Comedian Joe Torry’s unique brand of urban story telling has been thrilling audiences for years.
“I’ve always been funny. I was a military child and for show and tell at school I would take things from our house like African artifacts because we didn’t have toys and I would tell stories and people would always laugh because I always said something funny,” said Torry, a 46-year-old Los Angeles resident.
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JOE TORRY
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“I enjoy being someone’s hero and I’m a hero to people who laugh at my jokes because they think like I do.”
Those funny tales he told in school turned into a solid, decades-long career that has spanned numerous media including the live comedy stage, television and movies.
Torry, who was born Joseph Pierre Torry in St, Louis, Mo, garnered public notice when he began hosting “Russell Simmons’ Def Comedy Jam” after the position was vacated by fellow comedian Martin Lawrence. From there, the charismatic funnyman starred in several movies including “House Party,” “Strictly Business,” “Sprung,” “Tales From the Hood” “Motives” 1 & 2, “Mannsfield 12” and “Poetic Justic” alongside Janet Jackson, Regina King and the late rapper, Tupac Shakur.
“‘Poetic Justice’ was a classic movie and I learned a lot from the group that was there,” Torry recalls. “I didn’t know how the acting was going to flow because Tupac didn’t act. He was just cracking the crevices of his talent.”
Torry will be gracing the August Wilson Center for African American Culture stage with his talent on Saturday, Dec. 17 for two shows—4:30 p.m. and 7:30 p.m.—the event is being presented by N-Motion Entertainment and the Afro American Music Institute. In addition to Torry, others on the bill include Jazz, funk and R& B band 76 Degrees West, comedienne Coma’Dee and Pittsburgh’s Jazz keyboardist Kevin Howard. KDKA- TV’s Bob Allen will emcee the night.
Torry is no stranger to the Steel City as he used to come to Pittsburgh and hang out in the city’s Hill District section.
“People can expect to laugh and get their money’s worth,” Torry promised. “Pittsburgh used to be my stomping ground. I still love Pittsburgh and I kind of miss it.”
His stand-up act will touch on everyday topics from marriage, kids and family to politics and entertainment.
“In comedy I can be my own boss. I am the writer and the editor and I can be a character. I talk about everything from being married with kids versus the single life and being an adult and anything current like the NBA and NFL strikes,” he said.
When he isn’t trying out his latest jokes on the stand up circuit, Torry has his hands in other endeavors.
Torry is currently penning his first novel, which will chronicle his years in Hollywood and the people who have influenced his life.
“The book is going to be called ‘The Good the Bad and the Ugly’ and it will have a lot of stories about the roles that I’ve taken in Hollywood and how things are in this business,” he said.
Those who enjoy watching Torry on the silver screen will have their wish granted when the movie, “Soul Ties” hits theaters next year.
Based on the novel of the same name written by Tee Ashira, “Soul Ties” tells the story of gut wrenching heartache that leads to awakening. Torry plays Morris in the movie.
“This is a drama about a man who has a beautiful wife but is scandalous. What appealed to me was that I get to play a strong man with a wife. The role allows me to take a different approach to how people see me,” he said.
Torry’s personal swagger will soon be available for the masses because he is creating a clothing line with fitted, button down shirts and a few hats.
“I wanted to do it because I like to dress nice. We’re going to start with the shirts and hats and go from there,” says Torry about his clothing line.
The humble comedian gives back to his community through the Giving Back the Love initiative, which he created in 1996 to sponsor youth and community programs. To date, the organization has mentored over 30,000 children and families, schooling both groups on the importance of health care and education.
“To whom much is given much is expected,” he said. “I’ve always been the center of something and I try to create light and give back. I want to give back to the needy children in the community because you have to keep the seed planted. Everyone has to do their part and I want to make sure people see a way out of their environment.”
(For tickets to the Dec. 17 event, cal 412-394-3353 or visit www.proartstickets.org or pick them up at Dorsey’s or Stedeford’s Record shop. Prices are $32.50 for balcony; $42.50 for orchestra or $47.50 for VIP. The official after party will be held at CJ’s in the Strip. Tickets will be $5.)
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