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Comedy and Social Activism - Part Two: Carrying The Banner
Comedians are the ambassadors of laughter and laughter warms the soul. Comedians have the unique ability to hold a mirror to society to let us see the naked truth. Unlike music, where an artist can make a statement without personal confrontation, comedians are on the front line. They have the confidence and perseverance to stand in front of a crowd night after night, sometimes sharing the most intimate details about themselves. This is pure power. Bill Cosby, Richard Pryor, Eddie Murphy and Chris Rock have held the banner of social activism high. There are many more that have been and are continuing to blaze the trail, far more that can be mentioned here.
Please click the link below to view a few video clips of these amazing performers. We have included video interviews where possible.
ENJOY!
Please click the link below to view a few video clips of these amazing performers. We have included video interviews where possible.
ENJOY!
All of the biographies below are excerpts from the African American Registry. It's worth the while to visit this webste
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Bill Cosby
"William Henry Cosby, Jr., was born in Germantown, PA. He attended college on a football scholarship at Temple University. He received his master's and doctorate in education, from the University of Massachusetts. He entered show business as a stand up comedian at the Gaslight Cafe, New York (1962), but his career took off with "I Spy," (1965-1968). It was here that Cosby became the first African-American to star in a dramatic series on television. In 1965, Cosby married Camille Hanks; the couple has five children.
Cosby has amassed a global reputation through his diverse media using records, books, television, and film. He has affected society as a humanitarian. It is here that his humor connected with real life situations separates him from many of his peers."
"He and his wife have donated $20 million to Spelman College. He owns an extensive collection of art by African-Americans. Cosby’s list of honors include four Emmy awards, eight Grammy awards, the NAACP Image Award, and induction into the the Hall of Fame of the Academy of TV Arts & Sciences.
As a civic activist he is president of the Rhythm and Blues Hall of Fame, a board member of Sickle Cell Anemia Foundation, a board member of United Negro College Fund, and a board member of Operation PUSH."
"Bill Cosby remains one of the most visible African-Americans in the last 50 years. Recently, Cosby has taken significant milestones in African-American history to convey "tough love" for his community, a point of view that is controversial among the Black population. He says, 'My biggest cry is for us to really reflect on who we are. Who are we in our manhood? Who are we in our responsibility to the black woman and the black child?'
Cosby has amassed a global reputation through his diverse media using records, books, television, and film. He has affected society as a humanitarian. It is here that his humor connected with real life situations separates him from many of his peers."
"He and his wife have donated $20 million to Spelman College. He owns an extensive collection of art by African-Americans. Cosby’s list of honors include four Emmy awards, eight Grammy awards, the NAACP Image Award, and induction into the the Hall of Fame of the Academy of TV Arts & Sciences.
As a civic activist he is president of the Rhythm and Blues Hall of Fame, a board member of Sickle Cell Anemia Foundation, a board member of United Negro College Fund, and a board member of Operation PUSH."
"Bill Cosby remains one of the most visible African-Americans in the last 50 years. Recently, Cosby has taken significant milestones in African-American history to convey "tough love" for his community, a point of view that is controversial among the Black population. He says, 'My biggest cry is for us to really reflect on who we are. Who are we in our manhood? Who are we in our responsibility to the black woman and the black child?'
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Richard Pryor
"Born into a poor family in Peoria, Illinois, Pryor grew up in a lower class brothel, dropped out of high school at the age of 14, and later served in the United States Army for two years. He honed an instinctive talent for humor into a proficient stand-up comedy act while touring nightclubs during the early 1960s, eventually gaining national exposure through appearances on television talk and variety shows. Responding to the social ferment of the late 1960s and early 1970s, Pryor departed from the conventions of stand-up comedy.
He drew freely on his experiences as an African-American, treating issues such as racism, sex, and street life in a confrontational manner. The resulting routines, recorded on such hit albums as "That Nigger's Crazy," were hilarious, insightful, and often moving. Pryor made his movie debut in 1967 and subsequently appeared in several low-budget films. After his first major screen role, in "Lady Sings the Blues," he went on to become one of the biggest box-office attractions of the 1970s.
He did his most critically acclaimed screen work in the political drama "Blue Collar," and in two films of his deep solo shows, "Richard Pryor Live in Concert" and "Richard Pryor Live on the Sunset Strip." His career was interrupted in 1980 when he suffered severe burns while using cocaine. Although his career subsequently revived, he was forced to retire from performing in the early 1990s due to multiple sclerosis.
Pryor was known for dealing candidly with controversial topics and bringing African-American comedy traditions to mainstream audiences. He raised stand-up comedy to the level of performance art and influenced a generation of performers.
Richard Pryor died of a heart attack on December 10, 2005, in Los Angeles, CA."
He drew freely on his experiences as an African-American, treating issues such as racism, sex, and street life in a confrontational manner. The resulting routines, recorded on such hit albums as "That Nigger's Crazy," were hilarious, insightful, and often moving. Pryor made his movie debut in 1967 and subsequently appeared in several low-budget films. After his first major screen role, in "Lady Sings the Blues," he went on to become one of the biggest box-office attractions of the 1970s.
He did his most critically acclaimed screen work in the political drama "Blue Collar," and in two films of his deep solo shows, "Richard Pryor Live in Concert" and "Richard Pryor Live on the Sunset Strip." His career was interrupted in 1980 when he suffered severe burns while using cocaine. Although his career subsequently revived, he was forced to retire from performing in the early 1990s due to multiple sclerosis.
Pryor was known for dealing candidly with controversial topics and bringing African-American comedy traditions to mainstream audiences. He raised stand-up comedy to the level of performance art and influenced a generation of performers.
Richard Pryor died of a heart attack on December 10, 2005, in Los Angeles, CA."
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Eddie Murphy
"From Brooklyn, NY, Edward Regan Murphy’s father was a police officer who died when young Eddie was three. His mother, Lillian, was a telephone operator. He graduated from Roosevelt Junior-Senior High School in Roosevelt, NY and was voted "Most Popular.” Murphy was writing and performing his own routines at youth centers, local bars, and at the Roosevelt High School auditorium in suburban Long Island by the age of 15. Soon thereafter, Murphy headed to the renowned The Comic Strip. At 19, Murphy landed an audition for the new cast of TV's Saturday Night Live (SNL) and was signed as a featured player for the 1980-81 seasons.
During his four years on "SNL" Murphy created unforgettable characters such as prison poet Tyrone Green, the grown-up Gumby and TV huckster Velvet Jones. Murphy made his film debut in 48 Hrs co-starring Nick Nolte. Another early movie was Trading Places with former "SNL" star Dan Akroyd. While only 21 years old, Murphy's made his third film, Beverly Hills Cop in 1984. Then came The Golden Child and Beverly Hills Cop II in 1987. A comedian first and foremost, in 1983 and 1984 his original stand-up material was released on two comedy LPs, Eddie Murphy and Eddie Murphy: Comedian. Eddie Murphy received Grammy nominations as Best Comedy Recording and Best R&B Instrumental Performance for the instrumental version of the hit single Boogie Your Butt. Eddie Murphy Comedian brought Murphy the 1984 Grammy for Best Comedy Album of the Year."
"He is also in the forefront in Hollywood for providing opportunities and positions in the industry for Black actors, writers, producers, directors and other "behind-the-camera" talent. A devoted father, Murphy currently resides in New Jersey with his wife Nicole and their three children."
During his four years on "SNL" Murphy created unforgettable characters such as prison poet Tyrone Green, the grown-up Gumby and TV huckster Velvet Jones. Murphy made his film debut in 48 Hrs co-starring Nick Nolte. Another early movie was Trading Places with former "SNL" star Dan Akroyd. While only 21 years old, Murphy's made his third film, Beverly Hills Cop in 1984. Then came The Golden Child and Beverly Hills Cop II in 1987. A comedian first and foremost, in 1983 and 1984 his original stand-up material was released on two comedy LPs, Eddie Murphy and Eddie Murphy: Comedian. Eddie Murphy received Grammy nominations as Best Comedy Recording and Best R&B Instrumental Performance for the instrumental version of the hit single Boogie Your Butt. Eddie Murphy Comedian brought Murphy the 1984 Grammy for Best Comedy Album of the Year."
"He is also in the forefront in Hollywood for providing opportunities and positions in the industry for Black actors, writers, producers, directors and other "behind-the-camera" talent. A devoted father, Murphy currently resides in New Jersey with his wife Nicole and their three children."
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Chris Rock
"From Georgetown, South Carolina, Rock was raised in Brooklyn's Bedford-Stuyvesant neighborhood. He is the son of Julius and Rose Rock and is from a family of six children. He always dreamed of becoming a comedian. At eighteen while performing at New York's Comedy Strip, he met Eddie Murphy, who was so impressed with the scathing young comedian that he cast him in Beverly Hills Cop II (1987). From there Rock went on to play a small supporting role with the Not Ready for Primetime Players on the NBC sketch comedy series and Saturday Night Live (SNL), both in 1990.
He remained with SNL for three years, periodically drifting over to In Living Color as a guest performer. Rock also found time to make more film appearances, with his character a crack head/informant in New Jack City (1991) attracting a favorable attention. Rock made his screenwriting debut in 1993 with CB4. In 1996 he married Malaak Compton who is a publicist. On television, he found particular success with the 1997 HBO comedy special Bring the Pain! During that time he earned two Emmy awards. That same year, he also received an Emmy nomination for his work as a writer and correspondent on Comedy Central’s Politically Incorrect with Bill Maher. Rock went on to entertain with The Chris Rock Show.
In 1997 Rock recorded and received a Grammy nomination for his comedy album Roll With The New. Two years later he did it again with his album Bigger and Blacker. In 1998 and 1999 he won both Emmy, Cable/ACE and NAACP Image Award nominations for the Chris Rock Show. Other films include Lethal Weapon 4 and Kevin Smith's Dogma, in 1998. Also that year, Rock published a book Rock This! In 2002 Rock starred in the film Bad Company."
He remained with SNL for three years, periodically drifting over to In Living Color as a guest performer. Rock also found time to make more film appearances, with his character a crack head/informant in New Jack City (1991) attracting a favorable attention. Rock made his screenwriting debut in 1993 with CB4. In 1996 he married Malaak Compton who is a publicist. On television, he found particular success with the 1997 HBO comedy special Bring the Pain! During that time he earned two Emmy awards. That same year, he also received an Emmy nomination for his work as a writer and correspondent on Comedy Central’s Politically Incorrect with Bill Maher. Rock went on to entertain with The Chris Rock Show.
In 1997 Rock recorded and received a Grammy nomination for his comedy album Roll With The New. Two years later he did it again with his album Bigger and Blacker. In 1998 and 1999 he won both Emmy, Cable/ACE and NAACP Image Award nominations for the Chris Rock Show. Other films include Lethal Weapon 4 and Kevin Smith's Dogma, in 1998. Also that year, Rock published a book Rock This! In 2002 Rock starred in the film Bad Company."
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