Donnell Rawlings is a force both on and off the stage as a comedian, actor and podcaster and this year, Donnell is fire - debuting his first stand-up special at the end of February for Netflix produced by his long-time friend Dave Chappelle.
This is one of four specials Dave is producing for Netflix who stated, "I've been doing this a long time and comedians like Donnell are not only friends but have inspired my own career. Anyone in the comedy community knows these names and knows their time to shine is long overdue. I am proud to be a part of this moment. I've been doing this a long time and comedians like Donnell who is not only a friend but has inspired my own career."
Donnell is unapologetic about the fact that although this is his first special - which was recently filmed during the New York Comedy Festival at the Hard Rock Hotel - it is actually really the 3rd time Dave had him shoot it. The first taping filmed during Covid was too dated. Over the past few years, Donnell has been opening for Dave on the road and was literally destroying audiences around the world. Dave was captivated and was sure Donnell's new material would be timeless and exceeded everyone's expectations to the level it is today.
Donnell first caught the attention of the industry while his fan base exploded with his hilarious sketches as Ashy Larry on CHAPPELLE's SHOW, but it was his critically acclaimed role as Damien "Day-Day" Price on HBO's THE WIRE that turned heads and legitimized him as a serious actor and catapulted him in the theatrical world. Most recently, his role as Alvin in the hit STARZ TV series BMF and his unexpected return to the second season as well as his role as the snarky Mr. Earl in Adam McKay's acclaimed HBO series WINNING TIME: THE RISE OF THE LAKERS DYNASTY grew his followers.
Donnell is also enjoying filming his podcast, THE DONNELL RAWLINGS SHOW, from his new home in Yellow Springs, Ohio which airs on the 5 top platforms and has reached over 5 million views. https://www.youtube.com/@TheDonnellRawlingsShow and has featured guests from Steve O to Chazz Palminteri to Rapper T.I.
After co-starring in SNOOP DOGG's F*CN AROUND COMEDY SPECIAL, Donnell joined DAVE CHAPPELLE AND FRIENDS at the Hollywood Bowl and performed his own solo show during last year's Netflix Comedy festival - he will return again this Spring to the festival and continues to tour with CHRIS ROCK & DAVE CHAPPELLE across the globe and headline at clubs and theaters across the country.
Besides his stand-out role on CHAPPELLE's SHOW, Donnell was lauded for his role as Dez in Pixar's blockbuster film SOUL. In turn, Donnell was honored with The Redd Foxx Award by The African-American Humor Awards in 2021.
Donnell was born in Washington D.C. and grew up in Alexandria, VA and served in the United States Air Force where he was stationed in South Korea and at Bolling Air Force Base in Washington, D.C. in the late 1980s and early 1990s.
Donnell's most significant part of his life is being a father to his 8-year-old son, Austen.