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Born Name:
Edward Rubin Griffin
Born Date:
July 15, 1968
Born Place:
Kansas City, Missouri
Died Date:
Died Place:
Occupations:
Stand-up comedian, actor
Brief Biography:
Edward Rubin Griffin (born July 15, 1968) is a renowned American stand-up comedian, actor, and producer, recognized for his energetic, observational comedy style and for ranking #62 on Comedy Central's list of the 100 Greatest Stand-Ups of All Time. He is best known for his starring role in the sitcom Malcolm & Eddie and films such as Undercover Brother and Deuce Bigalow: Male Gigolo.
Early Life:
He was raised as a Jehovah's Witness and was voted class clown three years in a row in high school.
Early Career:
At 16, he opened his own dance studio and choreographed for the Kansas City Chiefs halftime shows.
Military/Jail: He briefly enlisted in the U.S. Navy but was discharged for marijuana use, and later spent six months in jail following a fight.
The Bet: In 1989, his cousin bet him $50 to go on stage at the local comedy club, Stanford & Sons. He performed an off-the-cuff, 45-minute set, earning a standing ovation and launching his career.
Career Highlights:
After moving to Los Angeles, Griffin quickly became a fixture at The Comedy Store.
Television: He gained massive popularity as Eddie Sherman on the UPN sitcom Malcolm & Eddie (1996–2000), where he also served as a writer and director. He appeared in Chappelle's Show in the "World Series of Dice" sketch.
Film: Griffin has appeared in over 50 films, including The Meteor Man (1993), John Q (2002), Scary Movie 3 (2003), and Norbit (2007). He is particularly noted for his role as Anton Jackson in Undercover Brother (2002).
Stand-up Specials: Notable specials include One Night Stand (1992), Voodoo Child (1997), Dysfunktional Family (2003), and Undeniable (2017).
Residency: As of 2026, he performs a weekly residency, "The Eddie Griffin Experience," at the Sayers Club in the Sahara Las Vegas Hotel and Casino.
Awards and Honors:
2000 NAACP Image Award: Outstanding Actor in a Comedy Series for Malcolm & Eddie.
2014 LAIUFF & Critics Award: Best Actor for Last Supper.
Comedy Central: Ranked #62 of 100 Greatest Stand-ups of All Time.