Cedric the Laugh Instigator

By admin
Nov 27, 2008
4:19 pm

cedric the laugh instigator

Words by DeWayne Rogers
Images by Hiltron Bailey for Steed Media Service

The years have been kind to comedian-turned-actor, Cedric the Entertainer. From an inauspicious start doing stand-up comedy in “po-dunk” towns across the country, to ultimately making a name for himself as one of the funniest men of his generation, Cedric has traveled a road that many may envy, but few possess the wherewithal to endure the lonely existence that accompanies such a rapid ascension to stardom. So as the affable funnyman sat down for an exclusive interview with rolling out, the toll of his journey became increasingly apparent, as he revealed the degree of difficulty in surviving in a cutthroat industry.

But Cedric has persevered through the tumultuous times, and now the Missouri native is intently focused on creating his next transformation. So enjoy this excerpt from rolling out’s exclusive heart to heart with Cedric the Entertainer, as we explore the soul of a man blessed with the gift of inciting tear-inducing, gut-busting, knee-slapping laughter.

Ro: By now, we’re all aware of the financial crisis currently facing this nation. Are you ever worried that the monetary woes of others will affect your ability to make money on stage or at the box office?

Cedric: Not at all. You’re right, we all know that the economy is real tough right now. There are a lot of people out there having problems, from Middle America to the people living in urban communities. But there was a report that came out recently, which showed that people still go out to be entertained, even though things are pretty bad right now. They will save up enough money and still find a way to go to the movies. I think there are a lot of reasons for that. One reason is that the movies are probably one of the cheapest forms of entertainment. It’s definitely cheaper than a concert, and less expensive than going out to dinner, to a certain degree. So I think that despite how tough things are on the economic front, people still have that desire to find a way to get out of the house, and escape the stresses of the world. I think that the movies provide a greater way to do that.

Ro: Speaking of life, has your sense of humor changed at all over the years?

Cedric: I think that my sense of humor has evolved to a certain degree, but it’s also still in that same pocket. I sometimes go back and look at some of my old material that I did on BET and ‘Comic View,’ and I think that some of that material it still relevant, and would still work. But at the same time, I think that I’ve become much more political. I also talk about family and relationships, two things that I didn’t used to talk about in my stage show. So I definitely think that I’ve grown in that direction.

Ro: But you only touch on family briefly in your material. Why do you take a different approach from other comedians who base their entire routines around marriage and kids?

Cedric: There are a lot of comedians that do that, but I’ve always thought that approach was too easy. Especially, when you have comedians that start going to that well over and over again … after a while I think it loses its edge. Now that’s not to put anyone down for their approach. At the end of the day, you just have to be honest on stage. That’s all an audience really wants.

Ro: There are some comedians that are funny on stage and funny on TV, but when you meet them in person, they aren’t that funny. Do you think that your sense of humor translates to every day life?

Cedric: It varies with me. I’m usually pretty energetic, and having a good time with life. I’m not a joke teller though, so that might be disappointing to some people. Someone may see me on a plane, and say, ‘hey, you’re that comedian guy, tell me a joke.’ And I have to tell them that I’m not really a joke teller. I’m a performer. But I do have fun and enjoy life and if you give me a minute, I’m sure that I’ll say some funny things, and things that’ll make you laugh. For the most part though, I’m not walking around just trying to make people laugh all the time. So I’m sure that I probably could be perceived as more serious, but it just depends on when you see me.”

Ro: The entertainment industry is full of ups and downs. How have you dealt with, and bounced back from the difficult patches in your career?

Cedric: I think it’s very difficult to deal with. I’ve always been grateful for the many blessings that have come my way. And there are stages in your career, where you start having success —especially financially — [and] you begin to wonder how you are going to maintain it. If you have a few misses in your career that don’t resonate with the audience, and that don’t make money, then the industry may begin to doubt you. You may even begin to doubt yourself. But when that happens, you just have to keep pushing through it. In the past few years, I’ve been just making different choices that put me outside of my normal comfort zone. So everything is not comedy for me now. I did Street Kings last year, which was a very different choice for me. There was a lot of gunplay, and I ended up getting killed, so that took me to a place where I could be a little more dramatic. Cadillac Records is about to come out, and that is another more dramatic piece. I’m also on Broadway right now. I’m doing a very dramatic piece by a great American playwright, David Mamet, called American Buffalo. It’s my first time on Broadway, and I’m going to be performing from November to April. The choice is unique in itself, because although I’m a live performer, I’ve never done a play. But these are choices that I am actively making as I try to broaden my horizons, and keep pushing forward when things don’t necessarily go the way that I would like for them to.

Ro: Broadway is a big step. When you made these decisions to step outside of your comfort zone, were there any nerves involved?

Cedric: Absolutely. Well, Broadway brings about a different set of nerves. I’ve performed in front of one of the largest grossing and attended comedy shows in history with ‘The Original Kings of Comedy.’ At that show, we performed in front of 42,000 people at the Georgia Dome in Atlanta. So the nerves aren’t about being in front of people. That’s what I do. But to be able to perform at one of the most prestigious platforms in the world, and to have it be a serious play just brings about a different challenge. But I know that I have the skill set to do it. And now I just have to trust that I’m just as good as, and just as deserving as anybody else that has performed there.

Ro: With such great challenges ahead of you, how does spirituality play a role in your life?

Cedric: It has to play a role. I’m a kid that was raised in the church in a single-parent home. My mother told us that she needed her belief in Christ to help push my sister and me through the many pitfalls of life. And as I’ve grown and gotten older, I’ve come to understand that you can’t really set up your own destiny. God has to be a part of it. You can’t explain some of the many blessings that come your way each day. When you think about it, it’s a blessing just to have a choice and to have a chance in life. So I definitely give God the glory for that. I even look at this decision to do Broadway. I felt like I was in a place in my career where I was doing the same types of things over and over again. And I prayed that I could do something different, and this opportunity came to me. I can’t say that without God it would have happened. I prayed for it, and He blessed me with it. So I will continue to let God lead me as I attempt to raise my children, and progress in my career. I know that I won’t be able to make it without Him.