Bill Bellamy is the former host of "MTV JAMS," the network's daily show featuring the best videos from hip-hop and R&B artists.
A native of Newark, New Jersey, Bellamy got his start in comedy doing stand-up in such popular New York City clubs as "Sweetwaters" (where he made his debut in 1988), "The Comic Strip," "Catch A Rising Star," and "The Improv," as well as "Funny Bones" in Philadelphia and "The Comedy Store" in Los Angeles. Bellamy made his national television debut in 1990 as a featured guest on "Showtime At The Apollo." He has been featured on HBO's "Russell Simmons' Def Comedy Jam," a showcase for young black comics hosted by rap impresario Russell Simmons, and headlined the 1992 "Def Comedy Jam National Tour", which hit 60 cities nationwide.
Bellamy has also appeared on cable's "Rascal's Comedy Hour," and on the "Arsenio Hall Show." He was also one of six up-and-coming comedians chosen to be showcased on HBO's "15th Annual Young Comedians Show" in 1992. This HBO comedy series has previously helped launch the careers of such veteran comics as Robin Williams, Jay Leno, Jerry Seinfeld, and Richard Lewis, to name a few. Bellamy was also in the New Line Cinema film "Who's The Man?"
Bill's real-life-based humor touches on drug abuse, safe sex and other important contemporary issues. Citing Bill Cosby as his idol, Bellamy believes that "it's possible to make people laugh and think at the same time without being heavy-handed."
Bellamy in How to Be a Player
He must be doing something right, since he's now starring in his first leading film role -- in the comedy Def Jam's How to Be a Player. Bellamy's Casanova character was tricky to cast, since he had to appeal to both male and female audiences despite his "player" persona. "As much as the character is confident, he's like a kid in a candy store," producer and DEF Pictures co-chair Russell Simmons says of Bill's role as the ultimate playboy. "Bill is very charming and he brings a lot to the film from his stand-up comedy and MTV VJ experience. Watching and listening to him makes you feel good. He has charisma and presence, and I think he's just a natural talent."
