaker Madness

    Principal Eyeverson (voice)

    actor

    actors
    2006
  • Just for Laughs Stand Up, Vol. 1: Best of the Uptown Comics

    Himself

    actor

    actors
    2005
  • Why I Love 'Bewitched'

    Self

    actor

    actors
    2005
  • Bewitched

    Jim Fields

    actor

    actors
    2005
  • The Muppets' Wizard of Oz

    Uncle Henry

    actor

    actors
    2005
  • Dancing with the Stars

    - Episode 805A (2009) ... Self - Contestant actor actors

    - Episode 805 (2009) ... Self - Contestant actor actors

    - Episode 804A (2009) ... Self - Contestant actor actors

    - Episode 804 (2009) ... Self - Contestant actor actors

    - Episode 803A (2009) ... Self - Contestant actor actors
    2005
  • Bones

    - The Body and the Bounty (2010) ... Professor Bunsen Jude actor actors
    2005
  • The Woodsman

    Bob

    actor

    actors
    2004
  • Baadasssss!

    Clyde Houston

    actor

    actors
    2004
  • If Love Hadn't Left Me Lonely

    Himself

    actor

    actors
    2004
  • Laffapalooza! #2

    Self

    actor

    actors
    2004
  • The Tony Danza Show

    - David Alan Grier, Paolo Lafata, Peter Post (2005) ... Self actor actors
    2004
  • David Alan Grier: The Book of David - The Cult Figure's Manifesto

    Himself

    actor

    actors
    2003
  • Blue Collar Comedy Tour: The Movie

    Limo Driver

    actor

    actors
    2003
  • Jimmy Kimmel Live!

    - David Alan Grier, Meghann Fahy, Musical Guest Malcolm Todd 4 (2025) ... Self - Guest Co-Host actor actors

    - David Alan Grier/Topher Grace/All Time Low (2021) ... Self - Guest actor actors

    - Gerard Butler, David Alan Grier, Musical Guest The Avett Brothers (2019) ... Self - Guest actor actors

    - David Alan Grier, Dr. Drew Pinsky, Brett Dennen (2008) ... Self - Guest Co-Host actor actors

    - David Alan Grier, Santiago Cabrera, The Nightwatchman (2007) ... Self - Guest actor actors
    2003
  • Tiptoes

    Jerry Robin Jr.

    actor

    actors
    2002
  • King of Texas

    Rip

    actor

    actors
    2002
  • 15 Minutes

    Mugger

    actor

    actors
    2001
  • Samurai Jack

    - XLII (2003) ... Da Samurai actor actors
    2001
  • My Wife and Kids

    - The Sweet Hairafter (2003) ... actor actors
    2001
  • Damned If You Do

    The Devil

    actor

    actors
    2000
  • The Adventures of Rocky & Bullwinkle

    Measures

    actor

    actors
    2000
  • Freeway II: Confessions of a Trickbaby

    Mr. Butz

    actor

    actors
    2000
  • Angels in the Infield

    Bob Bugler

    actor

    actors
    2000
  • Return to Me

    Charlie Johnson

    actor

    actors
    2000
  • East of A

    Brother James

    actor

    actors
    2000
  • 3 Strikes

    Detective Jenkins

    actor

    actors
    2000
  • Making Jumanji: The Realm of Imagination

    Self/Carl Bentley

    actor

    actors
    2000
  • Boston Public

    - Chapter Forty-Two (2002) ... Laurence Williams actor actors
    2000
  • Buzz Lightyear of Star Command

    - Stress Test (2000) ... Tubunch (voice) actor actors
    2000
  • Stuart Little

    Red (voice)

    actor

    actors
    1999
  • The '60s

    Fred Hampton

    actor

    actors
    1999
  • A Saintly Switch

    Dan Anderson

    actor

    actors
    1999
  • Law & Order: Special Victims Unit

    - Branded (2010) ... Jeremy Swift actor actors
    1999
  • Sesame Street: Elmopalooza!

    Self

    actor

    actors
    1998
  • Hollywood Squares

    - Episode 110 (1999) ... Self - Panelist actor actors

    - Episode 109 (1999) ... Self - Panelist actor actors

    - Episode 108 (1999) ... Self - Panelist actor actors

    - Episode 107 (1999) ... Self - Panelist actor actors

    - Episode 106 (1999) ... Self - Panelist actor actors
    1998
  • Hercules

    - Hercules and the Phil Factor (1998) ... actor actors

    - Hercules and the Living Legend (1998) ... Memnon (voice) actor actors
    1998
  • Top of the World

    Detective Augustus

    actor

    actors
    1997
  • McHale's Navy

    Ensign Charles Parker

    actor

    actors
    1997
  • The View

    - Stacey Abrams; Alison Brie; David Alan Grier, Blair Underwood and Jerry O’Connell (2020) ... Self actor actors
    1997
  • The Daily Show

    - March 13, 2024 - David Alan Grier (2024) ... Self - Guest actor actors

    - David Alan Grier (2020) ... Self - Guest actor actors
    1996
  • Kenan & Kel

    - Aw, Here It Goes To Hollywood (2) (1999) ... David Alan Grier actor actors
    1996
  • Jumanji

    Bentley

    actor

    actors
    1995
  • Tales from the Hood

    Carl Johnson (segment "Boys Do Get Bruised")

    actor

    actors
    1995
  • Goldilocks and the Three Bears

    Spike

    actor

    actors
    1995
  • Pinky and the Brain

    - TV or Not TV (1995) ... Marlon (voice) actor actors
    1995
  • Blankman

    Kevin Walker

    actor

    actors
    1994
  • In the Army Now

    Fred Ostroff

    actor

    actors
    1994
  • The X-Files

    - Hollywood A.D. (2000) ... Cinema Audience (uncredited) actor actors
    1993
  • Boomerang

    Gerard Jackson

    actor

    actors
    1992
  • The Player

    David Alan Grier

    actor

    actors
    1992
  • Martin

    - I Martin, Take Thee...Pam?! (1997) ... Rev. Leon Lonnie Love actor actors

    - The Wedding Bell Blues (1) (1995) ... Rev. Leon Lonnie Love actor actors

    - Checks, Lies and Videotape (1993) ... Rev. Leon Lonnie Love actor actors

    - The Break Up: Part 2 (1993) ... Rev. Leon Lonnie Love actor actors
    1992
  • Almost an Angel

    Det. Bill

    actor

    actors
    1990
  • Loose Cannons

    Drummond

    actor

    actors
    1990
  • Robert Townsend: Partners in Crime: Vol. 4

    actor

    actors
    1989
  • Robert Townsend: Partners in Crime: Vol. 3

    actor

    actors
    1989
  • I'm Gonna Git You Sucka

    Newsman

    actor

    actors
    1988
  • Robert Townsend: Partners in Crime: Vol. 2

    actor

    actors
    1988
  • Me and Him

    Peter Conklin

    actor

    actors
    1988
  • Off Limits

    Rogers

    actor

    actors
    1988
  • Amazon Women on the Moon

    Don Simmons (segment "Blacks Without Soul") / Don Simmons (segment "Don 'No Soul' Simmons")

    actor

    actors
    1987
  • From the Hip

    Steve Hadley

    actor

    actors
    1987
  • Tour of Duty

    - Soldiers (1988) ... Harold actor actors
    1987
  • A Different World

    - Romancing Mr. Stone (1987) ... Professor Byron Walcott actor actors
    1987
  • ALF

    - Wanted: Dead or Alive (1989) ... FBI #1 actor actors
    1986
  • Beer

    Elliott Morrison

    actor

    actors
    1985
  • The Equalizer

    - The Lock Box (1985) ... Desk Sergeant actor actors
    1985
  • A Soldier's Story

    Corporal Cobb

    actor

    actors
    1984
  • Streamers

    Roger

    actor

    actors
    1983
  • Saturday Night Live

    - David Alan Grier/Snoop Doggy Dogg (1997) ... Self - Host actor actors

    - David Alan Grier/Silverchair (1995) ... Self - Host actor actors

    - Damon Wayans/Dionne Farris (1995) ... Antoine Meriweather (uncredited) actor actors
    1975
  • The Tonight Show Starring Johnny Carson

    - Episode 202 (1990) ... actor actors
    1962

• production (1 credits)

  • The Poker House

    co-producer

    production
    2008

• writing (2 credits)

  • The Poker House

    writer

    writing
    2008
  • David Alan Grier: The Book of David - The Cult Figure's Manifesto

    writer

    writing
    2003