One of the first to introduce the world to famous comedians the likes of D.L. Hughley and Cedric The Entertainer, Political comedian Darryl “D’Militant” Littleton passed away last weekend in Los Angeles, California.
There has not been any official news on the cause of death, but many have speculated to be the complication of cancer. Tributes have been flooding social media for the comedian following the news of his passing. Littleton was well-respected by many of today’s biggest stars as they shared their fondest memories of the comedian on twitter and instagram.
Darryl Littleton began his comedy career writing sketches for The Tom Joyner Morning Show on CBS Radio. During his tenure there, he became a regular at the world famous The Comedy Store and adopted the stage name, “D’Militant” for his slicing and incisive social and political commentary.
Darryl’s crackling wit won him respect and admiration from the industry’s top comics, among them D. L. Hughley, who tapped Darryl to be his exclusive writer during his years as host of BET’s ComicView. Darryl’s talent was immediately recognized, and he was hired as writer/producer for the show, where he penned material for Cedric the Entertainer, Sommore and Don DC Curry.
Darryl’s comedic talents also landed him in front of the camera, where he guest starred on Robert Townsend’s WB sitcom, The Parent Hood and was a recurring performer on Townsend’s variety show Townsend Television for Fox. Darryl also appeared on The Apollo Comedy Hour, Uptown Comedy Club, HBO’s Def Comedy Jam, Comedy Central’s Make Me Laugh, Telemundo’s Loco Comedy Jam, Byron Allen’s Comics Unleashed and ABC’s America’s Funniest People; he was the Grand Prize Winner.
Darryl has also toured the world as a stand-up comedian, working with such luminaries as Chris Rock, Steve Harvey, D.L. Hughley, Earthquake, Cedric the Entertainer, Dick Gregory, Mike Epps, John Witherspoon, Reynaldo Rey, Paul Mooney, Sherri Shepherd, and Robert Townsend.
In 2006 he added to his accolades when he won the prestigious Bay Area Black Comedy Competition’s on its 20th Anniversary. That same year Darryl was added to National Public Radio’s list of contributing commentators immediately following the release of his first book, Black Comedians on Black Comedy chronicling the history of African-American comedy featuring interviews with 125 of the industry’s biggest stars. This prestigious work is a mainstay in libraries throughout the country and allowed Darryl to produce it along with award winning director Robert Townsend as a full length documentary, entitled, Why We Laugh, which made its premiere at the Sundance Film Festival in 2009 and Showtime in February 2010.
The comedian / author is the first African- American on the advisory board of the Comedy Hall of Fame and served as script supervisor, touring host and personal writer for mega-star, Katt Williams. Darryl’s own critically acclaimed comedy CD, “Am I Lying?!” is in stores and online. His second book, Pimp Down: The Rise & Fall of Katt Williams has been optioned for a theatrical film and his third, “Forefathers”, the story of the American Revolution told from a black perspective is being adapted for the big screen. Darryl’s book entitled, Comediennes: Laugh Be a Lady was released in the Fall 2012.
We Own The Laughs would like to send our thoughts and prayers to Darryl Littleton’s family and close friends as they deal with this unexpected loss.
