Andrew Dice Clay

Andrew Dice Clay (born Andrew Clay Silverstein; September 29, 1957) is an American stand-up comedian and actor. He rose to prominence in the late 1980s with a brash, deliberately offensive persona known as "The Diceman". In 1990, he became the first stand-up comedian to sell out Madison Square Garden for two consecutive nights. That same year, he played the lead role in the comedy-mystery film ''The Adventures of Ford Fairlane''.

Clay has appeared in several films and television shows, including critically acclaimed supporting roles in Woody Allen's ''Blue Jasmine'' (2013) and the 2018 remake of '' A Star Is Born'', the latter of which earned him a Screen Actors Guild Award nomination. He continues his acting career while also touring and performing stand-up. The television show ''Dice'' aired on Showtime for two seasons. He also launched a podcast, ''I'm Ova Hea' Now'', in September 2018.

Early life

Clay was born to parents Jacqueline and Fred Silverstein in the Sheepshead Bay neighborhood of Brooklyn in New York City, where he was raised. He is Jewish. He has one sister. Clay's father was a boxer and real estate agent.

At age five, Clay was entertaining his family with impressions, and by seven he was playing drums, inspired by the sounds of big band music. Clay attended James Madison High School in Brooklyn and as a teenager worked as a drummer on the Catskill Mountains circuit in the 1970s, playing bar mitzvahs and weddings under the name Clay Silvers. Upon returning to New York City, he failed to form a big band of his own. He pursued higher education but dropped out to become a full-time comedian. Clay cites Elvis Presley, Fonzie, John Travolta, and Sylvester Stallone as his heroes.

Career

1970s

Clay began his stand-up career in 1978 when he auditioned at Pips comedy club in Sheepshead Bay, which turned into a headline spot at the venue the next week, billed as Andrew Clay. His act was mainly impressions, including a character named "The Diceman", based on Jerry Lewis as Buddy Love from '' The Nutty Professor'', which transformed into John Travolta in '' Grease''. It took him three weeks to prepare the act. A picture of him on stage during his early sets at Pips was described: "In a baggy white shirt, pants rolled up to his knees and a pair of thick glasses", with a black leather jacket underneath the shirt so he could seamlessly switch to his Travolta character when the lights went out. With his new act, Clay graduated to larger and more prestigious comedy venues, including The Improv, Catch a Rising Star, and Dangerfield's. He recalled his father being supportive of his act during one performance at Dangerfield's. "He knew it was different right off the bat ..He saw it worked". The persona was more of a shock to his mother, but she got used to it and he recalled her laughing at his jokes.

1980s

By 1980, Clay had moved to Los Angeles and landed work at the Comedy Store, owned by Mitzi Shore. His sets were not an instant hit, and because of his dirty act and her unwillingness to have other comics follow him, Shore had Clay perform at late hours, making him "wait and perform for ten drunks". In 1982, Clay landed his first film role, in '' Wacko''. In 1983, Clay added the "Diceman" moniker to his name and no longer relied on impressions, instead creating an alter ego based on his heroes. He first used the act at the Comedy Store after he was asked to fill in for a comic who canceled their spot. He said: "I didn't have my Jerry Lewis stuff with me, so I just winged it, saying whatever popped in my head".

His performances at the venue led to his first sitcom roles, with appearances on '' M*A*S*H'' and ''Diff'rent Strokes'', and feature-length films, including '' Making the Grade'' (1984), '' Pretty in Pink'' (1986), and '' Casual Sex?'' (1988). A review by ''Los Angeles Times'' critic Michael Wilmington described Clay's character as "a macho bozo from Jersey". From 1986 to 1988, he had a regular role as Max Goldman on '' Crime Story''. His act included a drum solo as a tribute to Buddy Rich. Clay then pursued stand-up comedy full-time as the Dice character.

Clay's breakthrough came in 1988 when he performed at an all-male Big Brother Association dinner event with "all of Hollywood's royalty ..dressed in tuxedos, and I show up in a black leather jacket with a flag on the back that said 'Rock and Roll'". The set was a hit; the next day, 20th Century Fox offered him a film deal and entered talks with producer Joel Silver. Also in 1988, Clay performed a seven-minute set at Dangerfield's in New York City for Rodney Dangerfield's HBO stand-up showcase special ''Nothing Goes Right'', launching him into the national spotlight.

In January 1989, Clay's HBO special, ''The Diceman Cometh'', appeared on HBO. It became a top video rental, according t
''Entertainment Weekly''
In March, he released his debut comedy album, ''Dice'', which was certified gold by the RIAA for selling over 500,000 copies in the U.S. It peaked at No. 89 on the ''Billboard'' 200. Clay was named Comedy Act of the Year by readers of ''Performance'' magazine.

In September 1989, Clay performed a three-minute set at the 1989 MTV Video Music Awards, which included Otto Petersen's adult versions of the Mother Goose nursery rhymes. The incident led to MTV imposing a lifetime ban on Clay from appearing on the network. The ban was lifted in 2011.

In December 1989, Clay performed two unadvertised, largely improvised sets at Dangerfield's, which were recorded for his second comedy album, '' The Day the Laughter Died'', produced by Rick Rubin. Released in March 1990 on Geffen Records, the album sold 250,000 copies in seven weeks, peaking at No. 39 on the ''Billboard'' 200.

1990s

In February 1990, Clay became the first comedian to sell out two consecutive nights at Madison Square Garden in New York City, totaling 38,000 people in attendance.

When Clay was booked to host the ''Saturday Night Live'' episode of May 12, 1990, cast member Nora Dunn refused to appear in the episode due to the sexist and homophobic content in Clay's stand-up act. Sinéad O'Connor also canceled her appearance as the episode's musical guest in protest. During Clay's opening monologue, security guards removed protesters from the studio. NBC used a five-second tape delay to cut offensive content from the live broadcast, but one remark escaped removal. The episode was the show's fourth-highest-rated episode of the season.

Clay first met his agent, Dennis Arfa, at Dangerfield's, which led to his first HBO special and ultimately his starring role in the 1990 film ''The Adventures of Ford Fairlane''; in 1991, he received the Golden Raspberry Award for Worst Actor for his performance in the film.

In 1991, Clay ran his own production company, Fleebin Dabble Productions. He is featured on the front cover of the April 1991 issue of '' Penthouse'', becoming the second man to front the magazine, after George Burns. Footage of Clay's shows at Madison Square Garden was used to produce his 1991 stand-up concert film '' Dice Rules''. His controversial act affected the number of venues willing to screen the film; it opened in 40 theatres nationwide. 20th Century Fox was originally to release it, but it dropped out over the controversial material, leaving it to be picked up by Seven Arts. This was followed by the release of ''One Night with Dice'', filmed in 1986. A sell-out show at Symphony Hall in Salt Lake City in August 1991 was met with angry protesters outside the venue over his perceived homophobia and hateful material, during which police were called.

In 1993, ABC dropped a proposed one-hour television drama that was to feature Clay after management deemed him too controversial. Clay had signed a one-year deal with ABC that kept him from working with other networks. In July 1993, Clay released ''No Apologies'', the first stand-up concert pay-per-view special. It was purchased by over 250,000 homes and was the highest-grossing non-sports pay-per-view event of the year. It was to feature Joey Buttafuoco, but the plan was dropped on his attorney's advice after the publicity it attracted. Clay followed it with a second pay TV special, ''The Valentine's Day Massacre'', which aired in around 100,000 homes. In 1994, Clay accepted more TV roles.

In 1995, he signed a development deal with CBS and producer Bruce Helford, resulting in his starring role on the sitcom '' Bless This House''. In mid-1995, Clay explained that the Diceman character had "sort of gone out of hand", which he felt happy about because it allowed him to pursue more television and film work. The situation led to a change in his stand-up act, focusing more on being a husband and a father, yet still with an "edge".

In 1996, Clay released an HBO special, ''Assume the Position'', returning to his Diceman character.

In 1998, Clay released the triple album '' Filth'' through his website. Later in 1998, he began appearing on the New York City-based radio show '' Opie and Anthony''. His opening act at the time, Jim Norton, became the show's co-host in late 2000.

2000s

In 2000, Clay released ''I'm Over Here Now'' and ''Banned for Life''. Later in 2000, he released ''Face Down, Ass Up''. He supported these with a nationwide tour that included a headline show at Madison Square Garden, ten years after his two sold-out performances.

In 2005, Clay signed a deal with Sirius Satellite Radio to broadcast his own show, ''Out of the Cage''.

In 2007, he attempted a comeback with the reality TV series '' Dice: Undisputed'' on VH1, which lasted seven episodes.

He appeared as a part of NBC's '' The Celebrity Apprentice 2'' and was the first celebrity to be fired after he openly entertained the idea of quitting in Donald Trump's presence and called him "Donny Trump". On ''The Howard Stern Show'', Clay said the show was edited to exclude situations where Trump treated Clay poorly, based on his comic treatment of women rather than his accomplishments. Throughout the season, each celebrity was raising money for a charity of their choice; Clay had selected StandUp For Kids.

2010s

In 2011, Clay was featured in the eighth and final season of '' Entourage'' as Johnny Drama's co-star in the fictional program ''Johnny's Bananas''. Clay also appeared as himself in the '' Entourage'' film. He appeared in an episode of '' Raising Hope'' as himself, which aired on November 29, 2011.

In May 2012, Clay appeared on ''The Joe Rogan Experience'' podcast and also did a set at The Bamboozle festival in Asbury Park. In December 2012, he had a stand-up comedy special on Showtime titled ''Indestructible''.

In May 2013, Clay began a podcast with Michael Wheels named ''Rollin' with Dice and Wheels...The Podcast''. It ran for 46 episodes, the last of which was released in December 2015.

Clay appeared with Cate Blanchett in Woody Allen's ''Blue Jasmine'', which opened on July 26, 2013. In an interview with '' Good Day L.A.'', Clay said that, as he had not been in a movie in 12 years, "It was a thrill to do something dramatic, something I've always wanted to do." His performance was critically praised.

In July 2013, Clay signed a book deal with Simon & Schuster for a memoir to be co-authored with David Ritz. In November 2014, Clay released his book ''The Filthy Truth''.

In 2015, Clay hosted ''The Blue Show'', showcasing some of his favorite blue comics, which was released on Showtime.

In 2016, Clay had a guest role as a record executive in the Martin Scorsese/Mick Jagger-produced television series ''Vinyl'' for HBO.

In 2017, Clay competed in and won, with his wife Valerie Silverstein, the Fox reality cooking series '' My Kitchen Rules''.

In September 2018, Clay launched his podcast ''I'm Ova Hea' Now'' on the GaS Digital Network. Later that year, he appeared as Lorenzo in the musical drama film '' A Star is Born'', alongside Lady Gaga and Bradley Cooper, playing Gaga's character's father. Clay beat out several high-profile actors for the part, including Robert De Niro and Ray Liotta, and his performance received positive reviews, as did the film.

Personal life

Clay has married three times. From 1984 to 1986, he was married to Kathy Swanson and from 1992 to 2002 to Kathleen "Trini" Monica. He had two sons with Monica, one of whom, Max, has followed his father into stand-up comedy and occasionally opens for him on tour. Clay's third marriage was to hairstylist Valerie Vasquez from 2010 to 2014. Clay was in an eight-year relationship with his ex-fiancée, comedian Eleanor Kerrigan.

In 2017, Clay had a stent placed in a partially blocked artery. In 2021, he was diagnosed with Bell's palsy, though the condition was declared temporary and he continues to perform live.

He has homes in New York City and Los Angeles.

In popular culture

On the third-season ''Murphy Brown'' episode " Brown and Blue", a reluctant Murphy is made to interview a rising yet crudely controversial comedian, Tony Rocket ( Michael Chiklis), whose character is loosely modeled on the Diceman and his material during the height of his popularity.

A December 1990 episode of '' Night Court'' focuses on a raunchy comedian, Monte "The Potty Man" Potter, who alienates everyone with his jokes.

Clay's voice was sampled in EMF's 1991 hit " Unbelievable". Clay can be heard saying "Oh!" repeatedly throughout the song. He also utters "It's Unbelievable" at the song's midway point and near its conclusion.

Clay also played himself in season 8 of HBO's ''Entourage'', with his trademark brash voice starring in an animation series ''Johnny's Bananas'' alongside "Johnny Drama".

Discography

*''ADC: The Mixtape That Hates You'' (1988)
*''Dice'' (1989)
*'' The Day the Laughter Died'' (1990)
*'' Dice Rules'' (1991)
*'' 40 Too Long'' (1992)
*'' The Day the Laughter Died, Part II'' (1993)
*''No Apologies'' (1993)
*'' Filth'' (1998)
*'' Face Down, Ass Up'' (2000)
*''Indestructible'' (2012)
*''Comedy King'' (2023)
*''Nursery Rhymes'' (2023)

Filmography

Comedy specials

Film

Television

Awards and nominations

References

External links

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{{DEFAULTSORT:Clay, Andrew Dice
1957 births
20th-century American comedians
20th-century American Jews
20th-century American male actors
21st-century American comedians
21st-century American Jews
21st-century American male actors
American male comedians
American male film actors
American male television actors
American memoirists
American stand-up comedians
Comedians from Brooklyn
James Madison High School (Brooklyn) alumni
Jewish American comedians
Jewish American male actors
Jewish male comedians
Las Vegas shows
Living people
Male actors from Brooklyn
Participants in American reality television series
People from Sheepshead Bay, Brooklyn