Erica Wright
For the Birmingham Times
Comedian Eddie Griffin was voted class clown three years in a row, but comedy wasn’t his passion. His first love was always dance.
In fact, at 16 he opened his own dance studio and would choreograph the Kansas City Chiefs half-time shows. His career change came unexpectedly. One night his cousin dared him to go on stage at a local comedy club and he was told to do three minutes. Griffin ended up performing for 45 minutes successfully. After that night, Griffin purchased a one-way ticket to Los Angeles to pursue his dream of stand-up.
Since then, Griffin has built an ever-growing fan base with his stand-up routines, movies and TV shows.
“I’ve been blessed to do what I do and to have been in this business for so long,” Griffin said.
Griffin will be at the StarDome Comedy Club on Friday July 7 and Saturday July 8.
When it comes longevity, Griffin – whose career started in 1991 – said it’s best to just be yourself.
“I think in this game, it’s just best to be yourself and stay authentic,” Griffin said. “I think that’s how I’ve been able to have longevity because I’m just myself and I’m authentic and I think if you want to make it in this industry, just be yourself and be authentic.”
Griffin has starred in films such as The Meteor Man, Double Take, John Q, Scary Movie 3, and Norbit. He is best known for his roles as Eddie Sherman on the sitcom “Malcom & Eddie” and as the title character in the 2002 comedy film “Undercover Brother”. He also played T.J. in the “Deuce Bigalow” movies.
Griffin can currently be found three nights a week at the King’s room at Rio Las Vegas in the Eddie Griffin Experience as well as The Comedy Get Down tour for the last three years with fellow stand-up performers Cedric the Entertainer, George Lopez, D.L. Hughley and the late Charlie Murphy.
He just finished production on The Comedy Get Down TV series that will air on BET this fall.
Griffin credits the late comedian and actor, Richard Pryor as one of his biggest inspirations and did voice work as Richard Pryor in the animated series “Black Dynamite” on Adult Swim.
