Sun, Jan 22, 2006
Martin Lawrence sits down with Host James Lipton for "Inside the Actors Studio," now in its twelfth season. Lawrence was born in Frankfurt, Germany where his mother served in the U.S. Military before relocating to Maryland with the family. Encouraged by his teachers to pursue his knack for comedy, he moved to New York City to try his hand at stand-up. Lawrence performed at the legendary Improv Comedy Club, which won him recognition and a spot on the hit show "Star Search." Though he didn't win the competition, he was rewarded when Russell Simmons handpicked him to perform on HBO's "Def Comedy Jam." He then launched a successful television career in his own sitcom, "Martin," which aired from 1992-1997. Lawrence went on to take major roles in films such as "Bad Boys," "Bad Boys II," "Blue Streak," and "A Thin Line Between Love and Hate," which he also wrote and directed.
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Sun, Feb 12, 2006
Dave Chappelle sits down with Host James Lipton for "Inside the Actors Studio," now in its twelfth season to discuss his life and career for a special two-hour episode. Chappelle first debuted his comedic talents at the age of fourteen while studying acting and literary media at the Duke Ellington School of the Arts. Within a year he was invited on stage at the famed Apollo Theater in Harlem, New York. He made a name for himself along East Coast clubs before breaking into TV on Russell Simmons' "Def Comedy Jam" on HBO and receiving the honor of being the youngest featured comic to perform on "Comic Relief VI" at age twenty. Chappelle then moved into film, appearing in "Robin Hood: Men in Tights," "You've Got Mail," "Half Baked," and "Con Air." Chappelle's fame skyrocketed with the success of the Comedy Central hit "Chappelle's Show." The show's smart and controversial social and political commentary made it an instant sensation and gave Chappelle status as one of comedy's reigning stars.