DANIA BEACH – Word of comic Lavell Crawford’s death surprised many – none more than Crawford himself.
Some 15 years ago Crawford first learned of his own passing via a call from his own manager as he prepared to take the stage for what the comic termed “a big show.”
“He called me and was like “Thank God! Thank God!” Crawford said. “I was like, what are you talking about, ‘Thank God’? Man, man they just said you were dead. I was like, Damn, man, you just saw me. You just talked to me earlier in the day.”
Rumors of Crawford’s spread so virally that even the Wikipedia page devoted to him proclaimed his expiration.
Far from dead, Crawford’s been killing on stage for the better part of the decade-and-a-half since his supposed demise. Want proof? Check him out in person this weekend at the Dania Improv, where he’ll perform five shows over three nights, beginning on Friday at 7:30 p.m.
A comiedian for 35 years, Crawford is currently enjoying one the most successful stretches of his career. Crawford’s most recent DVD, “The Comedy Vaccine” earned a Grammy nomination in 2021’s Best Comedy Album category. The other nominees included comedy giants Kevin Hart, Dave Chappelle, Louis C. K. and Lewis Black.
“Hey, nominated for a Grammy? That ain’t something I ever looked for,” said Crawford, who cites his 2005 appearance on “Last Comic Standing” with launching him to national prominence. “It surpassed all the other things that I thought I would have wanted.”
The author of “Comedy School Guide to Stand Up,” available on Amazon, Crawford also has a forthcoming children’s book entitled “Fishing with My Big Daddy” that’s available for pre-order on Amazon.
Crawford is also wrapping a successful run in the recurring role of Huell Babineaux, a character who made his debut as a body guard on “Breaking Bad” and continued into the spin-off, “Better Call Saul.”
The role, in which he acts alongside fellow comic Bill Burr, isn’t an overtly comedic part, but it does have it’s humorous undertones.
“It was fantastic. Anybody would love to be on it,” Crawford said of his “Breaking Bad” experience. “It’s a pretty great opportunity to be part of some great talent. I don’t know where the down side is.”
Crawford reprises the role in one episode during the upcoming final season of “Better Cal Saul.”
“I like just being a part of something,” Crawford said. “If you can show other talents, it
is always good to be able to change your level of skill.”
Crawford’s stand-up comedy skill is unquestioned. He will perform two shows on Friday (7:30 p.m., 10 p.m.), two more on Saturday (7 p.m., 9:30 p.m.) and a 7 p.m. Sunday show.
Part of those shows will include material from his Grammy-nominated album, but Crawford intends to draw from all of his three-plus decades of entertaining during the performances.
“I’m just going to have fun, give them a taste of everything,” Crawford said. “People are hilarious. They always want to hear something they’ve already heard before. I’m going to mix it up and do what I want to do.”
Comics Isiah Kelly and Justin Goldsmith are scheduled to be his openers.
During his time in Florida, when he’s not on stage, Crawford intends to be on the water. An avid fisherman – as the title of his children’s book suggests – Crawford enjoys both offshore and fresh water fishing. And it’s hard to find a better place to enjoy that hobby than South Florida.
“That’s one thing I love about coming to Florida – so many different species of fish,” Crawford said.
