David Alan Grier: The Cultural Legend Who Still Has More to Offer

With 42 years under his belt, David Alan Grier has become a giant both on stage and on screen. The 68-year-old, known for playing multiple characters on the hit sketch comedy show In Living Color, has brought us laughter with iconic roles such as Reverend Leon Lonnie Love. From scene-stealing moments in films like Jumanji to the latest iteration of The Color Purple, Grier has seen his career reach new heights over the years, even as Hollywood continues to evolve.

“In the early 80s, every actor who came to New York had an answering service—this was before the beeper,” Grier explains how the early days of his career went. “You would then get on a payphone and check in two or three times a day to your answering service, and some big Hollywood studio would call you and tell you about auditions and callbacks.”

“Everything is all digital now,” the legendary actor says about the new age of Hollywood. “The last show I produced, I was able to cast by looking online.”

The nostalgia of how things used to be envelops the Detroit native with a joyous aura. Grier recalls the time in 1976 when he went to see The Wiz and told the cast, including singer Stephanie Mills, that he wanted to be in show business. “They clowned the hell out of me,” Grier laughs. “But that's how you used to do it.”

The hustle and bustle of New York City paid off for Grier. He launched his professional career on Broadway, portraying Jackie Robinson in The First, earning him a Tony nomination for Best Featured Actor in a Musical and winning the Theatre World Award. He then joined the cast of Dreamgirls, and later starred opposite Denzel Washington in A Soldier's Play. Both actors reprised their roles in the film adaptation, A Soldier's Story. Grier returned to the stage for the 2020 revival of A Soldier's Play, which earned him a Tony Award for Best Performance by a Featured Actor in a Play.

Full circle moments have followed Grier throughout his career. From passionately expressing his desire to enter show business to Mills after watching The Wiz, to starring in the televised live version of The Wiz in 2015, the actor from Martin has built a career many only dream of. However, it took time for the Tony-nominated actor to truly find his footing.

“As a young artist, a lot of my energy was walking into a room trying to figure out what they wanted. Then trying to form myself into that… Now I have more self-confidence,” Grier says about his craftsmanship. “It helped my acting because 90% is relaxation…If you cannot relax you cannot successfully act.” 

After more than 40 years in the industry, Grier says he knows what he is doing in his career. “I put in my 10,000 hours,” he says about his successful decades in the business.

Though time has passed since Grier's career began, the NAACP Image Award-winning actor is clear about his vision for what can be described as his second act.

“I feel more energized,” Grier says. “When I was a young actor, I remember working with and meeting some people I looked up to, much older actors, and they were broken down. The industry had just run through them, they didn’t have that spark. Then I worked with other older actors who are amazing. I wanted to be like the other actors…Still alive. When I was younger, I wondered, ‘Why are you here? They've already broken you.’ I don't want to grow old like that. I want to still have my child-like energy… I want to keep that wonderment.”

Grier's career continues to thrive as he joins the cast of NBC’s upcoming American mockumentary sitcom, St. Denis Medical. Co-created by Justin Spitzer and Eric Ledgin, the series humorously portrays the lives of overworked doctors and nurses at an underfunded Oregon hospital. Grier stars alongside Wendi McLendon-Covey, Allison Tolman, Josh Lawson, Mekki Leeper, Kaliko Kauahi, and Kahyun Kim.

Slated to premiere on November 12, Yale Drama alum Grier will play Dr. Ron, the oldest surgeon on staff at the hospital. This role marks another full circle moment in Grier's career; before his fame from In Living Color, he had aspired to play a doctor on the popular series St. Elsewhere, which ran until the late 80s.

“The best thing I love about my character is that he was a revolutionary: 30 years ago he had the big afro, fed the poor, helped at a free clinic, and now he has just given up,” Grier says about his character arc, laughing. “The system has beaten him down,” he laughs. “I know that dude. I am not that dude, but I know that dude.” 

Grier has embraced the longevity of his career, making intentional moves while staying true to his vision and authentic self.

“When I talk to young actors, I tell them, ‘You don't want to be clutching stones while walking through a field of diamonds,’” Grier reminisces. “By that, I mean, you're so singular in where you think you're supposed to be. But you're passing up all these opportunities…that's what happened to me. I didn't really plan on being a stand up comedian, but when I got on In Living Color, I remember my agents called me and told me that 12 universities have called to book you. And I said, ‘Well, I’m not a stand up comedian.” After a conversation with Damon Wayans, Grier reconsidered his “elitist attitude.”

“I went to the Yale School of Drama… I did not tell dirty jokes,” he explains. However, it was during this talk, where a potential $50,000 payday was mentioned, that he ventured into the realm of stand-up comedy. This decision paved the way for the brilliant humor we now associate with him."

The Chocolate News star reflects on the impact of taking risks in his career, emphasizing how it led to defining moments. “I've already surpassed a lot of what I thought I would ever do. And the thing that I really cherish the most is legacy. So many times people hit me up and they say, ‘I grew up with you. I've been watching my whole life so I'm gonna follow you into this next journey.’”

And what does Grier attribute to his illustrious career? Mentorship and being a giver to others.

“You have to be welcoming to the generation that precedes you and the generation that's coming after you,” he advises. “It's like this, you build leaders, you nurture leaders. They just don't pop out leaders. As a matter of fact, that's how you destroy leadership… by not mentoring.”

As Grier looks forward to his new series and the next chapter of his life, he remains energized and shows no signs of slowing down, ready to continue shaping and influencing the world around him.

Check out the full interview.

Photographer: Dalvin Adams

Stylist: Doug Hickman Jr.

Groomer: Harper for Exclusive Artists using Scotch Porter

Creative Director: Eric Keith

Producer: B Young Agency

Videographer: Leef Parks

Magazine Designer: 1026 Media