Interview with Tommy Davidson
March 15, 2011 by Mike Gencarelli
Tommy Davidson is one of the funniest comedians in the business. He started his career with “In Living Color” and has since started in many films ranging from “Booty Call” to “Ace Ventura: When Nature Calls” to “Black Dynamite”. Tommy is currently touring the stand up circuit and took some time to chat with Movie Mikes about his roles and his tour.
Mike Gencarelli: Going back to the “In Living Color” days, how it was working on that show?
Tommy Davidson: It was the best! It is like being with the Pittsburgh Steelers and like every other team is like boring. I learned everything I know about TV from that show. To this day I can still say it is a staple in my career.
MG: Did you have a favorite character you played on the show?
TD: I did this karate teacher, Sweet Tooth Jones who was pretty funny. But I would have to say it would be my major impressions, like Michael Jackson and when I did Spike Lee. It is pulling those things off that were the best for me on the show.
MG: When did you realized that you were able to impersonate various celebs ranging from Michael Jackson to Sammy Davis, Jr.?
TD: I didn’t until I got out to California and started in the business. Someone told me that was I was doing was impressions. I said “That is what I have been doing all that time”? [laughs]
MG: “Black Dynamite” was such a fun movie, was it fun to play Cream Corn in the film?
TD: It was a piece of cake. I was running around being half pimp. I got to come up with all kind of different ideas. It was great because that was the kind of stuff I did on “In Living Color” and you can’t beat that.
MG: You worked with the late Bernie Mac on various projects, how was it working with him?
TD: Wow…it was great. Bernie would let me do what ever I wanted man. Bernie really loved me sincerely. All I had to do is show up to the set and he would say “Just do what you want”.
MG: How did you get involved with “Ace Ventura: When Nature Calls” as The Tiny Warrior?
TD: Oh yeah man! Jim called me to come on and do it and I felt very special.
MG: Tell us about working with first time director, Cedric the Entertainer on “Chicago Pulaski Jones”?
TD: He was very good. He really knew what the hell he was doing man and I wasn’t surprised. I started in the business before him but that is the way things turn out. He definitely has 
paid attention over the years.
MG: You are currently touring doing the stand-up circuit, how do you enjoy doing stand up?
TD: I love it man. I am out there all the time doing stand-up comedy. I am not rusty at all. In fact, I am at the best and even getting better. It’s like if you compare a professional martial artist to some people who get into a street fight once in a while [laughs]. On this tour, I am doing a lot of observation material. I will probably also do a couple of impressions maybe a few new ones. But for the most part, I will just stand there and just do what comes to me.
Click here to find out where Tommy’s is appearing next.
http://moviemikes.com/2011/03/interview-with-tommy-davidson/