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 Singletons Poetic Justice, NYPD Blue and ER.
Filmography
Film Year Title Role Notes 1990 House Party Student in Cafeteria 1991 Talkin' Dirty After Dark Audience Member Strictly Business Darryl The Three Muscatels Andre Squire 1993 Poetic Justice Chicago 1994 House Party 3 D-Trick Exit to Eden Baggage Cop 1995 Tales from the Hood Stack 1996 Fled Bo Grant 1997 Back in Business Tony Dunbar Sprung Clyde 2000 Lockdown Alize 2001 The Flamingo Rising Pete Moss TV movie The Commitments T-Bone TV movie 2004 Motives Derrick Woods Video Hair Show Brian 2005 Getting Played Josh TV movie 2006 The Boston Strangler Police Chief Video 2007 Motives 2 Derrick Woods Video Redrum Tyrone The Mannsfield 12 Trey Pound 2008 Boston Strangler: The Untold Story Arthur Winfield Video 2009 Mimi's Place Fred Short Why Am I Doing This? Kenny The Dog Who Saved Christmas Perry Winkle TV movie 2012 Who's Watching the Kids Daan Pawn Shop Pierre Love Overboard Angelo Video 2013 Caught on Tape Delivery Man Act Like You Love Me B Smooth Video The Power of Love Jamal 2014 Act of Faith Mann Mann 2015 Soul Ties Morris 2019 Perfectly Single Greg The Workout Room Teejay 2021 City Limits James 2022 Unreported Mike 2025 Different with Me Pastor Bryan
Television Year Title Role Notes 1991 It's Showtime at the Apollo Himself Episode: "Episode #4.20" Amen Ice Pick Episode: "Three's a Crowd" 1992 Def Comedy Jam Himself Episode: "Episode #1.1" & "#2.11" Roc Lee Episode: "What's Up, Roc?" 1994–95 Def Comedy Jam Himself/Host Recurring Host: Season 4-5 1996 Dangerous Minds Martin Episode: "Evolution" 1997 ER Chris Law Recurring Cast: Season 3–4 1999 NYPD Blue Willis Episode: "Dead Girl Walking" 2001 On the Beat Himself/Host Main Host 2003 NCIS Darryl Wilkins Episode: "Seadog" 2003–04 Girlfriends Mel Recurring Cast: Season 4 2005 Turn Up the Heat with G. Garvin Himself Episode: "Joe Torry's Chicken" 2008 1st Amendment Stand Up Himself Episode: "Lavell Crawford/Joe Torry/Steve Mazan" 2009 Nite Tales Thug #1 Episode: "Ima Star" 2012 Uptown Comic Himself/Host Main Host 2013 Zane's The Jump Off Chandler Bishop Recurring Cast 2014–17 Unsung Hollywood Himself Recurring Guest 2017 Grown Folks Earl Episode: "Competing For Love" 2019 Unsung Himself Episode: "Adina Howard" 2020 Game On: A Comedy Crossover Event Chuckie Episode: "Family Reunion: Remember the Family's Feud?" 2022 Phat Tuesdays Himself Main Guest
References
External links
Joe Torry's Giving Back the Love Foundation