Donnell is a multifaceted talent who has made a significant impact in the entertainment industry as a comedian, actor, podcaster, and more. He recently debuted his first Netflix stand-up special, A NEW DAY, which was produced by his long-time friend and collaborator, Dave Chappelle. This marks one of four specials that Chappelle is producing for Netflix, with the comedian expressing his pride in being able to support and showcase the talents of his peers, including Donnell.
Donnell first gained recognition for his hilarious sketches as Ashy Larry on CHAPPELLE's SHOW, but it was his critically acclaimed role as Damien "Day-Day" Price on HBO's THE WIRE that cemented his status as a serious actor and catapulted him to new heights in the theatrical world. His recent roles in STARZ's BMF and HBO's WINNING TIME: THE RISE OF THE LAKERS DYNASTY have further solidified his position as a talented and versatile performer.
In addition to his acting career, Donnell is also the host of his popular podcast, THE DONNELL RAWLINGS SHOW, which airs on five major platforms and has reached over 5 million views. He has featured a wide range of guests, including Steve O, Chazz Palminteri, and Rapper T.I.
Donnell has also had the opportunity to share the stage with some of the biggest names in comedy, including Snoop Dogg, Dave Chappelle, and Chris Rock. He has performed at the Hollywood Bowl, the Netflix Comedy festival, and has toured across the globe with Rock and Chappelle.
In addition to his impressive resume, Donnell was honored with The Redd Foxx Award by The African-American Humor Awards for his role in Pixar's blockbuster film SOUL, in which he played the character Dez. He was born in Washington D.C. and grew up in Alexandria, VA, before serving in the United States Air Force, where he was stationed in South Korea and at Bolling Air Force Base in Washington, D.C. in the late 1980s and early 1990s.
