Icons of African American Comedy

Eddie Tafoya is associate professor of American literature and creative writing at New Mexico Highlands University in Las Vegas, NM.

• Series ForewordAcknowledgmentsIntroduction: Behind the BlackfaceBert WilliamsEarly LifeThe Williams and Walker YearsWilliams's Solo CareerInfluenceMoms MableyEarly LifeThe Early MoviesOn TelevisionAmazing GraceStand-up CareerInfluenceRedd FoxxEarly LifeStand-up CareerSanford and SonInfluenceDick GregoryEarly LifeComedy CareerActivismInfluenceGodfrey CambridgeEarly LifeStand-up CareerFilm and TelevisionInfluenceFlip WilsonEarly LifeOn TelevisionStand-up CareerInfluenceBill CosbyEarly LifeOn VinylOn TelevisionThe Cosby ShowInfluenceRichard PryorEarly LifeEarly CareerOn VinylThe Concert FilmsRichard Pryor on FilmThe Richard Pryor ShowInfluenceWhoopi GoldbergEarly LifeThe Performance FilmsOn FilmOn TelevisionInfluenceDamon WayansEarly LifeIn Living ColorOn FilmOther Television ShowsBooksInfluenceChris RockEarly LifeStand-up CareerOn Television and FilmInfluenceDave ChappelleEarly LifeEarly WorkChappelle's ShowThe African HiatusThe Performance FilmsInfluenceTimelineIndex

What a surprise to laugh while reviewing a new reference title! This one features comedy icons—those who, 1) challenge the status quo, 2) influence millions, and 3) impact history; so it includes lots of humorous material while informing the reader and reflecting on race and entertainment history. . . . This entertaining work belongs in most circulating collections.