Photo: The Tony Awards / CC BY 3.0 (source: Wikimedia Commons)
My Take
David Alan Grier feels like one of those performers whose body of work runs deeper than casual fans realize. I know him best for In Living Color and Martin in the 1990s, but the detail that grabs me is the 1982 Theatre World Award and a Volpi Cup for Best Actor at Venice, because that points to serious dramatic chops underneath the comedy. Being ranked among Comedy Central's greatest stand-ups while also commanding the stage tells me he never let himself get boxed in. To me he is a rare double threat, equally at home making a room laugh and earning festival acclaim, and I respect that balance.
1. Profile
- Name (English)
- David Alan Grier
- Name (Japanese)
- デヴィッド・アラン・グリア
- Reading
- でゔぃっど・あらん・ぐりあ
- Born
- June 30, 1956 (age 70)
- Zodiac / Chinese zodiac
- Cancer / Monkey
- Origin
- Detroit, Michigan, United States
- Occupation
- screenwriter / stage actor / television actor / film actor / film producer
2. Background
- High school
- Cass Technical High School
- University
- University of Michigan
Awards & achievements
- 1982 Theatre World Award
- Volpi Cup for Best Actor
4. Personality
Motto
Private
5. Works & records
| Category | Title | Role | Year |
|---|---|---|---|
| Notable work | Candy Cane Lane | — | |
| Notable work | The Color Purple | — | |
| Notable work | The American Society of Magical Negroes | — |
6. Links
Frequently asked questions
When was David Alan Grier born?
Born June 30, 1956 (age 70).
Where is David Alan Grier from?
David Alan Grier is from Detroit, Michigan, United States.
What does David Alan Grier do?
David Alan Grier works as screenwriter, stage actor, television actor, film actor, film producer.
What is David Alan Grier known for?
Notable works include Candy Cane Lane, The Color Purple, The American Society of Magical Negroes.
Screenwriter — see all → · Stage actor — see all → · More people from United States →
7. About this entry
Tags
- Last updated
- 2026-06-02
Facts are limited to publicly available information up to 2024; non-public or unconfirmed items are omitted. English text is machine-assisted (facts translated by Sonnet, "My Take" written by Opus 4.8). The Japanese page is the source of record.