Comedy The Most Notable Stand-Up Comics from Def Comedy Jam
A thorough list of Def Comedy Jam performing comedians, with photos! Russell Simmons classic HBO stand-up comedy showcase ran from 1992 until 1997, and then returned in 2006. The show helped to launch the careers of dozens of top popular and famous black comedians, including Bernie Mac, Dave Chappelle, Bill Bellamy, Damon Wayans, Jamie Foxx, Mike Epps, and Chris Tucker. Most of the funny black comedians who were first featured on the show went on to achieve fame and influence.
Who are the most famous Def Jam comedians? Though a variety of "Best Of" collections were released of the classic '90s episodes, featuring old black comedians, only the 2006 revival series has had all its episodes collected for DVD. This list includes the notable male and female African American comedians who stepped on the Def Comedy Jam stage on their way to the big time. (Be sure to check out more great comedy every week on Cannon's Countdown!)
Adele Givens is an American actress and comedian. Her television appearances include The Hughleys, Moesha, The Parkers, Comedy Central Presents, Def Comedy Jam, Russell Simmons Presents Def Poetry, Martin, Tracey Takes On... and The Steve Harvey Show. She currently lives in Lexington, Kentucky. ...more on Wikipedia
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Aries Spears is an American stand-up comedian, actor, voice artist, and comedian. Spears was a regular on Fox's sketch comedy series MADtv, appearing in 198 episodes, making him the second longest-serving cast member on the show falling behind Michael McDonald. He recently released a new special called Aries Spears: Hollywood, Look I'm Smiling. ...more on Wikipedia
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Bernard Jeffrey "Bernie" McCullough, better known by his stage name Bernie Mac, was an American stand-up comedian, actor and voice artist. Born and raised on the South Side of Chicago, Mac gained popularity as a stand-up comedian. He joined comedians Steve Harvey, Cedric the Entertainer, and D. L. Hughley in The Original Kings of Comedy. After briefly hosting the HBO show Midnight Mac, Mac appeared in several films in smaller roles. His most noted film role was as Frank Catton in the remake Ocean's Eleven and the titular character of Mr. 3000. He was the star of The Bernie Mac Show, which ran from 2001 through 2006, earning him two Emmy Award nominations for Outstanding Lead Actor in a ...more on Wikipedia
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#84 on The Funniest People of All Time
#24 on The Funniest Stand Up Comedians of All Time
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#43 on The Most Original Comedians
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William "Bill" Bellamy is an American actor and stand-up comedian. Bellamy first gained national notoriety on HBO's Russell Simmons' Def Comedy Jam, where he is credited for creating or coining the phrase "booty call", described as a late night call to a potential paramour with the intention of meeting strictly for sex. Bellamy is African-American. He attended Seton Hall Preparatory School in South Orange, New Jersey, before moving on to major in economics at Rutgers University. For many years, Bellamy was a staple on MTV, a VJ and the host of several MTV programs including MTV Jamz and MTV Beach House. He went on to star in a number of movies, including Fled, Love Jones, The Brothers, How ...more on Wikipedia
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#23 on The Best Male Stand Up Comedians of the '90s
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