THEATRE + COMEDY

The Improv Comedy Showcase and Restaurant presents Tommy Davidson.

Tommy Davidson’s exceptional range from stand-up comedy and acting to versatile music ability have earned him a reputation as an extraordinary performer. Best known as one of the original stars of the hit television show In Living Color, Tommy’s reach is built on the show’s and its stars groundbreaking and innovative talent.

Davidson started his career as a standup comedian in Washington DC, earning an ardent following via hard work in various comedy clubs. As one of the cutting-edge, young stand-ups, he was spotted by huge concert promoters, who booked him as the opening act for major touring acts including Patti LaBelle, Kenny G and Luther Vandross. It wasn’t long before he came to Hollywood performing stand-up at a number of clubs, including the Comedy Act Theatre, where he met Robert Townsend which led to his first national television appearance with a starring role in Partners in Crime.

This was the conduit to Keenan Ivory Wayans, who proved instrumental in Davidson’s career by offering him an opportunity to audition and join the uniquely talented cast of the most adventurous primetime variety show of its day, In Living Color. He, Jamie Foxx, Jim Carrey and Damon Wayans made tv history with their originality.

Tommy’s impressive film debut was opposite Halle Berry in Strictly Business. He immediately segued select high-profile films including opposite Jada Pinkett Smith in the romantic comedy, Woo (New Line) and in the provocative urban comedy, Booty Call (Columbia Pictures). His credits include numerous feature film roles from Spike Lee’s Bamboozled, where he received acclaim and praise for his turn as “Womack/Sleep ‘N Eats,” to Juwanna Mann (Morgan Creek Productions’) and the pivotal cameo in Jim Carrey’s Ace Ventura II: When Nature Calls, which has become a cult favorite.

Davidson’s hilarious impressions of Sammy Davis, Jr., Michael Jackson and other icons have become infamous. His visibility on In Living Color led to three Showtime specials: On Strength of New York, Illin’ in Philly and Takin’ it to DC. His elasticity as a performer who delivers on both the big and small screen led to other projects like the lead in the Disney’s animated series, The Proud Family and as one of the hosts on FOX’s popular The NFL Show, alongside football greats Michael Irvin and Tony Siragusa. Davidson also portrays the lead in Will Smith’s up-and-coming animated series, Youngin’s.

Tommy stars in one of the most anticipated films screening at Slamdance 2010, I Am Comic, with Sarah Silverman, Carlos Mencia, Carrot Top, Jeff Foxworthy and Kathy Griffin. He scored big with reviewers and audiences alike opposite Michael Jai White in the critically-lauded spoof comedy, Black Dynamite (Sony Pictures), last year’s big Sundance hit, which was recently nominated for a 2010 Image Award. Tommy recently completed Chicago Pulaski Jones with Cedric the Entertainer.

Tommy travels internationally selling out every venue in which he headlines and participates in select high-profile industry schedule committing. Plans are underway for his own variety show (in the vein of In Living Color) for spring 2010. Whether he is lending a helping hand to the homeless – as he did by spearheading a toy drive for PATH Los Angeles on Christmas eve or entertaining thousands, Tommy Davidson leaves an indelible image in the minds of everyone.