Jermaine Fowler
High-energy, full-body storytelling from a comic who refuses to be cynical.
1 special · 2015
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Watch Jermaine Fowler on stage and you notice the grin first. He performs with the eager energy of someone pulling you aside at a party to share a wild story. He rarely stands still. He paces, leans heavily on the mic stand, and interrupts his own sentences with a high, genuine laugh. When he recounts a conversation, he doesn’t just quote the other person. He drops into their posture, turning a standard anecdote into a physical sketch.
Specials
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An energetic homecoming set interspersed with family interviews.
Showtime · 56 min
On stage
Because he works so steadily as an actor, landing in network sitcoms and ensemble features like The Blackening, it is easy to forget his foundation as a touring comic. He is one of those performers who crossed over into Hollywood without letting his stage muscles atrophy.
His material stays tightly focused on the people he actually knows. His special Give ‘Em Hell, Kid literally cuts away to documentary footage of the friends and family he jokes about, a move that proves exactly how accurate his onstage mimicry is. He builds long routines out of mundane struggles, like surviving a shift at Quizno’s or navigating his twin brother’s eccentricities. He doesn’t do malice on stage. Even when detailing absolute dysfunction, he looks thrilled just to be talking about it.
He grew up in Maryland and took a bus to New York at twenty to grind out open mics. That early hustle remains visible in his rhythm. He doesn’t coast on charm, throwing his shoulders and voice into every punchline until the story is done.
Turning points
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Debut Special Give 'Em Hell, Kid on Showtime
Fowler produced and starred in his debut comedy special incorporating documentary interludes with his family, which he licensed to Showtime.
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Executive Producing and Starring in Superior Donuts
Fowler landed the starring role and executive producer credit on the CBS sitcom Superior Donuts, playing Franco Wicks for two seasons.
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Starring as Prince Lavelle in Coming 2 America
Fowler secured the high-profile leading film role playing Eddie Murphy's long-lost son in the comedy sequel Coming 2 America.
At a glance
- Born
- , Washington, D.C.
- On stage
- since 2012
- Style
- storytelling, autobiographical
- Breakout
- Give 'Em Hell, Kid
- Influences
- Patrice O'Neal, John Mulaney, Whoopi Goldberg, Keith Robinson
- Topics
- Elsewhere
- Website, Wikipedia
Fans also like
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Lil Rel HoweryFowler co-starred with Lil Rel Howery on truTV's sketch comedy series Friends of the People and shares a grounded, autobiographical style of humor.
Also on screen
- Friends of the People
- 2017–2018
- Superior Donuts
- 2017–2019
- Crashing
- Sorry to Bother You
- Coming 2 America
A clip to start with
A clip of Jermaine Fowler