On this day in comedy on September 25, 1983 Comedian, Actor, Writer, Musician, Donald McKinley Glover was born in California.
Raised in Stone Mountain, Georgia. Glover multi-tasked comedy and rap through his alter ego, Childish Gambino. The character released several albums (one he disowns) and won Glover two Grammy Awards for Best Rap Album and Performance. He also performs as a DJ under the name mcDJ; making many of his mixtapes available free on his website.
Glover’s adeptness at humor had been recognized by classmates early on and he earned a degree in dramatic writing from New York University’s Tisch School of the Arts. Then Glover took his writing skills and wrote for NBC’s 30 Rock for several seasons; making on-camera appearances as well. His stint there earned him three Writer’s Guild of America Award for Best Comedy Series.
Glover showed off his acting chops as a cast member on the acclaimed NBC sitcom, Community. He was seriously considered for the part of Peter Parker in the Amazing Spider-Man before the role went to Andrew Garfield. He did, however, voice the character in the animated version, Ultimate Spider-Man.
The multi-talent joined the improv troupe, Derrick Comedy; the group that starred in the film, Mystery Team, and why not? They wrote and produced it. Glover has also appeared in films, The Muppets, The To Do List, Alexander and the Terrible, Horrible, No Good, Very Bad Day, The Lazarus Effect, Magic Mike XXL, The Martian and the upcoming Star Wars Universe’s Hans Solo film, where Glover has landed the role of a young Lando Calrissian. His television credits include, Girls and Sesame Street and he’s provided voices for Robot Chicken, Adventure Time and China IL.
Glover’s first stand-up special aired on Comedy Central in 2010. He toured with a show that included comedy, rap, video portions and often features guest artists. In Atlanta, the show he created and starred in, Glover plays the opportunist relative of a talented fledgling rapper. There’d been a feeding frenzy for Atlanta, with FX being chosen because Glover wanted to tour and FX said they could work around that.
Throughout his career, the highly decorated Donald Glover, has won the Rising Comedy Star Award at the Just for Laughs festival; the Comedy Awards Breakout Breakthrough Performer of the Year; Gold Derby TV Awards for Best TV Ensemble (Community); PAAFTJ Television Awards Best Cast in a Comedy Series (Community); TV Guide Awards Favourite Ensemble (Community); an mtvU Woodies Award for Best Video Woodie from his EP, Kauai and two RIAA certifications.
By Darryl “D’Militant” Littleton
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