Joe Torry is an American comedian, actor, and screenwriter. Torry is the older brother of comedian Guy Torry who is known for creating Phat Tuesdays a weekly stand-up comedy show launched in 1995 for African American comedians that was held at The Comedy Store in Hollywood, the live comedy show later became the focus for a 2022 Amazon television series of the same name.

Early life and career

Joe Torry, and five siblings, were brought up in St. Louis, Missouri. Torry is a self-described military brat who discovered at an early age he was funny when doing classroom show and tell presentations. He later found that his future was in the world of comedy.

Growing up Sammy Davis Jr. was an idol of his and he attempted to learn comedy from such entertainers as Abbott and Costello and Dick Van Dyke.

Torry earned a Bachelor of Arts degree in broadcast journalism and communications at Lincoln University, plus a human letters honorary doctorate for his years in show business.

Before later becoming host of Def Comedy Jam, Torry made a name for himself in stand-up comedy, film and television, appearing in such projects as Dangerous Minds, House Party, Tales from the Hood, John Singleton's Poetic Justice, NYPD Blue and ER.

Filmography

Film

YearTitleRoleNotes
1990House PartyStudent in Cafeteria
1991Talkin' Dirty After DarkAudience Member
Strictly BusinessDarryl
The Three MuscatelsAndre Squire
1993Poetic JusticeChicago
1994House Party 3D-Trick
Exit to EdenBaggage Cop
1995Tales from the HoodStack
1996FledBo Grant
1997Back in BusinessTony Dunbar
SprungClyde
2000LockdownAlize
2001The Flamingo RisingPete MossTV movie
The CommitmentsT-BoneTV movie
2004MotivesDerrick WoodsVideo
Hair ShowBrian
2005Getting PlayedJoshTV movie
2006The Boston StranglerPolice ChiefVideo
2007Motives 2Derrick WoodsVideo
RedrumTyrone
The Mannsfield 12Trey Pound
2008Boston Strangler: The Untold StoryArthur WinfieldVideo
2009Mimi's PlaceFredShort
Why Am I Doing This?Kenny
The Dog Who Saved ChristmasPerry WinkleTV movie
2012Who's Watching the KidsDaan
Pawn ShopPierre
Love OverboardAngeloVideo
2013Caught on TapeDelivery Man
Act Like You Love MeB SmoothVideo
The Power of LoveJamal
2014Act of FaithMann Mann
2015Soul TiesMorris
2019Perfectly SingleGreg
The Workout RoomTeejay
2021City LimitsJames
2022UnreportedMike

Television

YearTitleRoleNotes
1991It's Showtime at the ApolloHimselfEpisode: "Episode #4.20"
AmenIce PickEpisode: "Three's a Crowd"
1992Def Comedy JamHimselfEpisode: "Episode #1.1" & "#2.11"
RocLeeEpisode: "What's Up, Roc?"
1994-95Def Comedy JamHimself/HostRecurring Host: Season 4-5
1996Dangerous MindsMartinEpisode: "Evolution"
1997ERChris LawRecurring Cast: Season 3-4
1999NYPD BlueWillisEpisode: "Dead Girl Walking"
2001On the BeatHimself/HostMain Host
2003NCISDarryl WilkinsEpisode: "Seadog"
2003-04GirlfriendsMelRecurring Cast: Season 4
2005Turn Up the Heat with G. GarvinHimselfEpisode: "Joe Torry's Chicken"
20081st Amendment Stand UpHimselfEpisode: "Lavell Crawford/Joe Torry/Steve Mazan"
2009Nite TalesThug #1Episode: "Ima Star"
2012Uptown ComicHimself/HostMain Host
2013Zane's The Jump OffChandler BishopRecurring Cast
2014-17Unsung HollywoodHimselfRecurring Guest
2017Grown FolksEarlEpisode: "Competing For Love"
2019UnsungHimselfEpisode: "Adina Howard"
2020Game On: A Comedy Crossover EventChuckieEpisode: "Family Reunion: Remember the Family's Feud?"
2022Phat TuesdaysHimselfMain Guest

External links