Darryl Lynn "D.L." Hughley was born on March 6, 1963, and grew up in the challenging environment of South Central Los Angeles. The path of his early life was rocky, marked by his expulsion from high school and involvement with the Bloods gang. A turning point came when his cousin was shot—an incident that prompted Hughley to change his life's trajectory. He earned a GED, found steady employment, and, with his wife LaDonna's encouragement, ventured into the world of stand-up comedy. From the moment he took the stage with a microphone in hand, Hughley sensed that comedy was his true calling. His comedic talent quickly gained recognition, and in 1992, he became the first host of BET's Comicview, a platform that showcased his skills to a broader audience. Hughley also made a memorable appearance on the popular show The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air, playing an old friend of Will Smith who was auditioning as a comedian. By 1997, Hughley's comedic career reached new heights when he joined forces with Steve Harvey, Cedric the Entertainer, and Bernie Mac for the nationwide stand-up tour, the Kings of Comedy. The success of this tour was captured in Spike Lee's film, The Original Kings of Comedy, further solidifying Hughley's status in the comedy world. In 1998, Hughley was offered his own television sitcom, The Hughleys, which aired on ABC. Initially benefiting from a strong lead-in from Home Improvement, the show faced challenges when moved to the network's low-rating TGIF segment, leading to its eventual cancellation by ABC. However, UPN revived the series, allowing it to run for two additional seasons. During this period, Hughley extended his talents to acting, voicing the Gadgetmobile in the 1999 film Inspector Gadget and appearing in Scary Movie 3. Despite his foray into acting, he remained rooted in stand-up comedy, hosting Comedy Central's Premium Blend in 2003. Two years later, he launched Weekends at the D.L., a late-night talk show on the same network. Hughley's influence and skill earned him a spot on Comedy Central's list of the 100 Greatest Stand-ups of All Time, where he ranked 54th. He also starred in Aaron Sorkin's television drama Studio 60 on the Sunset Strip, portraying a character whose life story paralleled his own. In a tribute to the legendary comedian Richard Pryor, Hughley appeared alongside Bernie Mac and Cedric the Entertainer in the Richard Pryor special, I Ain't Dead Yet, #%$#@!!. Committed to his stand-up roots, Hughley continued performing live, including a special show at the Providence Performing Arts Center for Johnson and Wales students, where he humorously included a freshman as part of the act and offered them books free of charge. Hughley has been married to LaDonna since 1986. Together, they have three children: daughters Ryan Nicole and Tyler Whitney, and son Kyle Aaris. Despite his busy career, family remains a central part of Hughley's life, and he has often shared insights drawn from his family experiences in his comedic acts. Through his humor, perseverance, and ability to connect with audiences, D.L. Hughley has carved out a lasting legacy in the world of comedy.