Donnell Rawlings

Donnell Rawlings is an American comedian, actor, and radio host born on December 6, 1968 in Washington, D.C. He grew up in Alexandria, Virginia, where he attended T.C. Williams High School and later served in the United States Air Force, spending time in South Korea and at Bolling Air Force Base in the late 1980s. The discipline and exposure to Korean language during his service later became a recurring element of his comedy, especially on the sketches that parody cultural misunderstandings. After leaving the military, Rawlings moved into the comedy circuit, developing a distinctive street‑wise persona that blended sharp wit with a rapid‑fire delivery. His early stand‑up work caught the attention of producers at Comedy Central, leading to his breakout role on Chappelle’s Show, where his catchphrases “I’m rich, biaaaaatch!” and “Son!” became viral staples. Rawlings also contributed to the show’s third season as a co‑host alongside Charlie Murphy, cementing his reputation as a versatile sketch performer. In addition to his television success, Rawlings has appeared in several films—including Sam Raimi’s Spider‑Man 2—and voiced characters such as the barber Dez in Pixar’s acclaimed 2020 movie Soul. His dramatic chops were showcased on HBO’s The Wire, where he played the flamboyant legislative aide Damien ‘Day‑Day’ Price, a role that highlighted his ability to balance comedy with gritty realism. Beyond screen work, he co‑hosted the Big Tigger Morning Show on Washington’s WPGC‑95.5 and has been a recurring judge on MTV2’s Guy Code and its spin‑off Guy Court. Rawlings continues to tour as a stand‑up comic, release digital sketches, and engage with fans through podcasts and social media, demonstrating a career that spans more than three decades of relentless creativity.