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Bellamy's sure it's his turn
By PAMELA DAVIS
© St. Petersburg Times, published March 1, 2001
Calling from a cell phone in Los Angeles after leaving a viewing of Chris Rock's new movie, Down to Earth, Bill Bellamy pledges his support for the comedian he considers a friend.
"We both came from the East Coast. We both worked shows together. We both made that move," Bellamy said about Rock. "With this movie, I'm wishing him a lot of luck."
And in the same breath, he notes that his own movie, Brothers, comes out in March.
That plug sums up Bellamy's career: Don't forget about me.
It seems as if Bellamy is always getting passed over for his chance at big-time comedy fame. He didn't break through after appearing on Showtime at the Apollo or HBO's Def Comedy Jam or even after landing his own Showtime comedy special, Booty Call. But he's really sure it's going to happen soon.
"I just have a gut feeling that it's my time," he says.
Plenty of people thought it was Bellamy's time years ago when he was with MTV. What happened then?
"That was just a time," he says. "MTV was a good time. Right now is the time."
He got a five-year gig hosting MTV Jams after being spotted doing a routine at a comedy club.
"MTV was amazing because it brought me into every home and got everybody to know my name and get comfortable with my personality," Bellamy says. "I became synonymous with high-profile people and music. I was on the cutting edge of everything that was hot."
After Bellamy, 33, left MTV he went on to star in movies such as How to be a Player, Love Jones and Love Stinks before landing a small role in the Oliver Stone NFL film Any Given Sunday with Al Pacino and Cameron Diaz.
But he never gave up on stand-up.
"I love it and it's everything that I am," says Bellamy, who'll be at Ybor City's new comedy club the Tampa Improv, tonight through Sunday.
"You can't beat the one-on-one with the audience. It's fulfilling as a writer when people laugh at some of the crazy ideas that you have in your head. It keeps me centered."
Out of all the things he does, including his stint as the voice of Cousin Skeeter on the Nickelodeon show of the same name, Bellamy says stand-up is by far the most challenging work he does.
"Oh yeah, stand-up is no joke. You have no parachute. You've got to be funny," he says.
"You better be good because people pay their money to come see you. You feel the pressure that you have to be good. And then, when you are it's like INCREDIBLE (he shouts into the phone). It's a feeling you would you never want to give up."
Bellamy says his humor is mature, but not profane.
"The subject matter I'm talking about is very adult. I'm not doing a Nickelodeon show, so don't bring your kids," he warns. "But I'm not Dice Clay either."
Bellamy counts comedians such as Bill Cosby, Eddie Murphy, Robin Williams, Richard Pryor and Billy Crystal among his role models.
"Bill Cosby's best influence on me was how he could tell a story. He was like really, really good with imaging when he told a story, using his facial expressions and stuff. I think I have a lot of that."
PREVIEW
Bill Bellamy performs seven shows tonight through Sunday night at the Tampa Improv, 1600 E Eighth Ave., Ybor City. Ticket prices are $17 and $20 with reservations, $22 and $25 at the door. Tickets are available by calling the club at (813) 864-4000.
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