In an exclusive interview with KRLD, renowned comedian and actor Chris Tucker shared insights into his dynamic stand-up career and ongoing philanthropic endeavors.
Tucker plays tonight (Wednesday, November 1) at the Pavilion at Toyota Music Factory in Irving.
Tucker, best known for his roles in films like "Friday," "Rush Hour" and "Silver Linings Playbook," spoke about the joy he finds in live stand-up shows, citing the unpredictable nature of the audience.
"(There's) nothing like, in the moment, live shows. I definitely have a set show, but stuff happens in the moment when you're on stage...that's where I came from. I came from the comedy club," Tucker told KRLD's John Liddle.
Reflecting on his comedic journey, Tucker emphasized that his stand-up has inevitably changed as he has grown older and experienced different stages of life. He invited fans to attend his shows, stating, "You have to come to the show to see what I have to say, what I wanna say to the world...you get to learn a lot about me at this show and what I'm thinking about and what I have to say."
"That's the fun part about it, the world changes. We change, and the audience changes. The audience gets older...it's just great to grow with my fans and have fun with them and talk about getting older and getting better," Tucker said.
The conversation shifted to Tucker's notable performance in the movie "Air" and his portrayal of Nike executive Howard White. Tucker revealed that the opportunity came about through his connection with actor Ben Affleck.
"Ben Affleck always told me he wanted to work with me, and I thought he was just joking around," Tucker shared. However, after a conversation with NBA legend Michael Jordan, Affleck insisted on incorporating Tucker's friend, Howard White, into the movie. Not only did Tucker star as White but also wrote his own parts, showcasing his creative autonomy in shaping the character.
"Every character I do, I always try to put something in there special, extra, and make it my own...I would say make it my own," Tucker explained, mentioning various films like "Friday" and "Jackie Brown" where he implemented this approach.
Beyond his entertainment career, Tucker expressed his deep passion for philanthropy. He founded the Chris Tucker Foundation, driven by his experiences participating in humanitarian work across the globe. "My mom told me to start this foundation...we do homeless ministry, scholarships, and anytime we get somebody in need, we've gotta do what we can do with the foundation," Tucker expressed.
"This is more fun to see somebody's face when you help them or they come back and have a testimony on how the foundation helped them get through a tough time...it's awesome," Tucker smiled.
Catch Chris Tucker's stand-up performance at the Pavilion at Toyota Music Factory in Irving on November 1. Or in the movie Air streaming on Prime Video and other services.
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