Donnell Rawlings is an overnight success , a decade in the making. You’ve seen him on Comedy Central’s award winning and critically celebrated Chappelle’s Show as ‘Ashy Larry’, the 70’s jheri curled ‘Beautiful, and numerous other characters he’s played. Donnell is the franchise player Dave Chappelle and Neal Brennan wanted as a writer and prime time player on their team. Since Dave Chappelle had business to take care of in Africa, Donnell was asked to step in to the huge shoes Dave left behind, and host the Lost Episodes. “Hilarious” is what Linda Stasi of The New York Post calls Donnell’ s performance as host.
His unique brand of observational humor has earned Donnell co-hosting duties on Power 105’s (NY’s #1 Hip Hop and R&B radio station) morning show “Live in the Den with Big Tigger and Egypt”, each morning from 6-10 am. A self- proclaimed work-a-holic, Donnell is doing all of this as well as filming a new pilot for Comedy Central with Charlie Murphy called “Charlie Vs. Donnell” AND just wrapped filming the feature length comedy entitled “Twist The Cap”.
Donnell has performed his intelligently bold stand-up throughout the U.S., Europe, and the Caribbean. He has appeared on both award winning Law & Order series Special Victims Unit (SVU) and Criminal Intent (CI). Donnell has also appeared in Third Watch on CBS, and the Emmy award winning HBO Special: The Corner. Last season, he was featured on HBO’s critically acclaimed series The Wire.
Growing up, this Washington, D.C. native used humor as a means of persuasion with the ladies and whipped out his wicked wit as a weapon of mass destruction in verbal battle. While in the Air Force Donnell’s wordplay shot down more military personnel than any G.I. issued arms as he traveled the world.
When Donnell returned to the States and settled into civilian life he decided to check out the local comedy scene in D.C. He quickly became the “official heckler” as he ate comedians alive from the audience. One day a local comedian challenged Donnell to bring his act to the stage. Six months later Donnell was performing on HBO’s Def Comedy Jam.
That was the jump off that has led to other opportunities for Donnell. From his weekly guest appearance on New York’s Hot 97 Morning Show, to Donnell’s role in the blockbuster Spider-Man II and his status as resident “Funny Guy” on the Ricki Lake Show.
Donnell keeps his humor relevant and edgy, and his peers have noticed his talent and potential. Neal Brennan, co-executive producer and co-head writer of Chappelle’s Show: “Whenever we put Donnell in the game he’s going to hit a double or a home run.” Jamie Foxx says “That guy is a beast!” Wayne Brady commented that Donnell provides “amazing work on the show” and Dave Chappelle feels that “Donnell brings so much to the table...this very funny guy makes it look so natural and easy.”
