Deon Cole

Deon Cole
Cole in 2016
Born
Deon Anthony Cole

(1972-01-09) January 9, 1972 (age 52)
Chicago, Illinois, U.S.
EducationThornridge High School
Alma materPhilander Smith College
Occupations
  • Comedian
  • actor
  • screenwriter
Years active1993–present
Children1
Websitedeoncole.com

Deon Anthony Cole (born January 9, 1972) is an American comedian, actor and screenwriter. He is best known for his role in the sitcom Black-ish (2014–2022), which earned him nominations for two NAACP Image Awards and two Screen Actors Guild Awards. On June 25, 2020, he became the second panelist to win the Doris Award on the ABC version of To Tell the Truth. He stars in Average Joe.[1]

Cole was nominated for two Primetime Emmy Awards for co-writing the late-night talk shows The Tonight Show with Conan O'Brien and Conan; for the latter, he was also nominated for three Writers Guild of America Awards.

Early life

Cole was born in Roseland in Chicago on January 9, 1972.[2] He was educated at Thornridge High School and earned an acting degree from Philander Smith College.[citation needed]

Career

Cole started in comedy when a friend bet him $50 that he would not get up on stage one night in Chicago.[3] Cole was on the writing staff for The Tonight Show with Conan O'Brien from 2009 to 2010,[2][4] and he worked as a writer for Conan from 2010 to 2012.[5] He has appeared frequently in comedic bits for both broadcasts, and he has, along with the rest of the staff, received two Primetime Emmy nominations. Cole also performed on Conan O'Brien's "The Legally Prohibited from Being Funny on Television Tour" in 2010.[6]

In February 2010, Cole performed on Comic Aid Haiti, a comedy performance that benefited victims of the 2010 Haiti earthquake.[7]

Cole was on the cast of Angie Tribeca from 2016 to 2018. Cole is part of a television ad campaign for Old Spice body wash, alongside actress/comedian Gabrielle Dennis.[citation needed]

Cole has a recurring role on the ABC sitcom Black-ish as Charlie Telphy. Cole was promoted to a main role beginning with season 4. He then made some appearances in the Black-ish's spin-off Grown-ish.[citation needed]

Cole has performed stand up on other programs such as John Oliver's New York Stand-Up Show, Mash Up and Lopez Tonight. Cole created his own production company, Coled Blooded, to produce the sketch comedy show Deon Cole's Black Box.[8] It premiered on June 10, 2013, on TBS, but it was canceled on October 25, 2013.[9] Cole hosted the game show Face Value on BET in 2017.

In 2017, he performed in a half-hour set in the Netflix original series The Standups.[citation needed]

In October 2019, Netflix released a stand-up special called Deon Cole: Cole Hearted.[10]

On June 25, 2020, Cole appeared on To Tell the Truth and won the Doris Award, becoming the second panelist to do so.[citation needed]

On May 6, 2023, Cole received an Honorary Doctorate of Humane Letters from his alma mater Philander Smith College in Little Rock, Arkansas. [11] [12]

Personal life

Cole has a son, Dylan.[13] Cole is a single parent who keeps things private regarding his son's mother.[14]

Filmography

Film

Cole performing in 2011
Year Title Role Notes
2002 Barbershop Dante
2003 A Lover for My Husband Cab Driver
2004 Barbershop 2: Back in Business Dante
2005 The Evil One Dejuan Video
A Get2Gether Jesse
2016 Barbershop: The Next Cut Dante
2017 The Female Brain Steven
2019 Holiday Rush Marshall Stone
2020 2 Minutes of Fame Nico
Friendsgiving Dan
2021 I'm Fine (Thanks for Asking) Chad
Welcome Matt Norman
The Harder They Fall Wiley Escoe
2023 You People Demetrius
A Snowy Day in Oakland Davis
The Color Purple Alfonso Harris

Television

Year Title Role Notes
2003 Laffapalooza Himself Episode: "Laffapalooza Volume 5"
2005 The World Stands Up Himself Episode: "Episode #2.1" & "#2.11"
2005–09 1st Amendment Stand Up Himself Recurring Guest
2006 Def Comedy Jam Himself Episode: "Episode #7.10"
2007 Comedy Central Presents Himself Episode: "Deon Cole"
Wild 'n Out Himself Main Cast: Season 4
Nick Cannon Presents: Short Circuitz The Negotiator Sketch Episode: "Episode #1.1"
2008 The Funny Spot Himself Episode: "Episode #1.1"
2010–19 Laugh Factory Himself Recurring Guest
2011 Funny as Hell Himself Episode: "Episode #1.2"
New York Stand-Up Show Himself Episode: "Episode #2.2" & "#2.3"
The League Mugger Episode: "The Light of Genesis"
2012 Mash Up Himself Episode: "Episode #1.2"
ComicView Himself Episode: "Kevin Hart/Deon Cole/Felipe Esparza"
2013 Deon Cole's Black Box Himself/Host Main Host
In Bed with Joan Himself Episode: "Deon Cole"
2013–14 @midnight Himself Episode: "Episode #1.4" & "#2.79"
2014 Mind of a Man Himself/Panelist Recurring Panelist
@midnight Himself/Panelist Episode: "Episode #2.79"
Benched Diamond Episode: "Diamond is a Girl's Worst Friend"
2014–22 Black-ish Charlie Telphy Recurring Cast: Season 1-3, Main Cast: Season 4-8
2015 The Nightly Show with Larry Wilmore Himself/Panelist Episode: "Joe Biden's Rumored Presidential Run"
The Soup Himself Episode: "Episode #12.35"
2016–18 Angie Tribeca Det. Daniel "DJ" Tanner Main Cast: Season 1-3, Guest: Season 4
2017 Annual Trumpet Awards Himself/Co-Host Main Co-Host
The Standups Himself Episode: "With Deon Cole"
All Def Comedy Himself Episode: "Episode #1.6"
Face Value Himself/Host Main Host
2017–19 Hip Hop Squares Himself/Panelist Recurring Guest
2018 Lip Sync Battle Himself/Competitor Episode: "Karrueche Tran vs. Deon Cole"
Wild 'n Out Himself/Co-Team Captain Episode: "Trevor Jackson/Deon Cole"
All About the Washingtons Darnell Bell Episode: "You Gots the Chills"
2018–22 Grown-ish Charlie Telphy Main Cast: Season 1-2, Recurring Cast: Season 3-4
2019 A Black Lady Sketch Show Pastor Venmo Stacks Episode: "Why Are Her Pies Wet, Lord?"
2020 The Cabin with Bert Kreischer Himself Episode: "No Pain, No Gain"
I Can See Your Voice Himself/Panelist Episode: "Episode #1.7"
Kipo and the Age of Wonderbeasts Dave (voice) Main Cast
2020–21 To Tell the Truth Himself/Panelist Recurring Guest
2021 Soul of a Nation Himself Recurring Guest: Season 1
Celebrity Family Feud Himself/Celebrity Contestant Episode: "Episode #8.7"
South Side Malachi Washington-Carter Episode: "Chicago's #1 Party Promoter"
2021–22 To Tell the Truth Himself/Co-Host Main Co-Host
2022 So Dumb It's Criminal: Hosted by Snoop Dogg Himself Episode: "Luce Stools" & "Less Than Decent Exposure"
Urban Eats and Treats Himself Episode: "Deon Cole"
Juneteenth: A Global Celebration for Freedom Himself/Host Main Host
Celebrity Game Face Himself Episode: "Kevin's BFFs"
Uncensored Himself Episode: "Deon Cole"
Soul Train Music Awards Himself/Host Main Host
2023 Black Pop: Celebrating the Power of Black Culture Himself Recurring Guest
The $100,000 Pyramid Himself/Celebrity Player Episode: "Episode #6.13"
See It Loud: The History of Black Television Himself Recurring Guest
Name That Tune Himself/Contestant Episode: "Tunes and the City"
Celebrity Squares Himself Episode: "Your Butt, Your Choice America"
2023– Average Joe Joe Washington Main Cast

Comedy Specials

Year Title
2016 Deon Cole: Cole Blooded Seminar
2019 Deon Cole: Cole Hearted
2022 Deon Cole: Charleen's Boy
2024 Deon Cole: Ok, Mister

References

  1. ^ Del Rosario, Alexandra (April 8, 2022). "Average Joe: Deon Cole To Topline BET+ Dark Comedy". Deadline Hollywood. Retrieved June 26, 2023.
  2. ^ a b Kyles, Kyra (November 12, 2009). "Comic Heroes: Chicago comics breaking into the spotlight on their own terms". Chicago Tribune. p. 30.
  3. ^ Socci, Blair (June 13, 2013). "Talking to Deon Cole About Standup, 'Conan,' and His New TBS Show 'Black Box' Archived July 12, 2017, at the Wayback Machine". Split Sider. The Awl. retrieved July 4, 2017.
  4. ^ "How much longer can Conan stay at NBC?" Winnipeg Free Press (Winnipeg, Manitoba). January 14, 2010. p. D2.
  5. ^ Craft, Dan (September 4, 2014). "Cole mining: Deon digs for comedy's mother lode". TCA Regional News. (Chicago).
  6. ^ Brown, K Williams (April 13, 2010). "One woman's tale of Conan O'Brien's comedy tour kick-off". Statesman Journal (Salem, Oregon).
  7. ^ "Comic Aide for Haiti". Los Angeles Sentinel. February 25, 2010. p. B7.
  8. ^ Ho, Rodney (May 16, 2013). "TBS/TNT to stream shows for subscribers". McClatchy-Tribune.
  9. ^ "Deon Cole comes home for 'Black Code' comedy". Chicago Tribune. November 22, 2013. p. 3.
  10. ^ "Watch Deon Cole: Cole Hearted | Netflix Official Site". Netflix.
  11. ^ "Comedian, Actor & PSC Alumnus Deon Cole to Keynote Philander Smith's 2023 Commencement Ceremony". Philander Smith University. May 6, 2023. Retrieved November 30, 2023.
  12. ^ Dixon, Delaina (August 7, 2023). "Deon cole on his new comedy tour, catering to the 'freaks' and why the actors' strike is so needed". Ebony Magazine. Retrieved November 30, 2023.
  13. ^ Cole, Deon [@deoncole] (September 15, 2015). "Happy birthday 2 the love of my life! My son Dylan! Thanks 4 putting up w/ me and my work! Its all 4 u! Love u 4ever!..." (Tweet). Retrieved October 7, 2019 – via Twitter.
  14. ^ "Soul Train Awards Host Deon Cole Son Dylan Cole". thefamilynation.com. Retrieved June 27, 2023.
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