My goal is to build a comedy empire and help restore dignity to our profession. It’s the best I ever feel when I’m on stage, putting the thoughts from my head into those of an audience.  Applause is my drug of choice.”Katt Williams

Known just as much for his permed hair as he is for his animated performances and quick wit, comedian Katt Williams has been making his mark in Hollywood for over 10 years.  Beginning his career at an age when most teenagers are seeking their driver’s license, the young comic quickly discovered that he had a gift for making people laugh.  Inspired by the likes of great humorists such as Richard Pryor Donn Knotts, Eddie Murphy, Bill Cosby, George Carlin, Thomas Marshall, Jeff Foxworthy, Whoopi Goldberg and Dave Chapelle, whom he calls the “Malcolm X of comedy,” Katt Williams’ entertaining standup routines are laying the blueprint for a new generation of comics.

Born in Cincinnati, Ohio and raised in Dayton, Katt Williams was the product of a socially and politically charged household.  His parent’s influence and teachings may have been what caused him to briefly join the Nation of Islam later on in his life while living in the Bay Area. Being that educational excellence was greatly encouraged from birth, the tiny protégé was reading at age 3.  An avid book lover, Katt’s parents banned him from reading as a form of punishment when he got into trouble.  When he was 12, he won a number of awards for science projects, which landed him a full scholarship to The National Science Academy in Dayton, but as soon as the young brain found out about the scholarship, he purposely failed a math test in order to be disqualified from participating in the program.  “I was young. You know when you are young, you just do what you do. I can use my I.Q. now. I had a high I.Q as an 8 years old. So you know what was I gonna do with it. I was just trying to be impressive and not mess up.”

 

Longing to express his creative side, Katt escaped into his own world, compiling fresh jokes with fresh music and intellect; honing his skills.  As a means to get into a nightclub where he was underage one fateful evening, Katt noticed that they weren’t checking ID’s in the line for comics and proceeded to enter the club through that entrance.  Thinking that he would be able to chill and enjoy the party, the quick thinker was called on stage where he did a five-minute improv to an enthusiastic crowd.  “I was so nervous but everyone laughed and thought I was funny.  After that, I was opened up to the wonderful world of comedy,” recalls the multi-talented entertainer.  “Improv is where a comic really gets to shine, if he is good.  That’s as close as a comedian can get to the playoffs. I went through those years were I wanted to be the funny comic, now I’m trying to be the greatest comic of my time.”

 

In 1999 Katt became a presence at The Improv, The Comedy Club, The Icehouse and he had his own room at The Hollywood Park Casino where he had a large, loyal following.  He’s become somewhat of a staple comedic force on the BET Network, appearing on shows such as Comic View, Rip the Runway, Black Carpet, Rap City, 106th & Park, The BET Awards and BET Comedy Awards. Throughout his success he has been massively embraced by the Hip Hop community, receiving praise from Master P (“Hands down Katt Williams is the next Richard Pryor”) and Snoop Dogg (“Katt is doing his comedy thing so flamboyantly and so fly with spirit of the late great Red Foxx and the spirit of Richard Pryor”) On November 15th, 2006 Katt will have a chance to speak directly to Hip Hop audiences globally and share his insight on the urban culture, folklore and music while Hosting the 1st Annual BET ‘Hip Hop’ Award Show featuring performances from Ludacris, Young Jeezy, Jermaine Dupri and T.I. with Award Nominees including Common and Busta Rhymes to DMX and Jay-Z.

 

Katt Williams’ talent extends over multiple mediums.  Known to most for his breakout role in three seasons of Nick Cannon’s highly-rated MTV improv show, “Wild n’ Out,” the funnyman has appeared in music videos for everyone from Outkast (“Roses”) and Ludacris (“Stand Up” & “Number One Spot”) to E-40 (“One Night Stand”) and Lil’ Kim (“Shut Up/Lighter’s Up”), in addition to landing roles on the small and big screen.  Some of his appearances include ‘NYPD Blue’, UPN’s ‘Girlfriends’ and ‘Cuts’, ‘The Tracy Morgan Show’, ‘Wanted’, ‘My Wife and Kids,’ Russell Simmon’s HBO ‘Def Comedy Jam’ alongside Dave Chappelle and Mike Epps and an animated character (“A Pimp Named Slickback”) on the popular adult cartoon The Boondocks.  Katt continues to receive stamps of approvals from the urban and mainstream community for his brilliance and ingenuity on screen and on-stage including being named “hottest new comedian” in Rolling Stone Magazine as well as African American comedic icons such as Steve Harvey who says, “He’s one of the hottest comedians in the country.”

Widely recognized for his role as “Money Mike” in the hit New Line movie Friday After Next, the rising star is currently on a multi-city sold out comedy tour with a groundbreaking album in the works entitled It’s Pimpin’, Pimpin’ (Camron’s Diplomat Records/Warner Bros.), featuring Snoop Dogg, Da Brat, E-40, Lyfe Jennings, Paul Wall, Mike Jones, Lil’ Jon, and more.  Two of “Money Mike’s” ring tones were also recently ranked in the Jamster! Top 5 most downloaded, fun-sound ring tones. “Money Mike” also remains the Urban World Wireless’ ring tone king with the popular “Pimp Phone Ringing.

As if those artistic ventures weren’t enough this past month HBO aired “Katt Williams: Pimp Chronicles Pt.1,” 60 minutes of hilarious new material from the entertaining comedian taped live in Atlanta with guest appearances from Cam’ron, Lil’ Jon, Snoop Dogg, Andre 3000, Da Brat and Anthony Anderson to name a few. Williams was able to draw on his own experiences and his edgy take on life to bring the house down with laughter with his unique personality, pimp-esque charisma and endless supply of original jokes. The show is currently the highest rated special on the HBO Network for 2006 and the DVD will be distributed through Universal Home Video in November 2006.

Katt’s prodigious talent seems to know no limits and he’s eager to add the title of ‘Hollywood Actor’ to his repertoire. In early 2007 he will light up the big screen with unforgettable roles in the Eddie Murphy film “Norbit” (Dreamworks) along with other stars including Cuba Gooding Jr., Eddie Griffin, Thandie Newton and Charlie Murphy as well as the soon to be hit romantic comedy, “Perfect Christmas” (Flavor Unit Productions) featuring Terence Howard, Queen Latifah, Morris Chestnut and Gabrielle Union. Towards the end of 2006 he will travel to Australia to begin filming the upcoming comedy “Fool’s Gold” (Warner Bros. Pictures) featuring Matthew McConaughey and Kate Hudson. I’m on the grind 23/6!  The blessing now is that I got the gift and I got the thing to work the gift and I got the reason to be working.”

While his goal is to build a comedy empire and restore dignity to his profession, Katt Williams is also a humanitarian.  He is as committed to his children as he is to his work; he doesn’t joke when it comes to them.  “I have eight children, seven adopted.  When my son Micah was born, it changed my life.  Every week when I’m able to clothe and feed my family, pay my staff and travel around the world solely on the strength of comedy, that is my greatest accomplishment.”

Telling jokes with ease, the stand-up comic/actor wants to conquer the globe’s problems with laughter.  “Everything, everywhere is comedy material.  To watch and view the world via television, newspapers, movies and music translate our world into funny.  There is no subject where funny doesn’t exist.”  The current Los Angeles resident has undoubtedly become a fixture on the comedic and Hollywood landscape with more than enough charisma and talent to spare.  Possessing the ability to make millions of people laugh, Katt Williams is healing the world one smile at a time.  Katt sums it up best, “I’m in the great comedian lane. Once you’re in that lane, that’s just the beginning of it. The getting there is the journey.”