D.L. Hughley

A gang-affiliated high school dropout who turned his life around to become one of the most popular comedians in America, D.L. Hughley is all that and so much more. Over the course of a nearly four decade-long career that spanned stage and screen, Hughley carved out a career that includes stand-up, acting, voiceover, hosting, and even political and social commentary. Who would've thought that one of the Original Kings of Comedy would become one of America's most vital critical voices?

Born Darryl Lynn Hughley on March 6, 1963, Hughley and his family moved from Portsmouth, VA to South Central Los Angeles shortly after his birth. Like many young black men from South Central, Hughley fell victim to the allure of gang life, becoming a member of the Bloods, one of L.A.'s most notorious street gangs. His involvement with the Bloods would eventually lead to him being expelled from San Pedro High School. However, in his twenties, Hughley left the gang life behind, earned his G.E.D., and began working at The Los Angeles Times.

Eventually, Hughley discovered his true calling in stand-up comedy. He first became known to audiences as the host of "ComicView" (BET, 1992-2008), a stand-up comedy showcase that aired Fridays on BET. Though he left the show after its first season, Hughley was in. His next big project was producing, writing, and starring in his own sitcom, "The Hughleys" (ABC, 1998-2002). A satirical look at Hughley's own experiences of culture shock living with his black family in an upscale, largely white neighborhood, "The Hughleys" was a big hit, lasting four seasons.

During this time, Hughley joined forces with fellow comedians Steve Harvey, Bernie Mac, and Cedric the Entertainer for the Original Kings of Comedy tour, which was captured in a uproariously hilarious concert film, "The Original Kings of Comedy" (2000), directed by Spike Lee. Hughley then returned to television, guest starring as the older brother of Turk (Donald Faison) on "Scrubs" (NBC, 2001-2010), and trying out a a more dramatic role on Aaron Sorkin's ill-fated "Studio 60 on the Sunset Strip" (NBC, 2006-2007).

His next project was a short-lived comedic news show, "D.L. Hughley Breaks the News" (CNN, 2008-2009), followed by a stint as a morning radio DJ for 98.7 KISS FM with his show "The D.L. Hughley Morning Show." On the 16th season of "Dancing with the Stars" (ABC, 2005-), Hughley came in ninth place. An accomplished author, Hughley has released three books: I Want You to Shut the F#ck Up: How the Audacity of Dopes Is Ruining America (Crown Archetype Press, 2012), Black Man, White House: An Oral History of the Obama Years (William Morrow, 2017), and How Not to Get Shot: And Other Advice From White People (William Morrow, 2018).

Hughley could next be seen hosting his own talk show, "The D.L. Hughley Show" (TV One, 2019).