By Jason Collins
The comedy world is mourning the loss of groundbreaking comedian Paul Mooney. My heart goes out to his loved ones. It’s with great sadness that I write this article. The second time in one year that I sit writing about a legend that’s gone. Born Paul Gladney, he passed away on Wednesday, May 19, from a heart attack at 79. His cousin, Rudy Ealy, commented that Mooney’s health was deteriorating leading up to his death. TMZ caught up with Dave Chappelle and got a few words of tribute to Paul Mooney. Chappelle said, “I want to shout out every comedian on Earth. One of the best that ever did it passed away today. His legacy will live forever. He’s one of the first Black people ever in the Writer’s Guild. Paul Mooney will be sorely missed and wildly remembered.”
Paul Mooney has a rich comedic career that included writing, stand-up, and acting. He started writing for Richard Pryor and worked on classics like The Richard Pryor Show, Sanford and Sons, In Living Color, and Good Times. We have Mooney to thank for Homey D. Clown and Negrodamus. He unapologetically used his comedic voice to tackle the hypocrisies and idiosyncrasies of white people in America. I mean, who can forget the SNL skit he wrote for Richard Pryor and Chevy Chase? The escalating racism makes you laugh but also leaves a nasty pang of grief. Mooney also acted in a few classic films including, The Buddy Holly Story and Spike Lee’s Bamboozled. In 2007, he released his memoir titled Black is the New White and continued touring until 2010.
He later began acting and writing for The Dave Chappelle Show. He delivered some of the most memorable comedic skits in history. While it was a short-lived comedic stint, it will live on for all of us. Let’s honor this legendary comedian by looking at three of his classic moments from The Dave Chappelle Show. The last entry isn’t from the side-splitting show. Yet, it perfectly represents everything that makes Paul Mooney a comedic genius. I had to end with a bonus throwback video from 1977. Paul Mooney has a long history of bringing laughter into our homes.
Negrodamus
Mooney created Negrodamus as a reimagining of what Nostrodamus would be like if he were African American. Negordamus made some fascinating predictions about Hillary Clinton, Arnold Schwarzenegger, and Maria Shriver. Check it out below:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LYnTfZ_mE5k
Ask A Black Dude Skit
Who can forget to Ask a Black Dude? The classic character answered all the ridiculous questions that people had to ask. He even takes a tiny stab at Whitney and Bobby. Watch it below:
And for a little something extra, watch these Ask a Black Dude deleted scenes. Classic.
Paul Mooney on Movies
Paul Mooney’s take on movies is one of my favorite skits. He sits with two white women to critique the latest movies of the day. He starts with Gone with the Wind, eviscerating the white plotline. He shows the hypocrisy of white reporting when they introduce Barbershop and The Last Samurai. Check it out.
Oh, the Queen
This next one isn’t from The Dave Chappelle Show. However, it does offer a beautiful representation of who Mr. Mooney was as a comedian. He wasn’t afraid to voice the inequities that came from the intersection between black and white people, and nowhere is that clearer than in this piece from his stand-up comedy. Watch it now.
BONUS: The First Black President
The First Black President is a classic from his days working with Richard Pryor. He answers all questions addressing everything from the unemployment rate to football. It’s hilarious. Check it out below.
Our hearts are with Paul Mooney’s family in this time of grief. We are eternally grateful for everything he contributed to the world. He’ll live on as a comedic legend through the ages.