Barry Sobel
Encyclopedia
Barry Sobel is an American
actor
and comedian
.
. During the 1980s, he toured the comedy circuit heavily. His routine centered around rapping in a Beastie Boys
style.
Barry also had a part in Revenge of the Nerds II: Nerds in Paradise
. He adopted his hip-hop comedy rap in 1987 when he was featured on HBO's Uptown Comedy Express. He was the only white performer there amongst an all black line-up and a pre-dominantly black audience. Eddie Murphy
and Earvin "Magic" Johnson were attending in the audience, and laughed heartily at his jokes.
In the 1987 film, Punchline
, he had a small part, but played a more prominent off screen role as comedic advisor to Tom Hanks
.According to Sobel, Hanks caught his act which stylistically was considered 'dangerous' as was the character Hanks was to play in Punchline.
Sobel starred in the final season of 227
, and did voice-over work as himself on Dr. Katz, Professional Therapist
. He played Chico on the series The Boondocks
, and guest starred as an angel on The Parent 'Hood
.
Recently, he has appeared in commercials in scenes from Comedy Central
's new show, "Chocolate News," starring David Alan Grier. The show debuted on Oct. 15.
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
actor
Actor
An actor is a person who acts in a dramatic production and who works in film, television, theatre, or radio in that capacity...
and comedian
Comedian
A comedian or comic is a person who seeks to entertain an audience, primarily by making them laugh. This might be through jokes or amusing situations, or acting a fool, as in slapstick, or employing prop comedy...
.
Life and career
Sobel grew up in New York CityNew York City
New York is the most populous city in the United States and the center of the New York Metropolitan Area, one of the most populous metropolitan areas in the world. New York exerts a significant impact upon global commerce, finance, media, art, fashion, research, technology, education, and...
. During the 1980s, he toured the comedy circuit heavily. His routine centered around rapping in a Beastie Boys
Beastie Boys
Beastie Boys are an American hip hop trio from New York City. The group consists of Mike D who plays the drums, MCA who plays the bass, and Ad-Rock who plays the guitar....
style.
Barry also had a part in Revenge of the Nerds II: Nerds in Paradise
Revenge of the Nerds II: Nerds in Paradise
Revenge of the Nerds II: Nerds in Paradise is the 1987 sequel to the 1984 comedy Revenge of the Nerds. Its cast featured most of the main actors from the earlier film, including Robert Carradine, Anthony Edwards, Curtis Armstrong, Larry B. Scott, Timothy Busfield, Donald Gibb, and Andrew Cassese....
. He adopted his hip-hop comedy rap in 1987 when he was featured on HBO's Uptown Comedy Express. He was the only white performer there amongst an all black line-up and a pre-dominantly black audience. Eddie Murphy
Eddie Murphy
Edward Regan "Eddie" Murphy is an American stand-up comedian, actor, writer, singer, director, and musician....
and Earvin "Magic" Johnson were attending in the audience, and laughed heartily at his jokes.
In the 1987 film, Punchline
Punchline (film)
Punchline is a 1988 American film written and directed by David Seltzer and stars Tom Hanks as a very talented young comic who helps a housewife, played by Sally Field who wants to break into stand-up comedy.-Synopsis:...
, he had a small part, but played a more prominent off screen role as comedic advisor to Tom Hanks
Tom Hanks
Thomas Jeffrey "Tom" Hanks is an American actor, producer, writer, and director. Hanks worked in television and family-friendly comedies, gaining wide notice in 1988's Big, before achieving success as a dramatic actor in several notable roles, including Andrew Beckett in Philadelphia, the title...
.According to Sobel, Hanks caught his act which stylistically was considered 'dangerous' as was the character Hanks was to play in Punchline.
Sobel starred in the final season of 227
227 (TV series)
227 is an American situation comedy that originally aired on NBC from September 14, 1985, until May 6, 1990. The series starred Marla Gibbs as a sharp-tongued, inner-city resident gossip and housewife, Mary Jenkins...
, and did voice-over work as himself on Dr. Katz, Professional Therapist
Dr. Katz, Professional Therapist
Dr. Katz, Professional Therapist is an American animated series that originally ran on Comedy Central from May 28, 1995 to December 24, 1999,–with a final set of three shelved episodes airing in 2002–starring Jonathan Katz, Jon Benjamin, and Laura Silverman...
. He played Chico on the series The Boondocks
The Boondocks (TV series)
The Boondocks is an American animated series created by Aaron McGruder on Cartoon Network's late night programing block, Adult Swim, based on McGruder's comic strip of the same name...
, and guest starred as an angel on The Parent 'Hood
The Parent 'Hood
The Parent 'Hood is an American sitcom that aired on The WB airing from January 18, 1995 to July 25, 1999. The series starred Robert Townsend and Suzzanne Douglas....
.
Recently, he has appeared in commercials in scenes from Comedy Central
Comedy Central
Comedy Central is an American cable television and satellite television channel that carries comedy programming, both original and syndicated....
's new show, "Chocolate News," starring David Alan Grier. The show debuted on Oct. 15.
External links
- Official Home Page ('features' Flash animation with loud audio, long clips and no alternate navigation options)