User:JOCAENTERTAINMENT/Davetrick "D'Lai" Laird

Born
September 17, 1977 (age 33)

Years Active
2001-present

Davetrick "D'Lai" Laird
(born September 17, 1977) is an American actor/comedian, perhaps best know as a finalist on Bill Bellamy's Who's Got Jokes and winner of the Las Vegas Star Search

Career
The best lesson in the rigors of Stand-Up comedy was delivered at his first booked and sold out show at The Funny Bone Club in Baton Rouge, LA. Filled with family and friends the show went nothing like he planned in the mirror and as they say in the comedy world "he ate it". While his guests avoided him after the show, a promotor in the audience saw something in him and asked to book him in another show... D'Lai was incredulous; "did you see me?" The persistent promoter showed up the next day at his work and proved to be right in that the next show was significantly better. To this day, D'Lai advices novice comics, "there is no substitute for stage time."

After working the comedy circuit in Louisiana, he packed up to go to Las Vegas so he could perfect his craft while also expecting to find a job as a dealer on the strip. He initially started working at a low end casino in Vegas; but in three years landed a dealing job with the high rollers at mega resort, Wynn Las Vegas. In 2004 he won the Las Vegas Star Search Competition which opened the door to become and opening act in some of the major casinos.

About this time television producers were starting to take notice of this young energetic comic and D'Lai was picked to do a show in Los Angeles called, "Live in Hollywood" with KeKe Shepherd and also the last season of B.E.T's "Comic View" (New Orleans). After relocating to LA, D'Lai went to appear in Bill Bellamy's "Who's got Jokes" Season 4 where he was a finalist. The show recieved tremendous reviews and gave the network (TV1) their highest ratings ever.

On the Stand Up circuit D'Lai has also made his mark opening for such notable comics as Bill Bellamy, George Wallace, Bruce Bruce and legendary Dick Gregory. D'Lai has become a true comedy tour de force. In addition to touring clubs and colleges nationwide, D'Lai current projects include the "Ladies Night Out Tour" with Bill Bellamy and "Stand Up for Family", an innovative series of "webisodes" that is hosted by Bill and includes such other popular comics as Earthquake, Will Sylvince, Pat Brown, Nikki Carr and Doug Williams.

As a man who has learned to turn painful experiences into positive energy and humor, D'Lai believes in the power of giving back. Most significantly, as an ex-military man, D'Lai strongly believes in the supporting of our troops and has performed abroad for the troops in Japan, Germany, Kuwait and Iraq. Additionally, D'Lai continues to volunteer work in the Louisiana communities and joins with his fraternity KAPPA ALPHA PSI, INC in assisting others.

=== History ===

D'Lai, one of the hottest new comics in the business demonstrates in his routines that the best comedy ofted arises from the most challenging circumstances. After the loss of his mother when he was just nine months old, D'Lai was raised by his grandmother Emma Laird in and extended family of uncles, cousins and even friends of the neighborhood in Alexandria, LA. The theme of loss continued when at just 12 years old D'Lai had to face the untimely death of his beloved grandmother.

At a young age with so many deaths, no father figure and a drug infested neighborhood, D'Lai turned to the only positive alternative for youth in his community: sports. D'Lai immersed himself in basketball during his high school years and brought his talents to the college level at LSU-Shreveport where he earned All-State honors. He also is part of one of the largest fraternities in the US, Kappa Alpha Psi, Inc. which in addition to the camaraderie of his basketball teammates gave D'Lai strength and stability as he matured.

After admitting to friends and family that the NBA was a stretch "due to an inability to grow", D'Lai enlisted in the army where he earned his commission as a 2nd Lieutenant. Having a quick wit and innate ability to impersonate drill sergeants, D'Lai would successfully host most of the military talent shows. Though he soon developed a love for the stage, he was not sure if he had what it took to be a professional.

D'Lai moved back to Baton Rouge, LA where he learned the trade of being a Black Jack Dealer in the casino. He enjoyed dealing because the black jack table was a platform to entertain, regardless if the customers were winning or loosing. D'Lai soon became known as the 'Robin Hood' of Black Jack Dealers. "I truly enjoyed giving the house's money away" he admits. He found out that his daily chants of "I'm the people's dealer, I give to the poor" while giving away the casino's money did not sit well with the pit boss, casino managers and executives. Needless to say he was let go... But in a fortuitous turn of events, he was approached by an acquaintance who suggested he try Stand Up comedy.

Film/Television
Stand Up for Family (2010) webisode

Bill Bellamy's Who's got Jokes Season 4 (2010) Season 3 (2009)

Comic View One Mic Stand (2008) Comic View New Orleans (2005) A Soldiers Faith (2006) Independent film

External Links'
Davetrick "D'Lai" Laird at the Internet Movie Database