{{Short description|American comedian (born 1971/72)}} {{for|the voice actor who has been credited with the same name|Steve Kramer (actor)}} {{Use mdy dates|date=July 2024}} {{Infobox person | name = Drew Thomas | image = | image_size = | alt = | caption = | birth_date = {{birth based on age as of date|36|2008|01|31}}<ref name="McNeir2008-01-31">{{cite news |last=McNeir |first=D. Kevin |date=January 31, 2008 |title=Healing power of comedy takes ATL by storm |url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-atlanta-voice/147653233/ |newspaper=Atlanta Voice |via=Newspapers.com |accessdate=May 19, 2024 |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20240519011831/https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-atlanta-voice/147653233/ |archivedate=May 19, 2024 }}</ref> | birth_place = | education = {{ubl|Georgia Perimeter College|Kennesaw State University}} | website = {{URL|https://www.comeseedrew.com/}} | module = {{Infobox comedian|embed=yes | medium = {{hlist|Stand-up|television}} | subject = {{hlist|Relationship issues|recent news|everyday life}} }} }} '''Drew Thomas''' (born 1971 or 1972<ref name="McNeir2008-01-31"/>) is an American comedian. Born in Jamaica, Thomas immigrated to New York when he was nine years old and was raised in The Bronx. He received degrees in theater from Georgia Perimeter College and Kennesaw State University. Right before becoming a comedian, he worked as a car salesman for about half a decade at an Atlanta car dealership. At the beginning of his comedy career, he won two comedy competitions, and the magazine ''Creative Loafing'' named him the best local comedian in 2006.
Thomas hosted the open mic session Phat Comedy Showcase at Twisted Taco and Funny Farm Comedy Club in 2008. For three years, he opened for the comedian Rodney Carrington's ''Laughter's Good'' tour. He opened for numerous singers and musical groups. Thomas is a frequent headliner at The Comedy & Magic Club in Hermosa Beach, California, and Brad Garrett's Comedy Club in MGM Grand Las Vegas. He made his television debut on a Robert Townsend comedy special, ''Partners in Crime'', in 2006. Thomas' other television appearances include season 6 in 2008 and season 9 in 2015 of the ''Last Comic Standing'', ''The Late Late Show with Craig Ferguson'' in 2010, and the Fox television show ''Laughs'' in 2016. His comedy material focuses on relationship issues, recent news, and everyday life.
==Early life and early career== Born in 1971 or 1972, Drew Thomas was raised in Kingston, Jamaica.<ref name="McNeir2008-01-31"/><ref name="Allen2018-02-16">{{cite news |last=Allen |first=Will |date=February 16, 2018 |title=Last Comic Standing's Drew Thomas headlines Creekside Comedy Night |url=https://charlestoncitypaper.com/2018/02/16/last-comic-standings-drew-thomas-headlines-creekside-comedy-night/ |newspaper=Charleston City Paper |accessdate=May 19, 2024 |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20240519010728/https://charlestoncitypaper.com/2018/02/16/last-comic-standings-drew-thomas-headlines-creekside-comedy-night/ |archivedate=May 19, 2024 }}</ref> When he was nine years old, Thomas immigrated to New York alongside his family.<ref name="Peru2019-06-26">{{cite news |last=Peru |first=Yasmine |date=June 26, 2019 |title=Drew Thomas takes comedy seriously - Booked for Live Comedy Bar Special |url=https://jamaica-gleaner.com/article/entertainment/20190626/drew-thomas-takes-comedy-seriously-booked-live-comedy-bar-special |newspaper=The Gleaner |accessdate=May 19, 2024 |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20240519010736/https://jamaica-gleaner.com/article/entertainment/20190626/drew-thomas-takes-comedy-seriously-booked-live-comedy-bar-special |archivedate=May 19, 2024 }}</ref> He grew up in The Bronx and received a theater degree from Georgia Perimeter College.<ref name="Denney2016-08-25">{{cite news |last=Denney |first=Ken |date=August 25, 2016 |title=VR Comedy Series to feature Thomas |url=https://www.times-georgian.com/vr-comedy-series-to-feature-thomas/article_50b9ac62-f714-57ab-ac5e-cfb60ceb9836.html |newspaper=Times-Georgian |publisher=Paxton Media Group |accessdate=May 19, 2024 |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20240519010745/https://www.times-georgian.com/vr-comedy-series-to-feature-thomas/article_50b9ac62-f714-57ab-ac5e-cfb60ceb9836.html |archivedate=May 19, 2024 }}</ref><ref name="Krage2015-10-07">{{cite news |last=Krage |first=Kelly |date=October 7, 2015 |title=Drew Thomas on Marriage |url=https://power96radio.com/drew-thomas-on-marriage/ |publisher=KQCL |accessdate=May 19, 2024 |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20240519010757/https://power96radio.com/drew-thomas-on-marriage/ |archivedate=May 19, 2024 }}</ref> Before seeking to become a comedian, Thomas was a car salesman for Toyota vehicles at an Atlanta dealership for five or six years.<ref name="Denney2016-08-25"/><ref name="McIntyre2019-04-17">{{cite news |last=McIntyre |first=Michael K. |date=April 17, 2019 |title=Drew Thomas at the MGM Northfield, and the Alan Cox Show Comedy Tour hits the Cleveland Masonic |url=https://www.cleveland.com/entertainment/2019/04/drew-thomas-at-the-mgm-northfield-and-the-alan-cox-show-comedy-tour-hits-the-cleveland-masonic.html |newspaper=The Plain Dealer |accessdate=May 19, 2024 |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20240519010806/https://www.cleveland.com/entertainment/2019/04/drew-thomas-at-the-mgm-northfield-and-the-alan-cox-show-comedy-tour-hits-the-cleveland-masonic.html |archivedate=May 19, 2024 }}</ref>
Thomas cited several influences for becoming a comedian. While growing up in Jamaica, he watched British television shows, saying it was all that was available on television. Thomas said he enjoys irony and the dry humor in British humor. He cited his father, a person with a good sense of humor, who performed at weddings.<ref name="Peru2019-06-26"/> Another inspiration was a comedy album by Eddie Murphy.<ref name="Allen2018-02-16"/> Thomas called Dave Chappelle his favorite comedian, saying Chappelle "is fearless, a great writer and will explore a topic beyond what a normal performer will".<ref name="Peru2019-06-26"/> Once he committed to pursuing comedy professionally, Thomas began studying at the Kennesaw State University, where he received a theater degree, his second college degree.<ref name="Peru2019-06-26"/>
==Career== At the beginning of his comedy career, Thomas won two comedy competitions and subsequently became a frequent performer at the Atlanta-based Punch Line Club.<ref name="Denney2016-08-25"/> The arts and culture magazine ''Creative Loafing'' selected him as the best local comedian in 2006.<ref name="Denney2016-08-25"/><ref name="Creative Loafing Best Local Comedian">{{cite magazine |title=Best Local Comedian |url=https://creativeloafing.com/bestofatlanta-407080-best-local-comedian |magazine=Creative Loafing |accessdate=May 19, 2024 |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20240519010816/https://creativeloafing.com/bestofatlanta-407080-best-local-comedian |archivedate=May 19, 2024 }}</ref> In giving him the award, the magazine said, "With his quick wit and smooth delivery, Drew Thomas has become a force in Atlanta's comedy scene."<ref name="Creative Loafing Best Local Comedian"/> When he received the award, Thomas had performed with the comedians Bill Bellamy, Bill Burr, D. L. Hughley, Aries Spears, and Ron White during tours.<ref name="Creative Loafing Best Local Comedian"/>
Thomas in 2007 typically hosted Twisted Taco's Phat Comedy Showcase, an open mic session where between six and eight hopeful comedians would perform for five minutes.<ref name="Murchison2007-08-10">{{cite news |last=Murchison |first=Adrianne M. |date=August 10, 2007 |title=Funny Farm Comedy Club: Wednesday's open mic a showcase of raw talent |url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-atlanta-constitution/147652748/|newspaper=The Atlanta Journal-Constitution |via=Newspapers.com |accessdate=May 19, 2024 |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20240519010918/https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-atlanta-constitution/147652748/ |archivedate=May 19, 2024 }}</ref> In 2008, Thomas was the host of the Phat Comedy Showcase put on at Twisted Taco on Tuesdays and at Funny Farm Comedy Club on Wednesdays. He spent the following four days of the week traveling to various places to perform comedy.<ref name="McNeir2008-01-31"/> He entertained at many clubs and had entertained at more than 75 colleges and universities by 2019.<ref name="Peru2019-06-26"/><ref name="Morning2011-05-20">{{cite news |date=May 20, 2011 |title=Lorain's Rivas jokes, produces and hosts comedy gigs |url=https://www.morningjournal.com/2011/05/20/lorains-rivas-jokes-produces-and-hosts-comedy-gigs/ |newspaper=The Morning Journal |accessdate=May 19, 2024 |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20240519011014/https://www.morningjournal.com/2011/05/20/lorains-rivas-jokes-produces-and-hosts-comedy-gigs/ |archivedate=May 19, 2024 }}</ref> His work at Phat Comedy assisted in launching the careers of himself and numerous fellow stand-up comedians.<ref name="Cathcart2018-03-01">{{cite magazine |last=Cathcart |first=Olivia |date=March 1, 2018 |title=See & Do: Drew Thomas. The ever-busy Thomas swings by his old Southern stomping grounds again for one night at Relapse Theatre on Fri., March 2 |url=https://creativeloafing.com/content-307549-see-do-drew-thomas |magazine=Creative Loafing |accessdate=May 19, 2024 |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20240519011027/https://creativeloafing.com/content-307549-see-do-drew-thomas |archivedate=May 19, 2024 }}</ref>
For the comedian Rodney Carrington's ''Laughter's Good'' tour, Thomas was the opener for three years. He performed at the numerous American and Canadian arenas, casinos, and theaters at which the tour was held. He was the opening act for the singers Morris Day, Al Green, Tito Jackson, Chaka Khan, MC Hammer, Jeffrey Osborne and the musical groups Boyz II Men, The Isley Brothers, Salt-N-Pepa, and The Temptations.<ref name="Peru2019-06-26"/> Thomas had a residency at Chumash Casino Resort in 2015 called Drew's Comedy Club.<ref name="Mann2015-11-27">{{cite news |last=Mann |first=L. Paul |date=November 27, 2015 |title=Paul Mann: Salt-N-Pepa Party Like It's 1999 at Chumash Resort |url=https://www.noozhawk.com/paul_mann_salt_n_pepa_party_like_its_1999_at_chumash_resort/ |newspaper=Noozhawk |accessdate=May 19, 2024 |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20240519011124/https://www.noozhawk.com/paul_mann_salt_n_pepa_party_like_its_1999_at_chumash_resort/ |archivedate=May 19, 2024 }}</ref><ref name="Acorn2016-05-10">{{cite news |date=May 10, 2016 |title=Stand-up coming to L.R. Greens |url=https://www.toacorn.com/articles/stand-up-coming-to-l-r-greens/ |newspaper=Thousand Oaks Acorn |publisher=Times Media Group |accessdate=May 19, 2024 |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20240519011112/https://www.toacorn.com/articles/stand-up-coming-to-l-r-greens/ |archivedate=May 19, 2024 }}</ref> During an opening that year for Salt-N-Pepa at the Chumash Casino Resort, he greeted tardy arrivals with a mocking introduction. Observing that the audience enjoyed his performance, ''Noozhawk''{{'}}s L. Paul Mann called Thomas "a fitting opening act".<ref name="Mann2015-11-27"/>
Thomas performed in Jamaica for International Comedy Fest in 2007, Come Mek We Laugh in 2010, and the Johnny Live Comedy Bar Special in 2019 at the Hope Botanical Gardens's Shell Bandstand venue.<ref name="Peru2019-06-26"/><ref name="Cooke2007-06-29">{{cite news |last=Cooke |first=Mel |date=June 29, 2007 |title=Buteau home with a laugh |url=https://old.jamaica-gleaner.com/gleaner/20070629/ent/ent5.html |newspaper=The Gleaner |accessdate=May 19, 2024 |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20240519011102/https://old.jamaica-gleaner.com/gleaner/20070629/ent/ent5.html |archivedate=May 19, 2024 }}</ref> During his 2010 performance in Jamaica, he discussed relationships, Jamaican restaurants, and United States–based Jamaican mechanics in a showing that ''The Gleaner''{{'}}s Marcia Rowe called "hilarious".<ref name="Rowe2010-12-08">{{cite news |last=Rowe |first=Marcia |date=December 8, 2010 |title='Johnny' spices up 'Come Mek Wi Laaf' |url=https://jamaica-gleaner.com/gleaner/20101208/ent/ent3.html |newspaper=The Gleaner |accessdate=May 19, 2024 |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20240519011103/https://jamaica-gleaner.com/gleaner/20101208/ent/ent3.html |archivedate=May 19, 2024 }}</ref> He is a frequent headliner at The Comedy & Magic Club in Hermosa Beach, California, and Brad Garrett's Comedy Club in MGM Grand Las Vegas.<ref name="Denney2016-08-25"/>
==Comedy material== Thomas' comedy material discusses relationship issues, recent news, and everyday life.<ref name="Chattanooga2018-01-10">{{cite news |date=January 10, 2018 |title=Laugh out loud with Drew Thomas at Comedy Catch |url=https://www.timesfreepress.com/news/2018/jan/10/lol-drew-thomas/ |newspaper=Chattanooga Times Free Press |accessdate=May 19, 2024 |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20240519011116/https://www.timesfreepress.com/news/2018/jan/10/lol-drew-thomas/ |archivedate=May 19, 2024 }}</ref> He examines life's natural contrasts such as "Evil Drew" against "Good Drew", the contrasts between black people and white people, and the comparison of what men and women go through.<ref name="Owen2017-07-12">{{cite news |last=Owen |first=Brent |date=July 12, 2017 |title=Comedian Drew Thomas on being black in the south |url=https://www.leoweekly.com/arts/comedian-drew-thomas-on-being-black-in-the-south-15767835 |newspaper=Louisville Eccentric Observer |accessdate=May 19, 2024 |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20240519011122/https://www.leoweekly.com/arts/comedian-drew-thomas-on-being-black-in-the-south-15767835 |archivedate=May 19, 2024 }}</ref> Thomas relates a joke that contrasts how men and women view getting married in which women are overjoyed while men are not.<ref name="Cleveland2016-05-19">{{cite news |date=May 19, 2016 |title=10 Events You Don't Want to Miss in Cleveland This Weekend (May 20–22) |url=https://www.clevescene.com/cleveland/10-events-you-dont-want-to-miss-in-cleveland-this-weekend-may-20-22/Slideshow/38342814/38242763 |newspaper=Cleveland Scene |accessdate=May 19, 2024 |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20240519011131/https://www.clevescene.com/cleveland/10-events-you-dont-want-to-miss-in-cleveland-this-weekend-may-20-22/Slideshow/38342814/38242763 |archivedate=May 19, 2024 }}</ref> He starts the joke by saying, "When men talk about marriage to our friends, it sounds like something you get diagnosed with."<ref name="McIntyre2019-04-17"/> In another joke, he is dating a single mother. Having met her only twice, he said "the school called me to come pick up her son. You can't put my name on the list to come pick up your son. I only seen this dude two times in the dark at your house."<ref name="McIntyre2018-04-18">{{cite news |last=McIntyre |first=Michael K. |date=April 18, 2018 |title=Drew Thomas, Mia Jackson share the stage at Hilarities and Michael Blackson plays to sold out shows at the Cleveland Improv |url=https://www.cleveland.com/entertainment/2018/04/drew_thomas_mia_jackson_share.html |newspaper=The Plain Dealer |accessdate=May 19, 2024 |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20240519011141/https://www.cleveland.com/entertainment/2018/04/drew_thomas_mia_jackson_share.html |archivedate=May 19, 2024 }}</ref> He directly engages the audience, frequently mocking the attire of people sitting near the stage.<ref name="Cleveland2016-05-19"/>
==Television career== Around 2006, Thomas made his television debut for a Robert Townsend comedy special, ''Partners in Crime'', that aired on the Black Family Channel.<ref name="Denney2016-08-25"/><ref name="Creative Loafing Best Local Comedian"/> He did a special for Great American Pure Flix's show ''Comedy All Stars''.<ref name="Peru2019-06-26"/> Thomas competed on two seasons of the NBC show ''Last Comic Standing'', season 6 in 2008 and season 9 in 2015.<ref name="Peru2019-06-26"/><ref name="Szaroleta2020-12-18">{{cite news |last=Szaroleta |first=Tom |date=December 18, 2020 |title=Do This! Holiday events fill weekend calendar |url=https://www.jacksonville.com/story/entertainment/2020/12/18/do-this-holiday-events-fill-weekend-calendar/6546939002/ |newspaper=The Florida Times-Union |accessdate=May 19, 2024 |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20240519011154/https://www.jacksonville.com/story/entertainment/2020/12/18/do-this-holiday-events-fill-weekend-calendar/6546939002/ |archivedate=May 19, 2024 }}</ref><ref name="Cathcart2015-12-31">{{cite magazine |last=Cathcart |first=Olivia |date=December 31, 2015 |title=Mia Jackson |magazine=Creative Loafing |id={{ProQuest|1760351515}} }}</ref> He reached the show's finals.<ref name="Overcash2010-12-14">{{cite magazine |last=Overcash |first=Anita |date=December 14, 2010 |title=Comedy: Drew Thomas |url=https://clclt.com/charlotte/comedy-drew-thomas/Content?oid=2175921 |magazine=Creative Loafing Charlotte |accessdate=May 19, 2024 |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20240519011215/https://clclt.com/charlotte/comedy-drew-thomas/Content?oid=2175921 |archivedate=May 19, 2024 }}</ref> Thomas performed on ''The Late Late Show with Craig Ferguson'' in 2010.<ref name="Times2010-08-02">{{cite news |date=August 2, 2010 |title=Tuesday's Talk Shows |url=https://www.latimes.com/archives/blogs/show-tracker/story/2010-08-02/tuesdays-talk-shows |newspaper=Los Angeles Times |accessdate=May 19, 2024 |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20240519011220/https://www.latimes.com/archives/blogs/show-tracker/story/2010-08-02/tuesdays-talk-shows |archivedate=May 19, 2024 }}</ref> He made comedy series at the Chumash Casino Resort and Morongo Casino, Resort & Spa.<ref name="Peru2019-06-26"/> He appeared on the Fox television show ''Laughs'' in 2016.<ref name="Owen2017-07-12"/><ref name="Laughs2016-10-12">{{cite news |date=October 12, 2016 |title=Laughs Episode 308: Comic's Choice with Lace Larrabee (Full episode) |url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZICXL5TfopA |work=Laughs |via=YouTube |accessdate=May 19, 2024 |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20240519011300/https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZICXL5TfopA |archivedate=May 19, 2024 }}</ref>
==Reception== Writing for ''Creative Loafing Charlotte'', Anita Overcash found that "his personal stories — centering in on everything from random occurrences to past relationships — are funny enough to make crowds laugh out loud."<ref name="Overcash2010-12-14"/> The ''Chattanooga Times Free Press'' said in 2018 that as Thomas discusses his relationship issues, recent news, and everyday life, Thomas captivates his viewers. According to the newspaper, "His quick wit and smooth delivery are the perfect combination for laughing out loud."<ref name="Chattanooga2018-01-10"/> Yasmine Peru of ''The Gleaner'' said in 2019 that Thomas is "known for his face-hurting laughter, his keen retorts on everyday life, his quick wit and smooth delivery" as he shares the misunderstandings and missteps in his relationships.<ref name="Peru2019-06-26"/>
==References== {{reflist}}
==External links== * [https://www.comeseedrew.com/ Official website]
{{DEFAULTSORT:Thomas, Drew}} Category:1970s births Category:Living people Category:21st-century African-American people Category:21st-century American comedians Category:African-American male comedians Category:African-American stand-up comedians Category:American male comedians Category:American stand-up comedians Category:Comedians from Atlanta Category:Comedians from the Bronx Category:Jamaican comedians Category:Jamaican emigrants to the United States Category:Kennesaw State University alumni Category:People from Kingston, Jamaica Category:Perimeter College at Georgia State University alumni Category:Year of birth missing (living people)