Diallo Riddle
{{Short description|American writer, producer, actor}}
{{Infobox person
| name = Diallo Riddle
| image =Diallo Riddle 2020.jpg
| birth_date = {{birth date and age|1977|5|6}}
| birth_place = Atlanta, Georgia, U.S.
| partner = Brittany Riddle
| alma_mater = Harvard University
| occupation = Television writer, actor, producer, showrunner, and DJ
| television = Marlon
Late Night With Jimmy Fallon
Silicon Valley
}}
Diallo Riddle (born May 6, 1977) is an American writer, producer, actor, showrunner, and DJ.{{cite news |title=EXCLUSIVE: Diallo Riddle Talks 'Marlon' & Why He's Obsessed With Sitcoms - EBONY |url=https://www.ebony.com/entertainment-culture/exclusive-diallo-riddle-talks-marlon-hes-obsessed-sitcoms |accessdate=21 June 2018 |work=EBONY |date=14 August 2017}} Riddle is best known for his co-starring role as Stevie in the NBC sitcom Marlon, and has been the co-creator of several different television series. He won an NAACP Image Award for his directing on South Side.{{Cite web |last1=Brathwaite |first1=Lester Fabian |last2=Towers |first2=rea |last3=February 27 |first3=Jessica Wang Updated |last4=EST |first4=2022 at 11:34 AM |title=Angela Bassett, Will Smith, and Meghan Markle among 2022 NAACP Image Award winners: See full list |url=https://ew.com/awards/2022-naacp-image-awards-full-list-winners/ |access-date=2022-09-23 |website=EW.com |language=en |archive-date=2022-03-09 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220309094212/https://ew.com/awards/2022-naacp-image-awards-full-list-winners/ |url-status=live }}
Early life
Riddle, who is of African American heritage, was born in Atlanta, Georgia, as the sixth child of American painter and sculptor John Riddle Jr and Carmen Riddle.{{cite journal |title=Interview With Diallo Riddle - Creative Mind |journal=The Hedonist Magazine |date=12 June 2018 |url=https://www.thehedonistmagazine.com/2018/06/12/interview-with-diallo-riddle-creative-mind/ |accessdate=21 June 2018 |archive-date=21 June 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180621093458/https://www.thehedonistmagazine.com/2018/06/12/interview-with-diallo-riddle-creative-mind/|url-status=dead}}{{cite news |last1=WOO |first1=ELAINE |title=John Riddle Jr., 68; Artist and Curator |url=https://www.latimes.com/archives/la-xpm-2002-mar-09-me-riddle9-story.html |access-date=21 June 2018 |work=Los Angeles Times |date=9 March 2002}} He attended Benjamin Elijah Mays High School, and later graduated from Harvard University, majoring in History.
Career
After attending Harvard University, Riddle and his writing partner Bashir Salahuddin, started a sketch comedy group called Cleo's Apartment. The group's members included Robin Thede, Thomas Fraser, Wyatt Cenac, Nika King and Nefetari Spencer. The group's stage show was adapted into a web series The Message by AOL and HBO, which aired in 2007.
Riddle, alongside his creative partner Bashir Salahuddin, have launched multiple projects over the years through their production company, J30 Studios.{{Cite web |last=Schneider |first=Michael |date=2021-11-02 |title=Pete Aronson Joins 'Sherman's Showcase' Creators Bashir Salahuddin and Diallo Riddle's J30 Studios |url=https://variety.com/2021/tv/news/shermans-showcase-south-side-bashir-salahuddin-diallo-riddle-pete-aronson-j30-1235102910/ |access-date=2022-09-05 |website=Variety |language=en-US}} Both have multi-year deal with Warner Bros TV to create and produce TV projects.{{Cite web |last=White |first=Peter |date=2020-09-10 |title=Warner Bros TV Strikes Overall Deal With Bashir Salahuddin & Diallo Riddle |url=https://deadline.com/2020/09/warner-bros-tv-overall-deal-bashir-salahuddin-diallo-riddle-1234575013/ |access-date=2022-09-05 |website=Deadline |language=en-US |archive-date=2022-11-12 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221112194911/https://deadline.com/2020/09/warner-bros-tv-overall-deal-bashir-salahuddin-diallo-riddle-1234575013/ |url-status=live }} In August 2022 it was announced the duo will serve as showrunners, executive producers, and writers on “Book of Marlon,” Marlon Wayans’ new comedy inspired by his life and career.{{Cite web |last=Iannucci |first=Rebecca |date=2022-08-09 |title=Marlon Wayans to Lead Starz Comedy Book of Marlon, Based on His Life |url=https://tvline.com/2022/08/09/marlon-wayans-comedy-series-starz-book-of-marlon-autobiography/ |access-date=2022-09-05 |website=TVLine |language=en-US}}
In 2008, he joined the writing staff of Comedy Central's Chocolate News.{{Cite web|title=Chocolate News (2008) in cines.com|url=https://cines.com/en/film/chocolate-news-2008|access-date=2022-01-25|website=cines.com|language=en}} In 2009, he joined the writing staff of the popular television show Late Night with Jimmy Fallon, where he was also a performer.{{cite web|title=Bashir Salahuddin Opens Up About His South Side-Centric TV Comedy|url=https://www.dnainfo.com/chicago/20170724/morgan-park/bashir-salahuddin-south-side-comedy-beverly-woods-auburn-gresham-comedy-central-south-shore-late-night-with-jimmy-fallon-glow-netflix-keith-bang-sultan|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171014083359/https://www.dnainfo.com/chicago/20170724/morgan-park/bashir-salahuddin-south-side-comedy-beverly-woods-auburn-gresham-comedy-central-south-shore-late-night-with-jimmy-fallon-glow-netflix-keith-bang-sultan|archive-date=2017-10-14|access-date=2017-10-13|website=DNAinfo Chicago}} Among his sketches on the show, Riddle co-wrote Slow Jam The News with Barack Obama and three editions of A History of Rap with Jimmy Fallon and Justin Timberlake.{{cite web|last=Andreeva|first=Nellie|date=10 June 2013|title=HBO Greenlights Comedy Pilot From Lorne Michaels, Diallo Riddle & Bashir Salahuddin|url=https://deadline.com/2013/06/hbo-greenlights-comedy-pilot-from-lorne-michaels-diallo-riddle-bashir-salahuddin-517329/|publisher=}}{{Cite web |last=Fallon |first=The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy |title=Bashir Salahuddin and Diallo Riddle on the Origin of History of Rap and Slow Jam the News |url=https://www.fltimes.com/bashir-salahuddin-and-diallo-riddle-on-the-origin-of-history-of-rap-and-slow-jam/youtube_22a40376-08ed-5655-936a-0b7d34e26a66.html |access-date=2022-09-05 |website=Finger Lakes Times |date=25 June 2019 |language=en}}{{Cite web |last=Magazine |first=Chilled |date=2018-08-14 |title=Chillin' with Diallo Riddle |url=https://chilledmagazine.com/chillin-with-diallo-riddle/ |access-date=2022-09-05 |website=Chilled Magazine |language=en-US}}
In 2013, Riddle filmed an HBO pilot for a show called The Reporters. Riddle then received a recurring role for the HBO show Silicon Valley. In 2015, HBO ordered a series written by and starring Riddle named Brothers in Atlanta. However, the order was canceled in early 2016.
In 2017, Riddle became a regular on the NBC's sitcom Marlon, where he played the role of Stevie, the best friend of Marlon Wayans.{{cite web|url=http://www.ibtimes.com/marlon-season-1-spoilers-synopses-episodes-9-10-released-2588387|title='Marlon' Season 1 Spoilers: Synopses For Episodes 9 And 10 Released|website=International Business Times|date=11 September 2017|publisher=|access-date=13 October 2017|archive-date=14 October 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171014034159/http://www.ibtimes.com/marlon-season-1-spoilers-synopses-episodes-9-10-released-2588387|url-status=live}}{{cite web|url=https://deadline.com/2016/03/marlon-nbc-comedy-pilot-casts-diallo-riddle-marlon-wayans-1201717516/|title='Marlon' NBC Comedy Pilot Casts Diallo Riddle|first=Nellie|last=Andreeva|date=10 March 2016|publisher=|access-date=19 February 2020|archive-date=22 February 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200222225528/https://deadline.com/2016/03/marlon-nbc-comedy-pilot-casts-diallo-riddle-marlon-wayans-1201717516/|url-status=live}}
The same year, Comedy Central picked up his new comedy show entitled South Side.{{cite web|url=https://deadline.com/2017/10/comedy-central-new-series-the-other-two-south-side-chris-kelly-and-sarah-schneider-lorne-michaels-diallo-riddle-bashir-salahuddin-1202189836/|title=Comedy Central Orders 2 New Series From 'Saturday Night Live', 'Late Night' Alums|first=Nellie|last=Andreeva|date=17 October 2017|publisher=|accessdate=15 May 2018|archive-date=11 November 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201111150929/https://deadline.com/2017/10/comedy-central-new-series-the-other-two-south-side-chris-kelly-and-sarah-schneider-lorne-michaels-diallo-riddle-bashir-salahuddin-1202189836/|url-status=live}}{{cite web|url=https://www.chicagotribune.com/entertainment/chicagoinc/ct-comedy-central-south-side-salahuddin-diallo-riddle-20170418-story.html|title=Comedy Central orders South Side workplace comedy pilot|first=Tracy|last=Swartz|website=Chicago Tribune |date=18 April 2017 |publisher=}}{{cite web|url=http://wgnradio.com/2017/07/18/comedy-writer-diallo-riddle-is-creating-a-love-letter-to-chicagos-south-side/|title=Comedy writer Diallo Riddle is creating a love letter to Chicago's South Side|date=19 July 2017|publisher=}} In 2017, Riddle was also cast in a recurring role on the drama series Rise.{{cite web|url=https://deadline.com/2017/10/rise-diallo-riddle-recur-nbc-drama-series-josh-radnor-1202185261/|title='Rise': Diallo Riddle Set To Recur On NBC Drama Series|first=Denise|last=Petski|date=10 October 2017|publisher=}} Riddle has gone to write for an array of TV series, including The Last O.G., starring Tracy Morgan.{{Cite web|last=Obenson|first=Tambay|date=2019-07-24|title='South Side': For Diallo Riddle, It's His HBO Series That Never Was|url=https://www.indiewire.com/2019/07/south-side-diallo-riddle-brothers-in-atlanta-1202160037/|access-date=2022-01-25|website=IndieWire|language=en}} Of the projects Riddle has worked on, he has also helped curate the music for the movie Baby Driver, and served as a writer for the television specials Taraji and Terrence’s White Hot Holidays, Maya and Marty, and The Maya Rudolph Show.{{cite web|url=http://www.11alive.com/entertainment/comedian-diallo-riddle-talks-atlanta-his-work-on-baby-driver-and-the-new-nbc-show-marlon/464870103|title=Comedian Diallo Riddle talks Atlanta, his work on|last=TEGNA|publisher=}}{{Dead link|date=April 2025 |bot=InternetArchiveBot |fix-attempted=yes }}
On May 3, 2018, it was announced that IFC picked up to series Sherman's Showcase, a scripted musical variety sketch comedy show which Riddle wrote with his writing partner Bashir Salahuddin.{{cite news |last1=Littleton |first1=Cynthia |title=IFC Orders Sketch Comedy Series 'Sherman's Showcase' |url=https://variety.com/2018/tv/news/shermans-showcase-sketch-comedy-john-legend-diallo-riddle-bashir-salahuddin-1202797112/ |accessdate=21 June 2018 |work=Variety |date=3 May 2018}} The series is produced by John Legend's Get Lifted Film Co. and premiered on July 31, 2019, on IFC.{{cite news |last1=Petski |first1=Denise |title=John Legend-Produced Variety Show From 'Late Night' Duo Gets IFC Series Order |url=https://deadline.com/2018/05/john-legend-produced-musical-variety-sketch-show-late-night-with-jimmy-fallon-duo-series-order-ifc-1202382093/ |accessdate=21 June 2018 |work=Deadline |date=3 May 2018}}
On September 4, 2019, Comedy Central and WBEZ Chicago launched [https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/south-side-stories/id1478188539 South Side Stories], a groundbreaking podcast collaboration between a public media organization and a cable television partner that celebrates the real-life people and places that inspired the hit scripted comedy series. The 10 episode podcast series was hosted by both Riddle and Salahuddin.{{cite web |url=https://press.cc.com/press-release/2019/09/04/press-wbez-chicago-and-comedy-central-collaborate-on-new-podcast-south-side-stories|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190925182610/https://press.cc.com/press-release/2019/09/04/press-wbez-chicago-and-comedy-central-collaborate-on-new-podcast-south-side-stories|url-status=dead|archive-date=September 25, 2019|title=WBEZ Chicago and Comedy Central collaborate on groundbreaking new podcast, South Side Stories, premiering September 4|publisher=Press Release|date=September 4, 2019|accessdate=April 26, 2020}}
In 2020, South Side was renewed for another season by Comedy Central, to begin streaming on HBO Max in 2021.{{cite news |last1=Schwartz |first1=Ryan |title=The Other Two and South Side Exit Comedy Central for HBO Max |url=https://tvline.com/2020/08/13/the-other-two-season-2-hbo-max-leaving-comedy-central/ |access-date=12 February 2021 |work=TVLine |date=13 August 2020 |archive-date=13 August 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200813172138/https://tvline.com/2020/08/13/the-other-two-season-2-hbo-max-leaving-comedy-central/ |url-status=live }} The release date for the second season of South Side was 11 November 2021.{{Cite web|last=Mitovich|first=Matt Webb|date=2021-11-03|title=South Side Season 2: Watch Trailer for MIA Comedy's Return via HBO Max|url=https://tvline.com/2021/11/03/south-side-season-2-premiere-date-hbo-max-trailer/|access-date=2022-01-25|website=TVLine|language=en-US}} The third season of South Side was also launched and debuted on August 12, 2022.{{Cite web |date=2022-12-07 |title=South Side is back on HBO Max with a hilarious season 3 |url=https://www.avclub.com/south-side-season-3-tv-review-hbo-max-1849856707 |access-date=2022-12-20 |website=The A.V. Club |language=en}} In June 2020, a second season of the Emmy winning show, Sherman's Showcase was confirmed, set to air on AMC in 2021.{{cite web|last1=White|first1=Peter|date=17 June 2020|title='Sherman's Showcase' Renewed For Season 2 At IFC, Will Simulcast On AMC In 2021|url=https://deadline.com/2020/06/shermans-showcase-renewed-season-2-at-ifc-simulcast-amc-in-2021-1202961961/|access-date=12 February 2021|website=Deadline}}{{Cite web|title=Sherman's Showcase Black History Month Spectacular|url=https://www.emmys.com/shows/shermans-showcase-black-history-month-spectacular|access-date=2022-01-25|website=Television Academy|language=en}}{{Cite web |last=Lazarski |first=Todd |date=2022-10-20 |title=Sherman's Showcase is like Soul Train meets I Think You Should Leave |url=https://www.avclub.com/sherman-s-showcase-season-2-review-tv-ifc-amc-plus-1849677603 |access-date=2022-12-20 |website=The A.V. Club |language=en}} The second season of Sherman's Showcase debuted on October 26, 2022.{{Cite web |last=Greene |first=Steve |date=2020-06-19 |title='Sherman's Showcase' Review: 'Black History Month Spectacular' Is Why This Show Deserved a Season 2 |url=https://www.indiewire.com/2020/06/shermans-showcase-black-history-month-spectacular-review-1234568413/ |access-date=2022-12-20 |website=IndieWire |language=en}}{{Cite web |title=Sherman's Showcase |url=https://www.yahoo.com/entertainment/shermans-showcase-210226492.html |access-date=2022-12-20 |website=www.yahoo.com |language=en-US}}{{Cite web |title='Sherman's Showcase' Creators Talks New Season And Special Guests |url=https://www.bet.com/article/576prh/shermans-showcase-season-2-premiere |access-date=2022-12-20 |website=BET |language=en}}
More recently, the duo of Riddle and Salahuddin signed a deal with Warner Bros. Television Studios.{{Cite web|last=White|first=Peter|date=2020-09-10|title=Warner Bros TV Strikes Overall Deal With Bashir Salahuddin & Diallo Riddle|url=https://deadline.com/2020/09/warner-bros-tv-overall-deal-bashir-salahuddin-diallo-riddle-1234575013/|access-date=2020-09-12|website=Deadline|language=en-US}}
Awards and nominations
In 2011, Riddle was nominated for the Primetime Emmy Award for Outstanding Writing for a Variety, Music or Comedy Series through his work on Late Night.{{cite web|url=http://www.emmys.com/awards/nominees-winners/2011/outstanding-writing-for-a-variety-series|title=Nominees/Winners|publisher=}} He was also nominated for a Writers Guild Award. In 2016 he received an additional nomination from the Writers Guild in the category of Comedy/Variety - Sketch Series for his work on Maya & Marty.{{cite web|url=https://www.imdb.com/name/nm3147245/awards|title=Diallo Riddle|website=IMDb}}
In 2019, "Time Loop" from Sherman's Showcase, won the Hollywood Music in Media Award for Best Original Song in a TV Show/Limited Series and in 2021, Riddle was nominated by the NAACP Image Awards for Outstanding Writing in a Television Movie or Special for Sherman’s Showcase Black History Month Spectacular.{{cite news |last1=Davis |first1=Clayton |title=Viola Davis, Tyler Perry and Regina King Up for Entertainer of the Year at 2021 NAACP Image Awards |url=https://variety.com/2021/awards/awards/2021-naacp-image-awards-nominations-1234898205/ |access-date=12 February 2021 |work=Variety |date=2 February 2021 |archive-date=20 November 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211120130349/https://variety.com/2021/awards/awards/2021-naacp-image-awards-nominations-1234898205/ |url-status=live }}
In 2022, Riddle was nominated for the NAACP Image Award for Outstanding Directing in a Comedy Series for the “Tornado” episode of South Side.{{Cite web |last=Mitovich |first=Matt Webb |date=2022-01-18 |title=NAACP Image Award Nominations: Insecure, black-ish, Queen Sugar and Genius: Aretha Lead the TV Pack |url=https://tvline.com/2022/01/18/naacp-image-awards-insecure-blackish-queen-sugar-tv-nominations-2022/ |access-date=2022-01-25 |website=TVLine |language=en-US |archive-date=2022-01-25 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220125091552/https://tvline.com/2022/01/18/naacp-image-awards-insecure-blackish-queen-sugar-tv-nominations-2022/ |url-status=live }}
Filmography
| class="wikitable sortable"
|+ ! rowspan="2" |Year ! rowspan="2" |Title ! colspan="3" |Credited as ! rowspan="2" |Role |
| Producer
!Writer !Actor |
|---|
| 2009-2011
|{{No}} |{{Yes}} |{{Yes}} |Mr. Farouk |
| 2014
|{{No}} |{{Yes}} |{{No}} | |
| 2015
|Taraji and Terrence's White Hot Holidays |{{No}} |{{Yes}} |{{No}} | |
| rowspan="2" |2016
|Maya & Marty |{{No}} |{{Yes}} |{{No}} | |
| Brothers in Atlanta
|{{Yes}} |{{Yes}} |{{Yes}} |Langston |
| 2017
|{{No}} |{{Yes}} |{{No}} | |
| 2017-2018
|{{No}} |{{No}} |{{Yes}} |Stevie |
| rowspan="2" |2018
|{{Yes}} |{{Yes}} |{{No}} | |
| Rise
|{{No}} |{{No}} |{{Yes}} |Andy Kranepool |
| 2015-2019
|{{No}} |{{No}} |{{Yes}} |Paul |
| 2019
|{{No}} |{{No}} |{{Yes}} |Reggie |
| 2019–present
|{{Yes}} |{{Yes}} |{{Yes}} |Allen Gayle |
| 2019–present
|{{Yes}} |{{Yes}} |{{Yes}} |Dutch Shepherd |
| 2020
|{{No}} |{{No}} |{{Yes}} |Fireman |
| 2020
|{{No}} |{{No}} |{{Yes}} |Juan Pablo |
| 2021
|{{No}} |{{No}} |{{Yes}} |Moderator |
| 2023
|{{No}} |{{No}} |{{Yes}} |Terry the Train, voice role |
References
{{reflist}}
External links
- {{IMDb name}}
{{Hollywood Music in Media Award for Best Original Song in a TV Show/Limited Series}}
{{authority control}}
{{DEFAULTSORT:Riddle, Diallo}}
Category:21st-century African-American male actors
Category:21st-century African-American writers
Category:21st-century American male actors
Category:21st-century American male writers
Category:21st-century American screenwriters
Category:African-American male writers
Category:African-American television producers
Category:African-American television writers
Category:American male television actors
Category:American male television writers
Category:American television writers
Category:Harvard University alumni
Category:Mass media people from Atlanta
Category:Screenwriters from Georgia (U.S. state)