Bill Bellamy, a prominent figure in comedy, grew up in Newark, New Jersey, as the eldest of three children. His journey into the world of stand-up was somewhat serendipitous. While attending Rutgers University, Bellamy participated in a male beauty pageant. For the talent portion, he chose to perform a stand-up comedy routine, which led him to clinch the win, marking the beginning of his comedic career. Before diving into comedy full-time, Bellamy worked as a marketing executive at a cigarette company. However, he simultaneously honed his comedic skills in clubs and competitions, determined to make a name for himself. This dedication paid off when he earned a spot on national television with "Showtime at the Apollo," a venue known for its notoriously challenging audience. Bellamy's performance impressed the crowd, including influential eyes, such as Russell Simmons. Simmons, who was developing "Def Comedy Jam" for HBO, recognized Bellamy's talent and invited him to be part of the show. Bellamy's performance at New York's "Uptown Comedy Club," one of the era's key black comedy venues, solidified his reputation. During this time, he performed a newly crafted joke titled "Booty Call," which caught the attention of Russell Simmons. Simmons requested Bellamy to include this joke in his "Def Comedy Jam" debut, a request that launched the phrase into popular slang culture and served as the title of Bellamy's Showtime comedy special. His successful stand-up career soon caught the attention of MTV, where he became a VJ and hosted several programs. This exposure opened doors to numerous television and film roles, including notable appearances in "How to Be a Player," "Any Given Sunday," and "Fastlane." Despite his ventures into film and television, Bellamy never strayed far from his comedic roots. He returned to the stage with a new stand-up hour aptly named "Bill Bellamy: Back to My Roots," which aired on Comedy Central and was released on DVD. In addition to stand-up, Bellamy took on hosting duties for the stand-up comedy series "Bill Bellamy's Who's Got Jokes" on the TV One network. He also became the host of NBC's "Last Comic Standing 5," providing a prominent platform for aspiring comedians. Bill Bellamy's multifaceted career showcases his enduring influence and dedication to the art of comedy.