. >>> I can attest my success to black men, all of it.
Because robert townsend was the
first one to put me on tv, and
because robert townsend was the first one to put me on tv, and that was on "partners in crime."
the second one arsenio.
That was on "partners in crime." the second one arsenio. Eddy murphy puts me on his pilot
for "coming to america" where I
eddy murphy puts me on his pilot for "coming to america" where I play his brother.
For "coming to america" where I play his brother. And finally keenan comes to me
for "in loving color."
and finally keenan comes to me for "in loving color." one, two, three, four, and I was
gone.
One, two, three, four, and I was gone. Never looked back.
Gone. Never looked back. I never got a big hit from fame
never looked back. I never got a big hit from fame because I loved it so much.
But now that I look back on it,
a lot of the talent in hollywood
but now that I look back on it, a lot of the talent in hollywood understood how much money you
could make.
Understood how much money you could make. So I never really got that.
Could make. So I never really got that. If anything, I kind of missed
so I never really got that. If anything, I kind of missed the train on that because
if anything, I kind of missed the train on that because with -- with a big head in a
way, you know, you look at what
you're doing a little closer.
Way, you know, you look at what you're doing a little closer. I think I got lucky in that way
because I still genuinely love
this.
Because I still genuinely love this. ♪
♪ barbara is my mother.
And she branded me a strength
and a spirit that got me through
and she branded me a strength and a spirit that got me through hollywood.
And a spirit that got me through hollywood. I actually was abandoned in the
trash in 1966 in mississippi,
and she found me random.
Trash in 1966 in mississippi, and she found me random. She had gone down there with her
husband to do some voting drives
she had gone down there with her husband to do some voting drives during the civil rights
movements.
During the civil rights movements. Kennedy said if you go through
this time in history, will you
kennedy said if you go through this time in history, will you say you did something about the
race problems?
Say you did something about the race problems? So they went down there, and
they were working with my
so they went down there, and they were working with my natural mother.
They were working with my natural mother. The next year, they came down to
see if she was still there, kind
the next year, they came down to see if she was still there, kind of visit and pass through.
See if she was still there, kind of visit and pass through. They said she's gone, but she
left her youngest son at this
they said she's gone, but she left her youngest son at this house.
Left her youngest son at this house. So my mother, being nosey, went
to this house.
And when she got there, it was
an abandoned house, kids in
and when she got there, it was an abandoned house, kids in there doing drugs.
An abandoned house, kids in there doing drugs. She got out of there fast.
There doing drugs. She got out of there fast. But when she left out of there,
she got out of there fast. But when she left out of there, she saw a pile of trash inside
but when she left out of there, she saw a pile of trash inside the house, and something told
her to look under this tire that
was -- that was on top of the
trash.
Was -- that was on top of the trash. So when she moved the tire, she
saw my foot.
So she uncovered the trash, and
there I was.
I was starved, had contusions to
my skull.
I was in a coma.
My skull. I was in a coma. I was 18 months.
And she took me to the hospital.
I was there for 60 days.
I lived.
They couldn't find the parent.
So she took me to for cause
they couldn't find the parent. So she took me to for cause colorado where I grew up until I
so she took me to for cause colorado where I grew up until I was five.
Colorado where I grew up until I was five. Barbara is a white woman with a
black child in 1966.
But I didn't know I was black.
Black child in 1966. But I didn't know I was black. I didn't realize that I was
but I didn't know I was black. I didn't realize that I was black until I moved to
washington, d.C.
Black until I moved to washington, d.C. You roll into washington, d.C.
Washington, d.C. You roll into washington, d.C. With the riots.
Everything you are seeing with
with the riots. Everything you are seeing with the pandemics and all that
everything you are seeing with the pandemics and all that craziness, I have seen it
before.
Craziness, I have seen it before. So my brother looks like david
cassidy, and my sister looks
so my brother looks like david cassidy, and my sister looks like cindy brady.
Cassidy, and my sister looks like cindy brady. Here we are with tear gas,
fires, all this stuff.
We settle into washington, d.C.
Fires, all this stuff. We settle into washington, d.C. And somebody came over and said,
we settle into washington, d.C. And somebody came over and said, hey, the kids are playing at the
and somebody came over and said, hey, the kids are playing at the pool.
Hey, the kids are playing at the pool. Do you want your kids to go down
there?
We went down there and the black
kids whipped our ass all the way
we went down there and the black kids whipped our ass all the way home and they were whipping our
ass for weeks.
Home and they were whipping our ass for weeks. They kept calling my brother and
sister white cracker and were
they kept calling my brother and sister white cracker and were calling me white cracker lover.
Sister white cracker and were calling me white cracker lover. I asked my mother.
Calling me white cracker lover. I asked my mother. She said that's what people your
color call people our color when
she said that's what people your color call people our color when they don't like them.
Color call people our color when they don't like them. I said, well, what color am I?
They don't like them. I said, well, what color am I? She said, you're black.
I said, no, I'm brown like the
she said, you're black. I said, no, I'm brown like the crayons.
You know, that's where I learned
my colors from.
She said, well, that's what we
call them.
Finally it got so messy down
there that we moved to the
finally it got so messy down there that we moved to the suburbs.
There that we moved to the suburbs. This is in '69.
Suburbs. This is in '69. And that's the first time I
this is in '69. And that's the first time I heard the word [ bleep ].
Because grown white men were
chasing me home, man.
So I thought that I was a brown
one of whatever we were because
so I thought that I was a brown one of whatever we were because I grew up in the midwest.
One of whatever we were because I grew up in the midwest. I saw a lot of liters be born
like cats.
A gray kitten, a grown kitten or
a dog could have three white
a gray kitten, a grown kitten or a dog could have three white puppies, three brown ones and a
black one.
Puppies, three brown ones and a black one. So I thought whatever we were, I
was brown.
So I thought that was the
stupidest thing I ever heard
so I thought that was the stupidest thing I ever heard because people were hating each
other for a color they weren't
really.
Other for a color they weren't really. You know?
Really. You know? And that's when my whole world
you know? And that's when my whole world just came crashing down because
and that's when my whole world just came crashing down because I said, well, how can I love
these people that are this color
and hate the people that are the
color of me but love the people
that are the color -- it got
real confusing for me.
That are the color -- it got real confusing for me. So we moved again because the
suburbs got so dangerous for me.
So my mom found a neighborhood
right on the d.C. Line, you
so my mom found a neighborhood right on the d.C. Line, you know.
Right on the d.C. Line, you know. And when me and my sisters got
there, we sat on the windowsill
and when me and my sisters got there, we sat on the windowsill and looked down in this
neighborhood.
And looked down in this neighborhood. This is where I grew up.
Neighborhood. This is where I grew up. And the song came on ball of
this is where I grew up. And the song came on ball of confusion.
It was like out of a movie.
Confusion. It was like out of a movie. And from that point on in my
it was like out of a movie. And from that point on in my little courtyard, I was
and from that point on in my little courtyard, I was representing like the un.
Little courtyard, I was representing like the un. I had african friends,
vietnamese friends, white
friends and all that.
Vietnamese friends, white friends and all that. But when I turned about nine,
all of the innocent kids moved
but when I turned about nine, all of the innocent kids moved to my neighborhoods.
All of the innocent kids moved to my neighborhoods. So all of a sudden it was black
time.
Now, I discovered I was black
when I first moved to that
now, I discovered I was black when I first moved to that neighborhood because when the
white teenagers ran at me
calling me [ bleep ], the black
guys came.
Calling me [ bleep ], the black guys came. I was like, oh, I'm on this
team, you know.
So as a kid, I had a lot of -- I
think of color, nothing like
so as a kid, I had a lot of -- I think of color, nothing like that.
Think of color, nothing like that. But when these kids moved from
the inner city, it was like --
but when these kids moved from the inner city, it was like -- it was like every man for
himself, every kid for himself.
It was like every man for himself, every kid for himself. So my -- my parents had
divorced.
So it was a single mother in
this neighborhood in maryland.
Latch key kid coming home from
school, let my sister in, making
latch key kid coming home from school, let my sister in, making her hot dogs and macaroni and
cheese and just survival.
Her hot dogs and macaroni and cheese and just survival. And I think that that had a big
impression on my personality
and I think that that had a big impression on my personality because as a kid, you know, I
was such a loving kid, you know.
Because as a kid, you know, I was such a loving kid, you know. I just loved everything because
I came from the midwest.
You know, so I had this heart of
gold, loved everybody.
And it became ass whip time.
Gold, loved everybody. And it became ass whip time. My brother and sister felt like
and it became ass whip time. My brother and sister felt like anger towards me because I was
my brother and sister felt like anger towards me because I was like the spoiled child of the
whole family.
Like the spoiled child of the whole family. It is like everybody in the
family just spoiled me.
Like my grandfather when we'd go
and visit them, I didn't have to
like my grandfather when we'd go and visit them, I didn't have to do no chores.
And visit them, I didn't have to do no chores. I could sit and watch the
football game with him, and he
would teach me different
cultural groups by the jerseys.
Would teach me different cultural groups by the jerseys. He's polish.
Cultural groups by the jerseys. He's polish. He was that cat, you know.
So I got away with a lot because
he was that cat, you know. So I got away with a lot because I was like the charm of the
so I got away with a lot because I was like the charm of the family, and I was really
talented.
Family, and I was really talented. My father was nowhere around, so
my mother was a single -- she
my father was nowhere around, so my mother was a single -- she was a single parent.
My mother was a single -- she was a single parent. But that's the majority of my
neighborhood, anyway.
So she was the community mom,
really.
She would -- she was the
advocate.
You know, she changed the
apartments into co-op where you
you know, she changed the apartments into co-op where you would buy your own apartment.
Apartments into co-op where you would buy your own apartment. We had trouble with the police,
so she went down to the police
we had trouble with the police, so she went down to the police department with the community,
and the police couldn't come to
our neighborhood unless they
were called.
Our neighborhood unless they were called. You always knew somebody got
killed because somebody was
you always knew somebody got killed because somebody was crying in my living room at 4:00
in the morning, you know, or
somebody got their ass whipped
by their drunk husband or
whatever.
By their drunk husband or whatever. That was who she was.
Whatever. That was who she was. And she used to confuse me
that was who she was. And she used to confuse me because we were on welfare and
and she used to confuse me because we were on welfare and we didn't get groceries that
often.
We didn't get groceries that often. And when they came to the door,
she started sending little kids
and when they came to the door, she started sending little kids home with the groceries.
She started sending little kids home with the groceries. So she will let them bring it up
and she'll say you can have
so she will let them bring it up and she'll say you can have that.
And she'll say you can have that. And you can have this.
That. And you can have this. I say, mom, what are you doing?
And she would get in my face,
say you don't tell me what I'm
and she would get in my face, say you don't tell me what I'm doing.
Say you don't tell me what I'm doing. I'm doing it.
Doing. I'm doing it. She said, do you have everything
you need?
I said yes.
You need? I said yes. She said, don't worry about it.
I didn't know at the time she
she said, don't worry about it. I didn't know at the time she was teaching me the universal
law of exchange, you know.
Was teaching me the universal law of exchange, you know. If you got a closed hand, you
can't give or receive, and she
if you got a closed hand, you can't give or receive, and she was teaching me that.
Can't give or receive, and she was teaching me that. That's why everything
>>> my family, the family that I
that's why everything >>> my family, the family that I came from, were the type of
white people that didn't any
racists in them, not even a
bone.
Racists in them, not even a bone. I remember being four years old
and playing cowboys and indians
on the floor.
And playing cowboys and indians on the floor. My grandfather said, I want you
to make sure that the indians
my grandfather said, I want you to make sure that the indians are the heroes because the
cowboys are the bad guys.
Are the heroes because the cowboys are the bad guys. He said, but all cowboys didn't
kill indians because they were
he said, but all cowboys didn't kill indians because they were from wyoming.
Kill indians because they were from wyoming. So my mother discovered I could
read real good so she started
so my mother discovered I could read real good so she started downloading me like neo and the
matrix.
Downloading me like neo and the matrix. She gave me claude brown's
manchild and the autobiography
she gave me claude brown's manchild and the autobiography of malcolm x.
Manchild and the autobiography of malcolm x. She said I want you to know upon
reading this that white people
she said I want you to know upon reading this that white people are not the devil.
Reading this that white people are not the devil. I read the book, I was like,
maybe she is the devil.
No, no.
Maybe she is the devil. No, no. She was very, very professional.
So she taught me that internal.
So when I say I'm barbara
so she taught me that internal. So when I say I'm barbara davidson's youngest son, it goes
so when I say I'm barbara davidson's youngest son, it goes a long way because I found out
that I'm her greatest
accomplishment.
That I'm her greatest accomplishment. All the way in high school, me
and my sister used to -- if we
all the way in high school, me and my sister used to -- if we missed the bus, we would have to
walk to school.
Missed the bus, we would have to walk to school. If you get to school late, you
would have to sign up for
if you get to school late, you would have to sign up for detention.
Would have to sign up for detention. This was a heart break day for
me, too.
So my mother comes to school
again, and she said, what is the
so my mother comes to school again, and she said, what is the problem?
Again, and she said, what is the problem? Why is my daughter being sent to
class and my son being sent to
why is my daughter being sent to class and my son being sent to detention?
Class and my son being sent to detention? He said, we didn't know that
that was your son.
She said why does that make a
difference?
She took me out of school that
day and like she does speeches,
she took me out of school that day and like she does speeches, you know.
Day and like she does speeches, you know. And she sat down with me on a
park bench and she said, I want
and she sat down with me on a park bench and she said, I want you to know something.
Park bench and she said, I want you to know something. If you want to be successful in
this world, tommy, you can't be
if you want to be successful in this world, tommy, you can't be late, but your sister can.
This world, tommy, you can't be late, but your sister can. And I was like what kind of
[ bleep ] is that?
You know?
She's like, that's the way it
you know? She's like, that's the way it is.
You know, you're going to have
to find a way to live with this
you know, you're going to have to find a way to live with this ism, she called it.
To find a way to live with this ism, she called it. She said it's a ism and not a
wasm which means it happens now.
I had identity issues turbo
because in my home the people
that I love were white, you
know?
That I love were white, you know? Outside of there, the people
that I loved were black.
But they didn't like each other.
That I loved were black. But they didn't like each other. So how do I split myself in
but they didn't like each other. So how do I split myself in half?
You know?
Half? You know? I used to hate when my mother
you know? I used to hate when my mother came around because black people
would start acting different
around me like I wasn't legit,
you know.
Around me like I wasn't legit, you know. Like you ain't black.
You know. Like you ain't black. I'll bust you in your mouth.
You know?
I came to understand it later.
If you are black, you are going
to be mad at all white people
if you are black, you are going to be mad at all white people because that's the
representation of the negative
that comes to you.
Representation of the negative that comes to you. But back then, I was in the
middle.
So I had terrible anger issues,
man.
You know, fight constantly.
Man. You know, fight constantly. I would lash out at my mother,
you know, fight constantly. I would lash out at my mother, you know.
I was extreme.
You know. I was extreme. Get your hands off me white
[ bleep ], the whole nine.
I got thrown out of my house
when I was 14 because I want to
be hanging out with my little
crew.
Be hanging out with my little crew. So I had a gun under my bed,
some money.
We were burglarizing and doing
all kinds of crazy.
She threw me out the house
because she said you're stealing
she threw me out the house because she said you're stealing from people who work.
Because she said you're stealing from people who work. Let me tell you something.
From people who work. Let me tell you something. There is only three ways to make
let me tell you something. There is only three ways to make money.
Steal or inheritance.
Money. Steal or inheritance. Black people ain't got no
steal or inheritance. Black people ain't got no inheritance.
Or you work for it.
Inheritance. Or you work for it. The third one is your best
or you work for it. The third one is your best chance.
So I went to live with somebody
else in the neighborhood, and I
so I went to live with somebody else in the neighborhood, and I wanted to get out of there fast,
and they did more housework than
we did.
And they did more housework than we did. That was a lesson for me because
everybody respected my mother.
We shot dice and talked
[ bleep ].
My mother would walk by and
everybody would straighten up
my mother would walk by and everybody would straighten up and say, hey, ms. Davidson.
Everybody would straighten up and say, hey, ms. Davidson. I would say, hi momma.
And say, hey, ms. Davidson. I would say, hi momma. And she didn't say nothing.
I tried to go home that night.
So I knock on the door.
She opened the door with the
so I knock on the door. She opened the door with the chain on.
And I was like, can I come home.
Chain on. And I was like, can I come home. She said, you can come home when
and I was like, can I come home. She said, you can come home when you got a job, boom, and slammed
she said, you can come home when you got a job, boom, and slammed the door.
You got a job, boom, and slammed the door. So I went and got a job at the
ihop and I got to come home.
It made me opposite from my
friends.
They were hustling, gold chains,
new sneakers and all this.
They used to call me the
pillsburiry dough boy because I
they used to call me the pillsburiry dough boy because I would come back to the
neighborhood with pancake batter
all over me.
Neighborhood with pancake batter all over me. Finally I was able to afford my
own sneakers and gold chain.
I started learning things that I
wasn't learning in my
neighborhood.
Wasn't learning in my neighborhood. Little stuff like, I can afford
a
little stuff like, I can afford a >>> there was an incident that
happened that I'll never forget
at ihop.
Happened that I'll never forget at ihop. There was an african woman who
lived in my neighborhood.
There was a customer, white
customer who was cussing out you
there was a customer, white customer who was cussing out you black [ bleep ].
Customer who was cussing out you black [ bleep ]. And the manager comes out and
says what's the problem.
He says this black [ bleep ].
Says what's the problem. He says this black [ bleep ]. He told her, you're out of here.
You're fired.
And I made up my mind right then
you're fired. And I made up my mind right then and there that I was never going
and I made up my mind right then and there that I was never going to put myself in a position
where racism could control my
destiny.
Where racism could control my destiny. And I worked, worked, worked at
all kinds of jobs.
And the last job I had is being
a comedian.
Is being a comedian.
A comedian. Is being a comedian. When I quit the deli that I
is being a comedian. When I quit the deli that I worked at, I made just as much
when I quit the deli that I worked at, I made just as much on hosting open
>>> the way I got into comedy
was a friend of mine, howard,
who I had known since I was
eight years old.
Who I had known since I was eight years old. I know he's the poorest person
that I have ever known.
His -- he had 11 brothers and
sisters, and they had moving
his -- he had 11 brothers and sisters, and they had moving blankets on their bed.
Sisters, and they had moving blankets on their bed. They had the nerve to get a
habit trail that's with a little
they had the nerve to get a habit trail that's with a little hamster and they had rats.
Habit trail that's with a little hamster and they had rats. But howard had known me since
that age.
Howard grew up rough.
That age. Howard grew up rough. Howard's father used to beat her
howard grew up rough. Howard's father used to beat her so bad she'd be crawling down
howard's father used to beat her so bad she'd be crawling down the hallway naked, man.
So bad she'd be crawling down the hallway naked, man. That's the kind of stuff we saw.
The hallway naked, man. That's the kind of stuff we saw. Howard saw in me what I didn't
that's the kind of stuff we saw. Howard saw in me what I didn't see in myself, which is the
howard saw in me what I didn't see in myself, which is the person that I was.
See in myself, which is the person that I was. Because my whole escape from my
situation was entertainment.
You know, I would shut the whole
school down by doing concerts
you know, I would shut the whole school down by doing concerts and singing.
School down by doing concerts and singing. I was the talented one.
And singing. I was the talented one. Years later, I got a job as an
assistant chef at a ramada inn.
So I called him.
Assistant chef at a ramada inn. So I called him. He's like, you're the stupidest
so I called him. He's like, you're the stupidest [ bleep ] I ever met in my life.
I'm like, get out of my face.
You're mad because you ain't got
no job.
Howard showed up to my house.
No job. Howard showed up to my house. I get into my dotson v-210.
It's February.
It's cold.
Howard got on the bus and said
it's cold. Howard got on the bus and said I'll be back next week.
We got in the car, went down
there.
This changed my whole life.
There. This changed my whole life. So we walking to the strip club
this changed my whole life. So we walking to the strip club and the manager looks me in the
so we walking to the strip club and the manager looks me in the face and says, is this him?
And the manager looks me in the face and says, is this him? Howard goes, yeah, that's him.
Face and says, is this him? Howard goes, yeah, that's him. He says, you got five minutes.
I looked at howard and said,
he says, you got five minutes. I looked at howard and said, what am I supposed to say.
He said I don't give a bleep
blep what you say.
Say something.
Blep what you say. Say something. From the first thing I said
say something. From the first thing I said people laughed.
I remember the first joke I did.
People laughed. I remember the first joke I did. It wasn't a joke.
It was the truth.
I said, we had roaches, so many
it was the truth. I said, we had roaches, so many roaches it would make you throw
up.
Roaches it would make you throw up. So my mother made us stay in the
house all weekend and clean up
so my mother made us stay in the house all weekend and clean up the kitchen.
House all weekend and clean up the kitchen. So me and my sister stayed in
the kitchen cleaning that
so me and my sister stayed in the kitchen cleaning that kitchen the whole weekend.
The kitchen cleaning that kitchen the whole weekend. And we didn't have no more
roaches.
But on Monday, we found out the
roaches were eating our couch.
They had moved from the kitchen
to the couch.
We were sitting there watching
cartoons and we hear all this
we were sitting there watching cartoons and we hear all this scratching and there was like
thousands of roaches under the
couch cover and everybody just
rolled.
Couch cover and everybody just rolled. And I just went from there.
Rolled. And I just went from there. I only stayed at that strip club
and I just went from there. I only stayed at that strip club for three months before
promoters started noticing.
For three months before promoters started noticing. I would open for concerts for
major acts like patty la bell,
freddie jackson.
Major acts like patty la bell, freddie jackson. Because the promoters heard I
was good.
Finally they were like, you got
to go to a comedy club.
So I went to my first comedy
club in d.C.
Sinbad was the big star.
Club in d.C. Sinbad was the big star. He won "star search," okay?
Never understood the pants.
We're all there.
When I say we're all there, all
we're all there. When I say we're all there, all the d.C. Comics are there.
None of us had grown.
The d.C. Comics are there. None of us had grown. So it is the first night I met
none of us had grown. So it is the first night I met martin.
It is the first night I met dave
chapelle.
It is the first night I met
craig frazier.
And I turned out, turned it out.
Craig frazier. And I turned out, turned it out. So finally it led to the apollo
and I turned out, turned it out. So finally it led to the apollo theater in new york.
So I went to take the greyhound
up to new york city, did the
so I went to take the greyhound up to new york city, did the apollo and won the whole joint.
Up to new york city, did the apollo and won the whole joint. I met a guy, sinclair jones who
was an attorney at the time.
He said, man, you could write
your own ticket.
You could be the biggest
superstar there is.
I'll tell you what.
Superstar there is. I'll tell you what. If I buy you a plane ticket and
take you out to l.A. For two
if I buy you a plane ticket and take you out to l.A. For two weeks and get you some gigs and
you like it, will you move there
and let me manage you?
You like it, will you move there and let me manage you? I said sure, you know, it is a
way to go, you know, to l.A.
This is when I met keenan,
damen, eddy murphy, everybody at
this is when I met keenan, damen, eddy murphy, everybody at the same time.
Damen, eddy murphy, everybody at the same time. Because it contained the baddest
comedy club in the world.
Robin harris was the m.C.
Comedy club in the world. Robin harris was the m.C. You know, and I played the ice
robin harris was the m.C. You know, and I played the ice house and went to all these
you know, and I played the ice house and went to all these places and just brought the
house down, killed it.
Places and just brought the house down, killed it. We went back, saved our money.
House down, killed it. We went back, saved our money. Got enough for about two months'
we went back, saved our money. Got enough for about two months' rent.
He'd pick me up in his nissan
sentra.
I put a glad bag full of clothes
in there and we went to l.A. And
started from scratch.
In there and we went to l.A. And started from scratch. And that's when it got hard.
Started from scratch. And that's when it got hard. It was a series of finding jobs,
and that's when it got hard. It was a series of finding jobs, you know, and just trying to
it was a series of finding jobs, you know, and just trying to make it in hollywood.
You know, and just trying to make it in hollywood. It took three long years, three
years doesn't sound like a long
it took three long years, three years doesn't sound like a long time, but catch the bus, three
busses a day, but it was all
stand up, all stand up seven
days a week.
Stand up, all stand up seven days a week. I turned down "in living color"
because all the deals I had went
away.
Because all the deals I had went away. I called robert townsend to see
if I should do this deal.
He said, do you think that's the
only money you are going to make
he said, do you think that's the only money you are going to make for the rest of your career,
take that deal.
For the rest of your career, take that deal. I had my own part on a series
called "murphy brown" where they
wrote me a part in there.
Called "murphy brown" where they wrote me a part in there. I had the role.
Wrote me a part in there. I had the role. And I chose the eddy murphy
pilot, and it tanked.
So I was left with really
nothing.
So me and my manager just went
back to the clubs where I was
so me and my manager just went back to the clubs where I was strongest.
Back to the clubs where I was strongest. And we got a call from keenan.
Strongest. And we got a call from keenan. My agent said there is a show
and we got a call from keenan. My agent said there is a show that keenan got.
He's got all the comedians on
there.
They're doing sketches.
There. They're doing sketches. I said, nah, I don't want to do
they're doing sketches. I said, nah, I don't want to do it.
And my agent, I'll never forget,
he called me and said, listen,
and my agent, I'll never forget, he called me and said, listen, just audition.
He called me and said, listen, just audition. If you get it, you get it.
Just audition. If you get it, you get it. If you don't, you don't.
So the first audition was for
if you don't, you don't. So the first audition was for sketches that I didn't know what
so the first audition was for sketches that I didn't know what that was.
Sketches that I didn't know what that was. So keenan and all the producers
sitting around they go, okay,
so keenan and all the producers sitting around they go, okay, and you are a drunk puerto rican
cabdriver.
And you are a drunk puerto rican cabdriver. You are a fat woman that ain't
got on no drawers.
They were throwing all this
stuff at me and I was trying to
they were throwing all this stuff at me and I was trying to do it.
Stuff at me and I was trying to do it. And they were like, thank you.
Do it. And they were like, thank you. Good-bye.
So I thought I was done.
But then I got a call and they
so I thought I was done. But then I got a call and they said, there is a stand up
but then I got a call and they said, there is a stand up audition at the laugh factory.
Said, there is a stand up audition at the laugh factory. I said, I got it.
Audition at the laugh factory. I said, I got it. I got this thing because can't
nobody touch me.
30 comedians.
Nobody touch me. 30 comedians. You know all of them.
Legozamo, jim carrey, the names
you know all of them. Legozamo, jim carrey, the names go on and on.
They were all th
>>> booking "in living color"
they were all th >>> booking "in living color" was like making the audition for
the x-men and [ bleep ] because
kenan was like the professor
xavier of comedy, dude.
Kenan was like the professor xavier of comedy, dude. He's a genius and he's the
genius of comedy, dude.
He took all these mutants and
put them together.
But we all were stand-ups.
Put them together. But we all were stand-ups. He was able to take all of us
but we all were stand-ups. He was able to take all of us and chisel us into a group.
The pilot didn't get picked up,
so we did this whole pilot, and
the pilot didn't get picked up, so we did this whole pilot, and I didn't feel like I was even on
the pilot.
I had done a big sketch where
sam my goes to broadway.
Sammy is mandela.
Sam my goes to broadway. Sammy is mandela. ♪ I got to be free
sammy is mandela. ♪ I got to be free ♪ mr. Steve be cool.
You know?
And it got cut from the pilot
you know? And it got cut from the pilot that we were shooting, you know,
and it got cut from the pilot that we were shooting, you know, because sammy was sick.
That we were shooting, you know, because sammy was sick. So I warmed up the audience for
"in living color" for the pilot,
so I warmed up the audience for "in living color" for the pilot, cut my shin open on a light, you
know, trying to do on stage.
Cut my shin open on a light, you know, trying to do on stage. I'm seeing everybody get down.
Know, trying to do on stage. I'm seeing everybody get down. I had one shining moment in the
pilot.
Nobody did it.
Pilot. Nobody did it. So, first of all, tommy "hitman"
nobody did it. So, first of all, tommy "hitman" her ho
so, first of all, tommy "hitman" her ho herns, he's quite a fighter.
Her ho herns, he's quite a fighter. And then it goes six months.
Herns, he's quite a fighter. And then it goes six months. We don't get picked up.
So I'm like, am I going back to
we don't get picked up. So I'm like, am I going back to the deli?
What's going to happen here.
The deli? What's going to happen here. Kenan's brilliance goes beyond
what's going to happen here. Kenan's brilliance goes beyond because kenan leaked the tape of
kenan's brilliance goes beyond because kenan leaked the tape of "in living color" to all the
other networks, so everybody
wanted the show.
Other networks, so everybody wanted the show. So it made barry and lucy who
were running fox look like
so it made barry and lucy who were running fox look like geniuses because they said, this
is ours.
Geniuses because they said, this is ours. And it scored.
Is ours. And it scored. Fox was a new network.
We were doing it in a news lot
fox was a new network. We were doing it in a news lot in kttv and freaked it.
Fox was a network, but it was a
local network regionally, you
fox was a network, but it was a local network regionally, you know, across the country.
Local network regionally, you know, across the country. So all of a sudden, you had this
huge show.
The first season and the second
season of "in living color" was
the first season and the second season of "in living color" was like comedy heaven.
Season of "in living color" was like comedy heaven. On top of that, we were the most
skilled.
We worked like the
globetrotters, man.
We could finish each other's
sentence and everybody had their
we could finish each other's sentence and everybody had their own skill.
Sentence and everybody had their own skill. David is the only person I could
ever seen that could look at
david is the only person I could ever seen that could look at something one time and make it
funny.
Something one time and make it funny. You know, jim could come up with
stuff that nobody could come up
you know, jim could come up with stuff that nobody could come up with and just rift the whole
time.
With and just rift the whole time. Jaime came along, could sing,
could do all this beautiful
jaime came along, could sing, could do all this beautiful stuff.
Could do all this beautiful stuff. Kelly was a great actress, great
sketch artist.
Kim coles was powerful.
Sketch artist. Kim coles was powerful. Damon was different.
You know, homie the clown.
Anton.
He'd always come up with a
anton. He'd always come up with a character that nobody else could
he'd always come up with a character that nobody else could do.
Character that nobody else could do. And that's regardless if
somebody is asking you questions
and that's regardless if somebody is asking you questions on camera or not.
Somebody is asking you questions on camera or not. Jaime came along when j-lo came
along.
So both of them joined the
original cast.
Jaime was hot in the clubs.
Original cast. Jaime was hot in the clubs. Jaime could do anything, man.
Jaime could play piano.
Jaime could sing his ass off.
We were at the point where we
jaime could sing his ass off. We were at the point where we were at the speed of thought.
And the thing that made "in
living color" different was
and the thing that made "in living color" different was everybody wrote.
Living color" different was everybody wrote. So the writers wrote, but if we
had the camera men, they'll
so the writers wrote, but if we had the camera men, they'll remember something.
Had the camera men, they'll remember something. So they will come in and say,
man, remember you said green
so they will come in and say, man, remember you said green apple.
Man, remember you said green apple. I was like, yeah!
Apple. I was like, yeah! And so we all would be on stage.
See?
With this show, every sketch we
see? With this show, every sketch we did, all the cast was on stage
with this show, every sketch we did, all the cast was on stage at the same time, giving ideas.
Did, all the cast was on stage at the same time, giving ideas. Even the crew.
At the same time, giving ideas. Even the crew. You know, it was just like one
even the crew. You know, it was just like one big, big, big family.
What you saw with "in living
color" is what you got.
You got a moment in time where
there was the perfect chemistry.
And kenan drove the train.
There was the perfect chemistry. And kenan drove the train. He was bad.
Kenan is not overtly funny.
Kenan is deep funny.
I'll give you an example.
I was -- and when you got an
opportunity, you got to take it.
So we'd be at the table.
Opportunity, you got to take it. So we'd be at the table. He'd have his sunglasses on, you
so we'd be at the table. He'd have his sunglasses on, you know.
And he'd say, I got something
for michael jackson.
And I'd go yeah.
For michael jackson. And I'd go yeah. I'd run upstairs, get the
and I'd go yeah. I'd run upstairs, get the writers, say let's do black and
white.
Writers, say let's do black and white. So I'd do this sketch, black and
white.
And we'd do it in one night,
record all the songs for the
and we'd do it in one night, record all the songs for the video, come back, run through it
before we're going to shoot it.
Video, come back, run through it before we're going to shoot it. So I do this whole scene where
I'm going down the sidewalk and
so I do this whole scene where I'm going down the sidewalk and kenan's eating his oatmeal and
he's following me down this
sidewalk.
He's following me down this sidewalk. So he says, okay, right here
hopscotch.
And then I walk a little further
and he says, okay, here -- you
and then I walk a little further and he says, okay, here -- you guys got a fan?
And he says, okay, here -- you guys got a fan? Yeah.
Guys got a fan? Yeah. The wind is going to blow you
yeah. The wind is going to blow you down.
He said, but you get by this
car, try to break the window but
he said, but you get by this car, try to break the window but it doesn't break and do a
michael sound.
It doesn't break and do a michael sound. You know?
Michael sound. You know? And then he says, at the end,
you know? And then he says, at the end, let me see what the end look
and then he says, at the end, let me see what the end look like.
Let me see what the end look like. And he said, so when the police
put you in handcuffs, because
and he said, so when the police put you in handcuffs, because the whole thing was the song
black and white --
♪ I made a million by the time
I was ten
♪ I wrote a love song
♪ I played with new animals.
>> this whole thing, right?
He says at the end when the
police put the handcuffs on you,
he says at the end when the police put the handcuffs on you, you go, I guess I am black.
Police put the handcuffs on you, you go, I guess I am black. And everybody just roll.
You go, I guess I am black. And everybody just roll. That's the kind of
and everybody just roll. That's the kind of >>> working with jada pinkett
that's the kind of >>> working with jada pinkett smith was like working with a
really fine mouse.
Smith was like working with a really fine mouse. No.
Really fine mouse. No. I'm just playing.
I'm just playing.
Well, first of all, it was an
evolution for me because I was
well, first of all, it was an evolution for me because I was this really strong comic in
movies.
This really strong comic in movies. Booty call, strictly business,
all the movies I had, I was
booty call, strictly business, all the movies I had, I was comedy lead.
All the movies I had, I was comedy lead. This was the first romantic
comedy.
So I get this beautiful role,
which is something that I wanted
so I get this beautiful role, which is something that I wanted to do.
Which is something that I wanted to do. All of the decisions that I made
in my career were conscious
all of the decisions that I made in my career were conscious decisions.
In my career were conscious decisions. I got -- I did "strictly
business" because I felt like
the black community needed a
science fiction movie, so the
movie was about black people
working together.
Movie was about black people working together. Then, you know, "booty call," I
wanted to work with jaime.
I knew that we would kill that.
Wanted to work with jaime. I knew that we would kill that. It was a straight up "animal
house" cult classic.
I wanted to do "whoo" because I
wanted to carve myself into more
meaning roles, you know, more
dramatic roles, and this was a
good segue to that.
Dramatic roles, and this was a good segue to that. I ended up rewriting the end.
Good segue to that. I ended up rewriting the end. But I always re-wrote all the
movies that I had.
So I had conceived an ending
because it wasn't right.
And this was the first week of
shooting.
And jada was like, yeah, yeah,
okay.
But what happened was the
director got fired because the
but what happened was the director got fired because the end sucked.
Director got fired because the end sucked. And, so, jada called me and
said, tommy, do you remember
and, so, jada called me and said, tommy, do you remember that ending that you told me?
Said, tommy, do you remember that ending that you told me? Because this could save the
movie?
I said of course I do.
Movie? I said of course I do. So she calls me, me, mike de
luca, the new director and jada
so she calls me, me, mike de luca, the new director and jada were in a teleconference and I
gave them the rewrite word by
word, page by page, and it
turned out good.
Word, page by page, and it turned out good. It was an easy fix because we
have a romantic comedy where the
it was an easy fix because we have a romantic comedy where the couple doesn't come together at
the end.
Couple doesn't come together at the end. So it's just basically us
kissing in the middle of the
so it's just basically us kissing in the middle of the street.
Kissing in the middle of the street. And the kiss caused some
conflict because will got a
and the kiss caused some conflict because will got a little upset.
Conflict because will got a little upset. But I didn't know it at the
time.
All I know is I was in jada's
trailer and will came in and was
all I know is I was in jada's trailer and will came in and was like, I don't appreciate that
[ bleep ] man and was up in my
face.
He said, yeah, yeah, yeah.
Face. He said, yeah, yeah, yeah. Maybe we need to [ bleep ] talk
he said, yeah, yeah, yeah. Maybe we need to [ bleep ] talk about that, you know?
And after a little while, I was
like, you know, you're right.
Let's get out of here and talk
about that.
Jada was like, no, no, no.
About that. Jada was like, no, no, no. He said he want to talk about
jada was like, no, no, no. He said he want to talk about it.
And I never knew what it was.
It. And I never knew what it was. I never knew.
But he was urging we have a
conversation.
You know what I mean?
Conversation. You know what I mean? And after what I been through in
you know what I mean? And after what I been through in d.C., I learned how to talk real
and after what I been through in d.C., I learned how to talk real well.
D.C., I learned how to talk real well. So, you know, so I'm willing to
have this talk.
And it got stymied because jada
was like, no.
I wrote my book.
Was like, no. I wrote my book. I couldn't get something in the
book about somebody else that
they didn't approve.
Book about somebody else that they didn't approve. So this is the first time, and
this is 18 years later, maybe 20
so this is the first time, and this is 18 years later, maybe 20 years later, I described this
scene on paper and sent it to
will and jada.
Scene on paper and sent it to will and jada. This was before they were
married, and they okayed it.
And that was the first time I
realized what had happened was
and that was the first time I realized what had happened was we were down to the last days of
the shoot.
We were down to the last days of the shoot. Of course I re-wrote that last
kiss.
And you're not going to do a
scene where you kiss a woman
and you're not going to do a scene where you kiss a woman without rehearsing it if you're
not with her in a relationship
or whatever.
Not with her in a relationship or whatever. So we never rehearsed it.
Or whatever. So we never rehearsed it. So I was like, I got to rehearse
so we never rehearsed it. So I was like, I got to rehearse this with jada before we do
so I was like, I got to rehearse this with jada before we do that.
This with jada before we do that. I said, I'm not going to do it
unless me and her talk.
So they went outside of my
trailer and came back and said,
so they went outside of my trailer and came back and said, she said it's okay.
Trailer and came back and said, she said it's okay. She said go for it.
She said it's okay. She said go for it. You know.
But I went a little bit further
you know. But I went a little bit further than what could have been
but I went a little bit further than what could have been rehearsed.
Than what could have been rehearsed. You know what I mean?
Rehearsed. You know what I mean? And I felt her a little tight or
you know what I mean? And I felt her a little tight or whatever, but it was an acting
and I felt her a little tight or whatever, but it was an acting thing.
Whatever, but it was an acting thing. You know, it was awkward.
Thing. You know, it was awkward. I just found out that that was
you know, it was awkward. I just found out that that was the deal after all that time,
you know?
The deal after all that time, you know? And if you're dealing with --
with a positive personally like
and if you're dealing with -- with a positive personally like will's, it was very redeeming
for him to say, yeah, that's
what really happened.
For him to say, yeah, that's what really happened. I met spike.
What really happened. I met spike. I met spike lee in brooklyn.
I got a "do the right thing"
hat.
Never met him in my life.
Hat. Never met him in my life. I just came from his store,
never met him in my life. I just came from his store, buying all his gear.
So excited to meet him.
Buying all his gear. So excited to meet him. As I was leaving the store he
so excited to meet him. As I was leaving the store he ws walking down the street.
I said, oh, hey, spike.
Ws walking down the street. I said, oh, hey, spike. I'm tommy davidson.
He said, I know who you are.
He said you on that show that
he said, I know who you are. He said you on that show that ain't about [ bleep ].
Those jewish writers wouldn't
let us talk about their leaders
those jewish writers wouldn't let us talk about their leaders like that.
Let us talk about their leaders like that. I was like, maybe you're right.
Like that. I was like, maybe you're right. Maybe you're wrong.
I'm just on the show.
I'm not a writer, you know?
And he just walked away.
I fought every propensity to
and he just walked away. I fought every propensity to kick him in his mother --
[ bleep ] back.
Kick him in his mother -- [ bleep ] back. And he's got a hunch back, so I
could have caught it just right,
and he's got a hunch back, so I could have caught it just right, you know?
Could have caught it just right, you know? And I didn't do it.
You know? And I didn't do it. And I'm glad I didn't.
So there was a live rock episode
and I'm glad I didn't. So there was a live rock episode where I played a homeless guy.
I was able to do a dramatic
role, and he was there.
And what I learned from my
mother, man.
If you have a problem with
somebody, you can actually talk
if you have a problem with somebody, you can actually talk to them or try.
Somebody, you can actually talk to them or try. I went to him and said, man, you
really hurt my feelings when I
was in brooklyn the first time I
met with you.
Was in brooklyn the first time I met with you. Here I am with all your gear on
and you like flawed me.
He was like, really man?
And you like flawed me. He was like, really man? Oh, man, I'm sorry, man.
And we were cool from then on.
And he came to me to star in
and we were cool from then on. And he came to me to star in "bamboozled."
and he came to me to star in "bamboozled." that's how it happened.
I went and did this movie with
him.
Got to work with jada again,
too.
Now she's married.
Too. Now she's married. She got a kid.
Oh, yeah, I got to work with
she got a kid. Oh, yeah, I got to work with damen again.
Damon is so abstract with what
he does.
It is like you don't know how he
does it, but he's just as funny
it is like you don't know how he does it, but he's just as funny as hell.
Does it, but he's just as funny as hell. I remember, I'll never forget
this, I froze on camera the
first day of "in living color"
because I realized that
everything I worked for was
happening.
Everything I worked for was happening. And I couldn't talk.
Happening. And I couldn't talk. They went "action," I was like
and I couldn't talk. They went "action," I was like cut!
Tommy, start again.
Cut! Tommy, start again. Okay.
And I was sweating and it all
okay. And I was sweating and it all was coming down to that moment.
And damon made his way to me and
he said, come here, man.
He looked me in my face and he
said, [ bleep ], you worked your
he looked me in my face and he said, [ bleep ], you worked your ass off for this.
Said, [ bleep ], you worked your ass off for this. You got your whole family
counting on you.
You funny as hell.
Counting on you. You funny as hell. And then he said, but the main
you funny as hell. And then he said, but the main thing is, he said, you deserve
and then he said, but the main thing is, he said, you deserve it.
Thing is, he said, you deserve it. You really dese
>>> a lot of incidents happened
you really dese >>> a lot of incidents happened to be in the acting realm, and
malcolm and eddy was a big one.
To be in the acting realm, and malcolm and eddy was a big one. We were doing a rehearsal.
Malcolm and eddy was a big one. We were doing a rehearsal. It was a bar brawl, you know,
we were doing a rehearsal. It was a bar brawl, you know, and we were going by the
it was a bar brawl, you know, and we were going by the numbers.
And we were going by the numbers. It is a real mug.
Numbers. It is a real mug. So we're rehearsing.
He ducks.
He ducks, right?
So in the final rehearsal, eddy
he ducks, right? So in the final rehearsal, eddy griffin forgets to duck when I
so in the final rehearsal, eddy griffin forgets to duck when I swing the mug and, bam, I hit
him right in his mouth.
Swing the mug and, bam, I hit him right in his mouth. I thought he was eating corn
chips or something because all
this white stuff flew out of his
mouth.
This white stuff flew out of his mouth. He went like that and all his
teeth were gone.
I was like holy mother jesus
lord.
And I messed up the whole shoot.
Lord. And I messed up the whole shoot. A really good friend of mine
and I messed up the whole shoot. A really good friend of mine worked with a dental tech in
a really good friend of mine worked with a dental tech in beverly hills.
Worked with a dental tech in beverly hills. I called him and I said, man,
can you fix eddy's teeth?
And so he said if you send him
down here right now, you know,
and so he said if you send him down here right now, you know, give me a couple hours, I'll get
to it.
Give me a couple hours, I'll get to it. I'm feeling so bad.
To it. I'm feeling so bad. He comes back and his teeth are
there.
I'm like, man, I'm so sorry.
There. I'm like, man, I'm so sorry. And he said, yeah, man.
It's all right, man.
You know, it took a couple of
it's all right, man. You know, it took a couple of hours because I had to soak them
you know, it took a couple of hours because I had to soak them new teeth, tobacco and beer for
a few hours for them to match my
teeth.
A few hours for them to match my teeth. I was like, we
>>> I'm very proud of my children because they're really a reflection of my family, you
know?
A reflection of my family, you know? And I think -- I think the
greatest thing about my kids is
and I think -- I think the greatest thing about my kids is watching them how they treat
others.
Watching them how they treat others. You know, they're some of the
most kind, compassionate,
you know, they're some of the most kind, compassionate, loving, understanding people I
know.
Loving, understanding people I know. And they did very well, you
know.
Half of them graduated, you
know, marquette, you know, one
half of them graduated, you know, marquette, you know, one of them was in yale and dropped
out but then she went to unlv.
Of them was in yale and dropped out but then she went to unlv. She's a director.
Out but then she went to unlv. She's a director. They're all happy.
They're all doing something
they're all happy. They're all doing something worthwhile.
And I remember what I passed on
to them was what my mother told
and I remember what I passed on to them was what my mother told me.
To them was what my mother told me. I lost a job that was connected
to college.
Okay?
To college. Okay? And she cried so hard when I
okay? And she cried so hard when I told her I lost that job because
and she cried so hard when I told her I lost that job because she wanted me to go to college,
you know?
She wanted me to go to college, you know? And she turned to me and she
said, you know what, tommy.
Me crying is selfish because
when I pulled you out of trash
me crying is selfish because when I pulled you out of trash can, I wanted you to go to
college.
Can, I wanted you to go to college. She said that was selfish of me.
College. She said that was selfish of me. That was the goal I wanted for
she said that was selfish of me. That was the goal I wanted for you.
She said, as long as you do
something that makes you happy
she said, as long as you do something that makes you happy and you're not hurting anybody,
you're a positive contributor to
this society and so this world,
I'm good.
This society and so this world, I'm good. And that's the way I raised my
kids.
You know?
Kids. You know? I was able to pass that on to
you know? I was able to pass that on to them.
You know?
Them. You know? And my family is -- is an
you know? And my family is -- is an interwoven piece of this whole
and my family is -- is an interwoven piece of this whole world.
Interwoven piece of this whole world. My cousin married a central
american.
Me, you know, one of the moms is
cuban, block.
My youngest baby is mixed white,
you know.
If you look at my family, at my
mother's service, you'd think
if you look at my family, at my mother's service, you'd think you were at the un.
Mother's service, you'd think you were at the un. And she had this ceremony where
she picked these african singers
and she had this ceremony where she picked these african singers to sing this traditional song,
you know.
To sing this traditional song, you know. And her request was to have
having hold hands in a circle,
and her request was to have having hold hands in a circle, you know, and just close their
eyes and give each other love,
you know?
Eyes and give each other love, you know? That's what I see in my children
there.
And, so, when I say I'm barbara
davidson's youngest son, that's
and, so, when I say I'm barbara davidson's youngest son, that's who I am.
Davidson's youngest son, that's who I am. I really am.
Who I am. I really am. Looking at the multicultural
crowd that gathered for my
looking at the multicultural crowd that gathered for my mother's life celebration,
haitian, puerto rican, african,
asian, white.
Haitian, puerto rican, african, asian, white. White is not just one kind of
white.
White can be boston, dallas.
White. White can be boston, dallas. Can be ireland, you know.
White is a color, too.
And seeing all that reminded me
white is a color, too. And seeing all that reminded me of me and my sister sitting on
and seeing all that reminded me of me and my sister sitting on that windowsill.
Of me and my sister sitting on that windowsill. We lived on the fourth floor and
we're sitting out the window,
we lived on the fourth floor and we're sitting out the window, and it reminded me of what we
knew our future was going to be
like because this song when
people moving out, moving people
in, yeah, are because of the
same color of their skin.