GUY-OGRAPHY
IN THE BEGINNING
Originally born in Fort Ord, CA to Sgt. First Class Robert Guy Torry Sr. and Mrs. Rebecca Torry. Guy who is number five of six siblings were uprooted at the age of four and moved to Jamaica Queens, New York. There they would spend the next three years of their lives there before moving and settling in St. Louis, Mo. Guy completed the majority of his schooling in the St. Louis area, which is why he affectionately calls home. Guy, who never thought about a career in entertainment, but became the center of attention in high school, college, as well on jobs by holding impromptu comedy shows where ever there as a crowd. Whether it be school busses, lunch or break rooms, Guy would gladly entertain anyone who would listen.
GOING BACK TO CALI
Guy's idea to move to Los Angeles following his two older brothers, Lt. Col. Ramon Torry in the US Army and Comedian/Actor Joe Torry, at the age of 23 to complete his college education and earn his degree. After about two weeks and being bitten by the Russell Simmons “Def Comedy Jam” show on HBO, Guy decided to follow his brother Joe's footsteps and pursue a career in entertainment. He would do several odd jobs to pay the bills and put food in his belly.Guy was relentless in becoming a professional stand-up comic. He would sometimes perform his act 2 and three times a night at the local comedy clubs in the Southern California area.
GUY-OGAPHY
MO' FUNNY MO' MONEY
His first paid gig came only two months of doing comedy at popular downtown LA dance club called "CLUB SAFE SEX". His pay was $20 dollars, but to Guy it felt like 2 million. Four months later Guy entered a comedy competition and beat out several veterans, some who had appeared on HBO’s “Def Comedy Jam”, and it was then when he really realized that he might have what it takes to make it in show business.
MULTI-TALENTED
In the tradition of comedians who have made the transition from the stage to the screen, such as Richard Pryor Eddie Murphy, Martin Lawrence, and Bill Cosby, the multi-talented Guy Torry has made the leap to comedic and dramatic actor with great success. But he didn’t stop there, you can now add Executive Producer to his resume. Guy created and Executive produced the hit three part docu-series, “Phat Tuesdays ;The Era of Hip Hop Comedy” currently streaming on Amazon Prime. This was named New York Times “Best Documentary of 2022 and received 100% on “Rotten Tomatoes”. This incredible production is directed by Reginald Hudlin and also Co-Executive Produced by Kelsey Grammer. Mr. Torry also recently wrapped up a stint as co-host on the nationally syndicated legendary “Tom Joyner Morning Show”. Also streaming is his stand up set; “Snoop. Dogg Presents; Just. F’N Around” Comedy Special.
BLOOD SWEAT & TEARS
Guy continued to do odd jobs, while hitting the comedy club pavement at night. One of his big breaks came when he was hired as a production assistant for the Fox television sitcom “Martin”. The show starred comedian Martin Lawrence who was also the host of Def Comedy Jam. Guy would later go one to guest star and write an episode of the show that aired named “Romantic Weekend”. His first huge comedy break came in 1994 when Bob Sumner, the talent coordinator for Def Comedy Jam called on Guy to appear on the popular show. With the blessing of his brother Joe, who had become the host replacing Martin Lawrence, Guy was poised to make his debut to the world.
Guy went on to join the national tour and also write for the TV version of the show for the guest hosts over the next 2 years. He also, would do other writing for sitcoms like “Moesha” and “Minor Adjustments.”
GUY-OGAPHY
STARTED FROM BOTTOM NOW I'M HERE
What Guy is most proud of is his comedy show that he created, produced, and hosted in 1995, at the World Famous Comedy Store. For 10 years, Guy had the hottest comedy night in the country. Originally called Phat Comedy Tuesday, he later changed the name to The Guy Torry Comedy Show. The night would attract A list comedians and celebrities from around the country. Stars like Eddie Murphy, Richard Pryor, Prince, Charlie Pride, Shaq, Jay Z, Kanye West, Chris Rock, Chris Tucker, Dave Chappelle, Joe Torry, Bernie Mac, Cedric the Entertainer, Steve Harvey and many more. Hollywood scouts and producers used Guy’s room as a means to scout talent. This prompted “Kings Of Comedy” creator and producer, Walter Latham, to call on Guy to be the original host of the national tour that starred Bernie Mac, Steve Harvey and Cedric “The Entertainer”.
Due to a busy schedule of touring, radio, and acting, Guy decided to pass the Phat Tuesdays torch in 2005 and focus on a then marriage to Monica Askew, who he proposed to on the “Tonight Show” with Jay Leno in 2001.
In his acting career, Guy has starred in critically acclaimed movies such as American History X, “Pearl Harbor”, “Life”, “Runaway Jury”, “Don’t Say A Word”, and the NBC mini series “The 70’s”. Guy has starred in several movies and were the lead in two UPN shows “Good News”, created by Ed. Weinberger, and “The Strip” produced by Joel Silver. TV shows over the years and continues to write, tour and act. . In 2010, he also toured and opened for the national Maxwell Jill Scott “The Tour”, playing venues like Madison Square Garden, the Staple Center and several other arenas. Guy is working on a comedy special and tours 35-40 weeks a year doing anywhere from 250 to 300 shows. He currently Guy is single and living in Los Angeles, CA.
