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Top 5 Black Comic Meltdowns

Written by Casey Gane-McCalla, Lead Blogger on November 17, 2008 6:37 pm

The recent admission of Katt Williams into a mental hospital made me realize a connection between being a comedic genius and having mental problems. Being funny and being crazy have always gone together, especially in black comedy. However there’s a difference between ‘Girl he’s so crazy, he’ll crack you up’ and ‘Girl he’s so crazy, stay away from him.’

Many of our most famous comedians have had issues of their own. Sometimes comedians will take their own personal tragedies and turn them into comedy and other times comedians will use their own comedic personas to get into trouble. In light of Katt Williams recent troubles with mental issues, here is our Top 5 black comedian meltdowns.

1. Richard Pryor Setting Himself on Fire.

Although he managed to turn his traumatic, tragic experience, burning himself while free-basing on cocaine, he also shed light onto his struggles with women and drugs. Richard’s wife at the time, Jennifer Pryor said that he poured high proof rum on himself set himself on fire in a drug induced suicide attempt and that he said that it was an accident for press reasons.

Hear Richard Pryor Talk About Burning Up

2. Martin Lawrence in the Middle of the Street Threatening People With a Gun

In 1997, Lawrence had a meltdown. In LA he ran out into Ventura  Blvd with a gun and threatened tourists and random people. Sources say that Lawrence began taking psychotropic drugs and having violent outbursts on the set of his movie, A Thin Line Between Love and Hate. Martin would continue his erratic behavior, getting arrested for gun possession, going to rehab and sexually harassing his Martin co-star, Tisha Campbell.

Watch Martin Discuss His Gun in the Middle of the St. Incident

3. Dave Chappelle Goes to Africa
Dave Chappelle was at the top of the world when he left his popular show and 50 million dollars to go to South Africa. Rumors spread widely about him having mental or drug problems.In 2004 during a stand up appearance in California, Chappelle said that ‘The show is ruining my life,’ that he disliked working 20 hours a day and that the show was ruining his stand up career.
You know why my show is good? Because the network officials say you’re not smart enough to get what I’m doing, and every day I fight for you. I tell them how smart you are. Turns out, I was wrong. You people are stupid.
In South Africa, he told Time magazine:
Coming here I don’t have the distractions of fame. It quiets the ego down. I’m interested in the kind of person I’ve got to become. I want to be well rounded and the industry is a place of extremes. I want to be well balanced. I’ve got to check my intentions, man.
Watch Dave Chappelle Discuss Mental Issues and His Trip to South Africa
4. Eddie Murphy Picks Up a Tranny in LA
Although technically not a meltdown, Murphy got a lot of attention for picking up a a transsexual prostitute in Los Angeles. Although the prostitute was arrested, Murphy was let go by LA police but made the tabloid media for the incident. The transsexual prostitute, Atisone Kenneth Seiuli, said that Murphy asked him if he did this for a living, being a transsexual prostitute and that he said yes and that Eddie asked, ‘Do you like to wear lingerie…..Can I see you in lingerie?’ According to the prostitute, Eddie asked  ‘What type of sex do you like’Murphy’s version was different. He said “I’m married with three children. I’m not going to be out there screwing hookers off the street or anything like that. I’m just being a nice guy I was being a good Samaritan. It’s not the first hooker I’ve helped out. I’ve seen hookers on corners and I’ll pull over  and they’ll go, ‘Oh you’re Eddie Murphy, oh my God,’ and I’ll empty my wallet out to help.”

Despite his early anti-homosexual humor, Murphy has been rumored to engage in homosexual behavior. Many have been speculating that he is involved with his roommate and former New Edition frontman, Johnny Gill.

Watch Eddie Murphy Make Fun of Homosexuals

5. Katt Williams is Admitted to a Mental Home in South Carolina

Williams has had a lot of speculation about his mental condition recently. He caused a big stir when he missed the his job hosting the BET Hip Hop Awards and an appearance on Conan O’Brien. Sources say that he got into an argument with a female dancer and stormed offstage at the BET Hip Hop Awards, refusing to host the show. He later missed an appearance on the Conan O’Brien show and was arrested later that evening for gun possession while coming out of rapper, Jim Jones’ studio in New York. He then resurfaced in South Carolina in a bathrobe squatting in front of a motel door and was put in a mental institution by his family.

Watch Local News In South Carolina Cover Katt Williams’ Breakdown

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  • http://www.blackplanet.com/Esbuelta/ Esbuelta

    I believe drugs plays a part in the quality of the comedy and the meltdown of many entertainers. I’m not saying this is true of all of them, but in many, yes. There is one comedian listed here that I knew personally. I will not
    put the person on blast by naming him. However, this individual was quiet when not
    drugged. When he blew coke as
    I understand he frequently did,
    he became the funniest person
    I ever saw. After doing this
    for a long period of time it is
    definitely going to have a
    negative effect on the individual both physically and
    mentally.

  • http://www.blackplanet.com/littlebabymia/ littlebabymia

    Look the world is stressful right now. Let’s be positive and keep him in our prayers.

  • http://www.blackplanet.com/DARNELL222/ DARNELL222

    THEY WAY I FEEL IT IS BUNESSIS AS USUALL FOR THESE GUYS A LITTLE FREAKING OUT COMES WITH THE LIFE STYLE THAT THEY LEAD. SO LETS PRAY FOR THE BROTHER AND HOPE THROUGH HE GETS BETTER AND LEARN TO CONTROL HIS SELF CAUSE A GOOD COMEDIAN IS HARD TO FIND ESPECIALLY A 5 FT ONE

  • http://www.blackplanet.com/DARNELL222/ DARNELL222

    THEY WAY I FEEL IT IS BUSSENIS AS USUALL FOR THESE GUYS A LITTLE FREAKING OUT COMES WITH THE LIFE STYLE THAT THEY LEAD. SO LETS PRAY FOR THE BROTHER AND HOPE THROUGH HE GETS BETTER AND LEARN TO CONTROL HIS SELF CAUSE A GOOD COMEDIAN IS HARD TO FIND ESPECIALLY A 5 FT ONE

  • http://www.blackplanet.com/SassyBoo/ SassyBoo

    damn these 5 I love it so much, and 4real in real life who doesnt have problems..just cause you are famous thats why ur on the media..they are the same as u and me…..whatever they are doing…or about to do..I hope they aint doing any stupid anymore…and Ill keep my prayers to them

  • http://www.blackplanet.com/dantes96/ dantes96

    A lot of people really doesn’t see comedians as having problems. Yes, they are people but their lives should be funny all the time. Majority of them are masking your lives with a joke anyway. Look at Mo’nique, she just came out a a couple months ago that she was molested as a child by her brother. Some of them come out but some don’t. Really all anyone can do for them is pray for them and once they are ready to receive help, support them. I love all 5 of these comedians and many more. I wish for the best for them.

  • http://www.blackplanet.com/Mizz_carmel23/ Mizz_carmel23

    Yea he is acting strange. I hope that he is alright. katt williams.. These are all funny people, but they are just crazy. lol Drugs may be the issue.

  • http://www.blackplanet.com/SEXYMALCOLM/ SEXYMALCOLM

    I think Kat Williams just needs to come out the closet its deiving him krazy

  • http://www.blackplanet.com/kittykattrules/ kittykattrules

    I FIRST HEARD ABOUT KATT ON THE RAIDO AND I THOUGHT IT WAS A RUMOR HIS BABYMAMMA WAS TRYING TO START! I PRAY AND HOPE THAT HE HAS A STRONG SUPPORT TEAM AROUND HIM AND JUST TALK TO THE ONE MAN THAT HE HAS ALWAYS TALKED TO FROM THE BENNGING GOD! MY PRAYS ARE WITH HIM I AM ONE OF HIS BIGGEST FANS FROM THE EARILER DAYS! LUV U KATT STAY STRONG!

  • http://www.blackplanet.com/tomico/ tomico

    i like your movie it is so funny.

  • http://www.blackplanet.com/shuckEduckE/ shuckEduckE

    comedians naturally have mental problems. they see the world in a different way than normal people. Like Steve Harvey explained in his stand up about being blessed (or sometimes cursed) with that “3rd eye” It’s all about knowing how to cope with it. some people can some can’t.

  • http://www.blackplanet.com/benzbikerdr2005/ benzbikerdr2005

    Richard Pryor was the greatest comedian of all time.

  • http://www.blackplanet.com/SDChocolateOne/ SDChocolateOne

    I guess I’m in fine company. People are ALWAYS saying to me: “you so crazy” and “you should do stand up”
    I was flattered at first… maybe someday I’ll be #6

  • http://www.blackplanet.com/0oJanay_Marieo0/ 0oJanay_Marieo0

    Gane-McCalla needs to edit his stuff before he posts it… Seriously.

  • http://www.blackplanet.com/nlrsidestar/ nlrsidestar

    some of these stars take uppers and downers to try to keep up with their busy shedules and it does take its toll as you see here add in partying and recreational street drug use or abuse of perscription meds and boom der it is yes i said der……..and MARTIAN IS FUNNY AS H-E- DOUBLE HOCKEY STICKS …..ALL OF THEM..I WISH THEY COULD JUST GET IT TOGETHER IT SAD TO SEE ANYONE LIKE THIS…WE LOVE YOU GUYS PLEASE TAKE CARE OF YOURSELVES

  • http://www.blackplanet.com/nlrsidestar/ nlrsidestar

    THAT ABOVE MESSAGE WAS TO THE ONES THAT ARE STILL LIVING……………

  • http://www.blackplanet.com/T_Streetz7/ T_Streetz7

    hahahaha s**tts comedy mayne!!!!

  • http://www.blackplanet.com/Lil_Ma75/ Lil_Ma75

    These are some of the greatest comedians. Extreme stress comes with fame. I agree they are regular people living an extraoridinary life. We would like to think money and fame the regular ailments away but it actually intensifies it. Walk a mile in their shoes before you bad mouth them.

  • http://www.blackplanet.com/Ramses_NY/ Ramses_NY

    Im impressed how Gene is able to call himself a writer, yet didnt really write an article. Listing 5 incidents doesnt take much skill or effort…..Whats even more disgusting, is that BP would allow this kinda crap to be published on their site.

  • http://www.blackplanet.com/b-dubb25/ b-dubb25

    rip richard pryor the funniest comedian ever!

  • http://www.blackplanet.com/MrBig/ MrBig

    When Katt Williams announced on the Steve Harvey Morning Show (www.brownliquorsong.com) that he was retiring after the New Year performance in Detroit I knew he had lost his mind. Retire and do what exactly?!?

  • http://www.blackplanet.com/ImJustSmooveLikeDat/ ImJustSmooveLikeDat

    Dayum,

    Aren’t these folks human as well? What makes them any different from your average Joe, other than their talent? Geesh….So what Katt Williams had a melt down. Do you know what this man has gone through that caused this melt down? Do you even care? Cracking jokes or creating a comedy sketch is very stressful too.

    Give it a break already and find something with some dayum substance to report. Like, what can we do to help our newly elect president bring this screwed up economy back to order?

  • http://www.blackplanet.com/stupidfatandugly/ stupidfatandugly

    hahaha, is this the mighty casey who did the song “white girls”

  • http://www.blackplanet.com/Lonelii_LADii/ Lonelii_LADii

    thatz crazy as hell i never realized the connection.

  • http://www.blackplanet.com/GUTTACHICKM3GGY/ GUTTACHICKM3GGY

    Most comedians do not have very much self confidence.So they make people laugh.And that brings them some kind of reassurance.But when the glam light gets hard or theres not that many laughs.They break down.Because they feel as if theres nothing else.

  • http://www.blackplanet.com/time14u/ time14u

    One of the best comedians to ever open doors for others to follow in comedy (Richard Pryor), I use to listen to his comedy every chance I got when I was young. Of course before him there was Redd Fox but there after Richard many start to take the art and use it for what it’s suppose to be used for “humorous communication”. Thank you for the Love and Laughter Richard.

  • http://www.blackplanet.com/MOREHOUSE80/ MOREHOUSE80

    Eddie made some very hurtful things about gay people and at the time I couldn’t put my finger on it, yet all the while his real persona was screaming “something else…” self hatred!
    We need our comedians to help us in the healing of our BLACK violent communities! Look how we shoot and kill each other today compared to the 70′s!

  • http://www.blackplanet.com/Rexx_Israel/ Rexx_Israel

    I guess “white” comedians don’t go crazy or have any type of mental breakdowns…

  • http://www.blackplanet.com/A_SkinnyManzDream/ A_SkinnyManzDream

    I KNEW THIS WAS TRUE A LONG TIME AGO MOST COMEDIANS DO HAVE ISSUES. I CAN RELATE AND I’M NO REAL COMEDIAN..I’M THE COMEDIAN IN MY GROUP OF FRIENDS THEY ALWAYS TELL ME I SHOULD TRY OUT FOR COMIC VIEW, BUT I HONESTLY WOULDN’T BE SO FUNNY IF I WASN’T IN SOME SORT OF PAIN, MAKING PPL LAUGH HELPS ME DEAL WITH INNER STRUGGLES.

  • http://www.blackplanet.com/NeoRockstar/ NeoRockstar

    I agree with dave chapelle it is something very jacked up about hollywood when these comedians/actors become big! It is sad. i love them all and grew up watching all of them.If you noticed all of them had to take a break away from the bulls**t. We should be behind them 100%. Katt williams is brilliant and i hope he gets better; whatever the situation is.

  • http://www.blackplanet.com/eJams/ eJams

    The pressure to be funny is enormous. Most of these guys went from nothing to multi-millionaires. Fame and fortune on this level can also cause one to blur the line between fantasy and reality. If you are not well grounded, knowing who to trust and who to believe can be quite confusing. Unfortunately, there will be many more talented and successful comedians who fall into the same trap.

  • http://www.blackplanet.com/Watcher13/ Watcher13

    Let’s keep it real…..When you sell your soul to demonic forces, there is a price to pay. Many of these people used profane language to propel themselves to the top, at the cost of the morals of our youth. And it cost them dearly… If what I am saying is not based in truth, then why once they get big and get a TV show, they clean up their acts? They set a pace and they know in their hearts that they are effecting our ace in negative ways, and that pressure is too much for them…As for Eddie… funny story… in NYC while working in 1985… we were intruduced to two gay guys that worked in the fashion industry… At the time Eddie was high on the hetero male cool list… When they told us that Eddie had a thing for drag queens.. Needless to say, we did not buy it, and with all of our might fought to discredit this rumor……….Imagine my wonderment when years later he was caught with a drag queen…..coincidence????????????? It has been black comedians that has given the word N—er the power that it has…starting with Richard…. The Watcher13

  • http://forum.rapgodfathers.com/latest-news/324247-kat-williams-last-interview-announces-dec-31st-he-will-retiring-comedy.html#post5931337 Kat Williams Last Interview?: Announces On Dec 31st He Will Be Retiring From Comedy & – Rap GodFathers Community

    [...] Wats up with comedians having meltdowns? The good ones too. Top 5 Black Comic Meltdowns | NewsOne [...]

  • http://forum.rapgodfathers.com/latest-news/324247-kat-williams-last-interview-announces-dec-31st-he-will-retiring-comedy-2.html#post5934724 Kat Williams Last Interview?: Announces On Dec 31st He Will Be Retiring From Comedy & – Page 2 – Rap GodFathers Community

    [...] Posted by henrey713 Wats up with comedians having meltdowns? The good ones too. Top 5 Black Comic Meltdowns | NewsOne I’m guessing that nobody takes them seriously off stage and they think everything they say is a [...]

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