 "I've always just gravitated toward storytelling, and with
the early inspiration of such comedic 'storytellers' as Richard Pryor, George
Carlin and Bill Cosby, I knew that I had made the right choice, and I always
wanted an occupation that made sense for me," says stand-up comedian/actor
Rondell Sheridan.
He has the ability to transform ordinary occurrences into hilarious and hearty
tales. In an age where stand-up is under attack for its bawdy content, Rondell
Sheridan disarms his audiences with a wholesome ease, a mixture of playful
physicality, facial expressions and a gift to continually shift comedic gears
and personas.
Born and raised on the South side of Chicago, Rondell Sheridan attended
Marquette University in Milwaukee as an Interpersonal Communications major with
a minor in Advertising. After college, he went with a gut feeling and schmoozed
his way into an audition with the prestigious New York acting school, Circle in
the Square. With raw talent and a little good fortune, the novice actor was
accepted to the program. He spent one year at the school honing his acting
skills before moving on to perform in repertory work, regional theatre and
off-Broadway productions.
The high point of his early career was creating a character in the original
off-Broadway production of Leslie Lee's, "Between Now and Then."
A party in New York transformed Sheridan's life. There he met an intriguing
woman who was a stand-up comedian, and with whom he became extremely infatuated.
After spending many nights in New York's comedy clubs watching her perform,
Rondell Sheridan felt that he could amuse people with his agile facial
expressions and humble sense of humor. Although he did not get the girl, a star
was born!
Comedy Central's "Lounge Lizards" marked Rondell Sheridan's third comedy special
in six years. Add to that appearances on the "Tonight Show" with both Jay Leno
and Johnny Carson, the "Conan O'Brien Show," "Politically Incorrect," several
Showtime Specials, and of course, his very own sitcom "Minor Adjustments" and
you have one of the most popular comics of the 90's.
"Minor Adjustments" was co-created by Sheridan and will forever be remembered as
the first and only show to premiere on one network (NBC) then to be sold and
aired on a second (UPN) during the same TV season. The show proved to be a
perfect vehicle for Rondell Sheridan. It was a family comedy described as a
cross between "The Bob Newhart Show" and "The Cosby Show." Sheridan portrayed a
child psychologist, who was the voice of sanity amongst his dysfunctional
co-workers, family and friends.
His additional television credits include guest starring roles in the series
"Where I Live" and "A Different World." Sheridan has performed stand up comedy
on "Comic Strip Live," "Motown On Campus," "Arsenio Hall Show," "A Pair of
Jokers" and "Stand-Up Sit Down." His theater credits include Off-Broadway
productions of "Between Now and Then" and "Satyricon."
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