DAVID ALAN GRIER (Virgil Peeples) received his third Tony Award-nomination in 2012 for his "stand-out role of the rakish, drug-dealing Sporting Life" (NY Times) in The Gershwin's Porgy & Bess.  In 2009/2010 Grier starred in David Mamet's acclaimed play RACE opposite James Spader and Kerry Washington at the Ethel Barrymore Theatre on Broadway for which he received his second Tony Award nomination.  He was previously nominated for Best Featured Actor in a Musical and won the Theatre World Award for The First, and drew acclaim for his stage performances in Dreamgirls, A Soldier's Play, A Funny Thing Happened on the Way to the Forum.  Grier received an MFA from the Yale School of Drama.

His television work is highlighted by a turn as principal cast member on the Emmy Award® winning "In Living Color" (1990–1994) where he helped to create some of the show's most memorable characters, "DAG" (2000–2001) and "Life with Bonnie" (2003) which earned an Image and Golden Satellite nomination. David created, wrote and executive produced a show for Comedy Central called "Chocolate News (2008)."

 Grier made his film debut in Streamers (1983), directed by Robert Altman for which he won the Golden Lion for Best Actor at the Venice Film Festival. He appeared in the Wayans Brothers' spoof movie Dance Flick (2009).

 In Grier's first book, BARACK LIKE ME: The Chocolate Covered Truth (Touchstone / Simon & Schuster; October 6, 2009), the acclaimed comedian expounds on politics, culture and race while recounting his own life story in this edgy, timely, timeless, and hilarious memoir and look at all things Barack.