Joe Torry was inducted into the Hall of Fame in 2006 with legendary comedians such as Richard Pryor, Jerry Lee Lewis, and Bill Cosby and has planted an indelible mark on the comedy world. His off-the-cuff brand of comedy is authentic and has made him a living legend.
As the former host and one of the most memorable comedians of HBO’s Russell Simmon’s Def Comedy Jam, Torry has become well-known and respected for his comedic style. Unlike most comedians, Torry doesn’t pre-rehearse his script for stand-up; he uses the audience to unleash his raw, unfiltered, witty sense of humor. His ability to connect with audiences from various backgrounds and leave them in stitches has led to an illustrious career and opened the doors of unbelievable opportunity.
Before achieving worldwide acclaim from his days as the formidable host of Def Comedy Jam, Torry had already made his mark in the world of comedy and the big screen. Torry starred in many box office hits, including House Party 1 & 3 with Martin Lawrence, Strictly Business with Halle Berry, Tales from the Hood, Motive 1 & 2, Mansfield 12, Sprung alongside Jamie Foxx and most notably from his role in John Singleton’s Poetic Justice featuring the remarkable Janet Jackson and Tupac Shakur. Torry has also made a name for himself as a stellar actor, appearing in well-known television shows like E.R., NYPD Blue, Dangerous Minds, and Navy NCIS.
Raised in St. Louis, Missouri, with five siblings as army brats, Torry has had the opportunity to experience many different people from around the world, which helped him to develop his universal style of comedy. With education at the core of Torry’s upbringing, Torry earned a Bachelor of Arts degree in Mass Communications and Broadcast Journalism at Lincoln University in Jefferson City, Missouri. Torry hopes to use this education to develop a nationally syndicated radio show. Torry also received an Honorary Doctorate in Humane Letters for his work in the Entertainment Industry and Community Service from his Alma Mater and was inducted into his Schools Hall of Fame and National HBC Alumni Hall of Fame, sharing the honor with remarkable human beings such as Thurgood Marshall, Langston Hughes, Samuel L. Jackson, and many other notable individuals.
As a humanitarian and philanthropist, Torry utilizes his talent and strong family values to uplift communities worldwide, specifically in his hometown of St. Louis, Missouri, where he established “Giving Back The Love Foundation” to sponsor youth and community programs. In the last fifteen (15) years, the foundation has mentored over 30,000 children and families on the importance of healthcare awareness and education. Major celebrities gave their time year after year, including Shaquille O’Neal, Terrell Owens, Shia Lebeouf, Vivica Fox, Taraji Henson, Moses Malone, Olden Polynice, MC Lyte, Shemar Moore, John Sally, Nelly, Kimora Lee Simmons, Lisa Raye, Meagan Good, Adam Lamburg and Ali Woodson who sang the national anthem each year. As a result of his leadership in the community, Torry was chosen to represent the mid-west and to be the first to accept the 2004 Olympic Torch for the historic international event in which Jackie Joyner Kersee was last to carry the torch before it left St. Louis and traveled to New York City. His passion for inspiring the community to rise up has allowed Torry to reach millions through his endeavors, collaborating with many other celebrities and non-profits to raise awareness and funding for various causes.
With over 30 years in the business, Torry is forging ahead and embracing new opportunities to explore new media. He is now remixing his brand to become one of the most notable comedians in the comedy world. Torry maintains a strong connection with his fans around the globe. As such, he continues to work a hectic stand-up schedule throughout the country, with sold-out audiences eager to hear his latest work.
