Tommy Davidson is an American comedian, actor, screenwriter, and voice actor. Born Anthony Reed on November 10th, 1963, in Rolling Fork, Mississippi, he was abandoned by his biological parents at just 18 months old and was eventually found in a trash can. Fortunately, he was rescued by a woman who eventually became his adoptive mother. After his adoption, his name was changed to Thomas Davidson to reflect his new parents.
Davidson’s early years were marked by constant movement, as he and his family moved from state to state. At the age of five, he witnessed his adoptive parents’ divorce and was raised by his mother in Washington, DC. He continued to move from place to place as a young child, living in various areas within Maryland, including Silver Spring, Wheaton, and Takoma Park.
Despite the challenges he faced in his early years, Davidson persevered and eventually found success as a stand-up comedian. His career began in 1986 when he was convinced by a childhood friend to perform at a strip club in Washington, DC. The experience was a good one, and he continued to perform throughout Washington, Baltimore, and Philadelphia throughout the next few years.
Eventually, Davidson started opening for greats like Patti LaBelle, Starpoint, and Kenny G. By 1987, he had won an amateur stand-up competition at the Apollo Theater. Convinced that he could make it as a professional, Tommy relocated to North Hollywood, where he began performing at the Comedy Store.
During this time, he also met people like Robert Townsend and Martin Lawrence. After a number of performances, he appeared on “The Arsenio Hall Show.” Davidson’s performances on the show were well-received, and he soon found himself in demand as a comedian.
Outside of his stand-up career, Davidson has experienced considerable success with a range of television and film performances. His first major TV role came in 1989 with “CBS Summer Playhouse.” He then appeared in 125 episodes of “In Living Color” during the early 90s, playing various roles. In 1991, he booked his first major film role in “Strictly Business.”
Throughout the early 90s, Davidson also booked roles in movies like “Ace Ventura: When Nature Calls.” The early 90s also saw him make guest appearances in series like “The Commish,” “Martin,” and “Duckman: Private Dick/Family Man.” Towards the mid-to-late 90s, Davidson established himself as a voice actor with roles in animated series such as “The Ren & Stimpy Show” and “Happily Ever After: Fairy Tales for Every Child.”
During this period, he also continued to book roles in movies like “Plump Fiction” and “Pros & Cons.” From the 2000s onwards, Tommy appeared in films like “Bamboozled,” “Funky Monkey,” “Black Dynamite,” and 2018’s “Frat Pack.” He also booked voice roles in movies like “The Proud Family Movie.” In addition, Davidson served as a voice actor for the animated series of the same name. His most recent TV role was in the TV special “Sarah Cooper: Everything’s Fine.”
With a net worth of $2 million, Tommy Davidson has had a successful career in the entertainment industry. Despite the challenges he faced in his early years, he has persevered and has become a respected figure in the world of comedy and acting.