In the opening clip, comedian Doug Williams sat down with VladTV and described growing up in “the birthplace of the Civil Rights Movement,”  Montgomery, Alabama. Williams explained that while he grew up isolated from a lot of racism, his parents experienced pre-civil rights Alabama and were forbidden from participating in marches and demonstrations because his grandparents feared the repercussions.

Williams found his passion for performing in front of people through the church and started off as a rapper. However, his rhyming partner suggested Williams pursue comedy after realizing that Williams’ comedic rhymes didn’t gel with his more serious, conscious verses. After performing in a comedy club contest during his freshman year in college, the club’s owner gave him a job as the house MC even though he didn’t win. Through his job as the house MC, Williams was mentored by a rising Steve Harvey.

In this clip, Doug Williams speaks about moving to L.A. at the advice of his theater teacher’s agent, and leaving school with just a credit shy of graduating. He went on to explain that he booked a role in “The Nutty Professor” just two months after moving, and watching Eddie Murphy’s “genius” on set. Doug added that Eddie was humble and hoping the movie would be his big comeback, which you can hear more about above.