David Alan Grier
A versatile American comic actor whose sharp timing and chameleonic skill brought depth to both groundbreaking sketch comedy and nuanced dramatic roles.
Born 1956 (age 70)·American comedian and actor·Birthday: June 30·Baby Boomers
Biography
David Alan Grier didn't just arrive on the comedy scene; he earned his stripes on Broadway, snagging a Tony nomination for his role in 'The First' before most of America knew his name. This theatrical foundation gave him a formidable edge when he joined the explosive cast of 'In Living Color,' where his range—from the flamboyant fashion critic Antoine to the troubled Men on Film partner—stole sketches and showcased a rare precision. He seamlessly transitioned to sitcoms like 'Martin,' film, and a triumphant return to stage work, including a celebrated run in 'Race' on Broadway. Grier's career is a masterclass in durability, avoiding easy categorization by blending impeccable comic instincts with a serious actor's commitment, making him a respected and enduring presence across decades of American entertainment.
Baby Boomers
1946–1964
The largest generation in history at the time. Shaped by postwar prosperity, the Vietnam War, the sexual revolution, and Watergate. They questioned every institution their parents built — then ran them.
David was born in 1956, placing them squarely in the Baby Boomers. The events that shaped this generation — postwar prosperity, civil rights, Vietnam, and the counterculture — shaped the world they entered and the choices available to them.
#1 When David Was Born
The biggest hits of 1956
#1 Movie
The Ten Commandments
Best Picture
Around the World in 80 Days
#1 TV Show
I Love Lucy
David's Life & Times
The world at every milestone
1956Born
Elvis Presley appears on The Ed Sullivan Show
Gas: $0.30/galHome: $10,050Min wage: $1.00/hrPresident: Dwight D. Eisenhower"Heartbreak Hotel" — Elvis PresleyBest Picture: Around the World in 80 Days
1961Started school
Yuri Gagarin becomes the first human in space
Gas: $0.31/galHome: $12,500Min wage: $1.15/hrPresident: John F. Kennedy"Tossin' and Turnin'" — Bobby LewisBest Picture: West Side Story
1969Became a teenager
Apollo 11: humans walk on the Moon; Woodstock festival
Gas: $0.35/galHome: $15,550Min wage: $1.60/hrPresident: Richard Nixon"Sugar, Sugar" — The ArchiesBest Picture: Midnight Cowboy
1972Could drive
Watergate break-in; last Apollo Moon mission
Gas: $0.36/galHome: $19,550Min wage: $1.60/hrPresident: Richard Nixon"The First Time Ever I Saw Your Face" — Roberta FlackBest Picture: The Godfather
1974Could vote
Nixon resigns the presidency
Gas: $0.53/galHome: $22,600Min wage: $2.00/hrPresident: Gerald Ford"The Way We Were" — Barbra StreisandBest Picture: The Godfather Part II
1977Turned 21
Star Wars premieres; Elvis dies
Gas: $0.62/galHome: $31,800Min wage: $2.30/hrPresident: Jimmy Carter"Tonight's the Night" — Rod StewartBest Picture: Annie Hall
1986Turned 30
Challenger disaster; Chernobyl nuclear meltdown
Gas: $0.86/galHome: $66,600Min wage: $3.35/hrPresident: Ronald Reagan"That's What Friends Are For" — Dionne & FriendsBest Picture: Platoon
1996Turned 40
Dolly the sheep cloned
Gas: $1.23/galHome: $99,700Min wage: $4.75/hrPresident: Bill Clinton"Macarena" — Los del RioBest Picture: The English Patient
2006Turned 50
Twitter launches; Pluto reclassified as dwarf planet
Gas: $2.59/galHome: $174,700Min wage: $5.15/hrPresident: George W. Bush"Bad Day" — Daniel PowterBest Picture: The Departed
2016Turned 60
Donald Trump elected president; Brexit vote
Gas: $2.14/galHome: $181,700Min wage: $7.25/hrPresident: Barack Obama"Love Yourself" — Justin BieberBest Picture: Moonlight
2026Turned 70
Gas: $3.91/galPresident: Donald Trump
Key Achievements
- Earned a Tony Award nomination for Best Featured Actor in a Musical for his performance in 'The First' in 1981.
- Was a core cast member of the influential Fox sketch comedy series 'In Living Color' from 1990 to 1994.
- Ranked #94 on Comedy Central's list of the 100 Greatest Stand-Up Comedians of all time in 2004.
- Played the recurring role of Reverend Leon Lonnie Love on the hit sitcom 'Martin'.
Did You Know?
He is a graduate of the Yale School of Drama, where he earned a Master of Fine Arts degree.
He competed on the 8th season of 'Dancing with the Stars' in 2009.
His father, William Henry Grier, was a psychiatrist and co-author of the seminal book 'Black Rage.'
“Comedy is tragedy plus time. You have to know what the tragedy is to find the comedy.”
