 Bright and energetic comedian Eddie Griffin, at one time named "the king of hip-hop stand-ups", won over a large audience with his straight-talking comedy routines, but reached even more people as an actor, excelling especially in comedic roles, but proving more than capable of dramatic fare as well. As star of "Malcolm & Eddie", one of UPN's most successful and long-running sitcoms, Griffin was able to try his hand at other facets of the entertainment industry, serving as writer, producer and director of select episodes, as well as co-writing the theme song with co-star and former "Cosby" kid Malcolm-Jamal Warner. The comedian also toured with Robert Townsend and The Dells, in a 1991 music and comedy revue to promote Townsend's film "The Five Heartbeats". He would work again with Townsend with a guest spot on his short-lived Fox TV series "Townsend Television" and as co-star of his urban superhero comedy "The Meteor Man" (both 1993). Griffin landed more TV work, appearing on the network's "Roc" as a intimidating hustler in 1993. The following year, he headlined his own CableACE award nominated special, "HBO Comedy Half-Hour: Eddie Griffin". Also in 1994, he proved his acting skills with a memorable performance as Rat in the gripping inner-city set drama "Jason's Lyric", starring Allen Payne. Griffin reteamed with Payne in 1995's "The Walking Dead", both playing African-American soldiers in this Vietnam War drama. In 1996, Griffin landed the sitcom role that would make his uniquely expressive face a familiar one in many more American homes. On "Malcolm & Eddie" (UPN, 1996-2000), Griffin portrayed Eddie Sherman, a freewheeling twentysomething tow-truck driver who forges a friendship and later goes into business with polar opposite Malcolm McGee, an aspiring sports commentator. In 1997, he returned to HBO with the highly-rated hour-long comedy special "Eddie Griffin: Voodoo Child". The following year saw him take on a part in the summer action blockbuster "Armageddon", starring Bruce Willis, who the actor worked with seven years earlier in the action vehicle "The Last Boy Scout". Having proved himself on the stand-up circuit and as an actor with varied film roles and a successful television series, Griffin lensed a spate of films in 1999, including "Picking Up the Pieces", with Woody Allen and Sharon Stone, "Deuce", starring Rob Schneider, and "The Second Coming of Sammy", starring as a homeless man with the gift of prophecy. These roles, added to Griffin's illustrious stand-up career (with two albums already under his belt) and his thriving sitcom work both as an actor and in various behind-the-scenes capacities would promise the young performer a prosperous future.
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