Deray Davis is an American stand-up comedian and actor who rose to fame in the early 2000s. He is best known for his stand-up comedy routines and appearances on comedy shows like BET’s ComicView. In recent years, Davis has continued performing stand-up and has also branched out into acting. Here is an overview of what Deray Davis is doing now in 2023.
Stand-Up Comedy
Stand-up comedy remains Davis’ main focus. He continues to tour and perform his stand-up routines at comedy clubs, theaters, and festivals across the United States. Some of his recent and upcoming shows include:
- The Arlington Draft House in Arlington, TX in October 2022
- The Addison Improv in Addison, TX in November 2022
- The Ontario Improv in Ontario, CA in January 2023
- The Miami Improv in Miami, FL in March 2023
Davis covers topics like relationships, family, current events, politics, and more in his stand-up sets. He is known for his high energy and charismatic stage presence. Critics have praised his ability to find humor in serious topics and connect with audiences of all backgrounds.
Television Appearances
In addition to stand-up shows, Davis makes regular appearances on comedy/talk shows. Some of his recent TV appearances include:
- Last Comic Standing (2022) – He served as a judge on the revival season of the comedy competition show on NBC.
- The Late Late Show with James Corden (2022) – He appeared as a guest for an interview segment.
- Jimmy Kimmel Live! (2021) – He made a stand-up appearance on the late night talk show.
- Lights Out with David Spade (2021) – He was a guest and performed stand-up.
Davis uses these TV spots to promote his live shows, chat about his life and career, and do short comedy sets. These types of appearances help raise his profile and introduce him to new audiences.
Film Acting
In addition to comedy, Davis has started breaking into film acting. Some of his recent and upcoming movie roles include:
- School’s Out Forever (2021) – He played a supporting role in this action comedy film.
- Opened Handed (TBA 2023) – He is set to star in this indie drama about a chance encounter between two strangers.
- White Dave Chappelle (TBA 2024) – He will play the lead role in this satirical comedy film.
Taking dramatic film roles represents a new challenge for Davis. Critics have praised his versatile acting abilities, but comedic roles still remain his main focus.
Podcasts & Other Media
Davis has worked on a few comedy/media projects outside of stand-up and acting. These include:
- Deray Davis: World War D (2019 – Present) – This is Davis’ weekly one-hour podcast where he discusses current events, relationships, sports, and more with comedian friends.
- Deray Davis: Life Lessons (2021) – He co-hosted this 8-episode Audible original podcast focused on parenting.
- Go-Big Show (2021) – He served as a recurring judge for this TBS reality competition show.
Podcasts and judging gigs allow Davis to take on project outside his normal stand-up/acting routine. Fans can appreciate his quick wit and commentary skills in these types of appearances.
Personal Life
When he’s not performing or acting, Deray Davis lives a relatively low-key life with his family. He has two children with his ex-girlfriend and currently resides in Los Angeles, CA. Davis stays busy working on new material for his stand-up routines and upcoming projects.
In interviews, Davis has stressed the importance of focusing on his craft, staying humble, and challenging himself with new experiences. Even after decades in the business, he still sees room for improvement in his comedy and acting abilities.
Recent Controversy
In September 2022, Davis generated some controversy for jokes he made during a stand-up set about the assault on comedian Dave Chappelle. Critics said the jokes made light of violence and were in poor taste. Davis later apologized on social media for the remarks.
The incident sparked some debate about boundaries in comedy. But it does not seem to have impacted Davis’ career much long-term. He has continued booking shows and television appearances.
Future Plans
Going forward, Davis plans to focus on the following projects:
- Releasing his third stand-up special – He currently has two specials streaming on Netflix, but has enough new material for a third.
- A new television project – He has hinted at a scripted comedy series in the works, but details are still under wraps.
- More dramatic film roles – Look for Davis to appear in more indie dramas and thrillers as he tries to break out of just comedic roles.
- A memoir – Davis has mentioned wanting to write a book focused on his career and life lessons learned.
Even after decades in show business, Davis is keeping very active. Fans can expect much more stand-up, acting, podcasts, and other content from him in the coming years.
Conclusion
In summary, Deray Davis continues to thrive as a successful stand-up comedian and actor. He is touring regularly, making television and film appearances, and working on new podcast/media projects. Davis balances his professional work with family life in Los Angeles.
While he faced some criticism in 2022, it does not seem to have impacted his career much. Going forward, fans can expect more stand-up specials, a possible TV series, dramatic acting roles, and other content from Davis.
Now in his 40s, Davis shows no signs of slowing down. His versatility as a performer and ability to reinvent himself should ensure many more successful years in the entertainment business.
