SPRINGFIELD — It’s never a good idea to do something on a dare, because the results could be disastrous.
But when comedian Eddie Griffin, coming to MGM Springfield on Saturday, took a dare from his cousin, it changed his life forever.
When the two were out on the town at Sanford and Sons comedy club, Griffin accepted a dare to go on stage and do three minutes of stand up. Those short three minutes turned into a successful laugh fest that lasted for 45 minutes. And, as the story goes, he then purchased a one-way ticket to Los Angeles to pursue his dream of becoming a stand up.
“We are thrilled to welcome Eddie Griffin to the MGM Springfield stage,” said Amanda Croteau, director of entertainment for the casino. “His energy, wit, and legendary comedy are sure to make for an incredible and unforgettable night for our guests.”
Showtime is 8 p.m. in the Aria Ballroom.
Born in Kansas City, Missouri, Griffin was voted class clown three years in a row in high school. His first love was always dance and by the age of 16, he opened his own dance studio and was choreographing the Kansas City Chiefs half-time shows.
From the stage to filmed comedy specials, he has received rave reviews for the TV series “Def Comedy Jam,” the Cable Ace Award-nominated HBO special “One Night Stand” (1992), the HBO special “Voodoo Child,” “Dysfunktional Family,” Comedy Central’s “You Can Tell ‘Em I Said It,” and the Showtime Special “Undeniable.” Comedy Central has honored Griffin as one of the Top 100 Greatest Stand-Up Comedians of all time.
Griffin also starred in television’s “Malcolm & Eddie,” one of the former UPN’s most successful and long-running sitcoms, for which he was nominated in 1996 for the NAACP Image Award for Best Actor. He was nominated for the award again, and won, in 2000.
The show allowed him to further stretch his acting chops as writer, producer and director of several episodes, as well as writing the theme song with co-star and former “Cosby” kid — the late Malcolm–Jamal Warner. The series also occasionally showcased Griffin’s choreography, harkening back to his pre-comedy dance career.
He is also no stranger to the big screen, and has appeared in films including “The Last Boy Scout,” “Coneheads,” “Armageddon,” “Norbit,” “American Hero,” “Mucho Dinero,” “Deuce Bigalow Male Gigolo,” and “A Star Is Born,” in which he played the pastor opposite Dave Chappelle, Lady Gaga and Bradley Cooper.
His awards include the LAIUFF Award for Best Actor and Critics Award for Best Actor in 2014. He was also nominated for the CableACE Stand-Up Comedy Special in 1995, the 2000 Image Award for Outstanding Actor in a Comedy Series and the Festival Award for Best Supporting Actor in a Feature Film in 2024.
Griffin is currently enjoying a successful residency in Las Vegas where he is booked through next year with his “Live and Unleashed” show at the Saxe Theater at Planet Hollywood.
Tickets, available online at mgmspringfield.com, range in price from $41 to $129.
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