The recent release of the film, “Apostles of Comedy”, gives testimony to Anthony Griffith’s versatile career. Being painfully shy as a child didn’t stop Anthony from performing as Michael Jackson, James Brown, Elvis and a slew of celebrities at various neighborhood activities. Born Anthony Griffin in Chicago Illinois, Anthony’s desire was to become a world renown escape Artist.

I was tall, lanky and wore an afro that weighed more than my whole body. A While other boys were playing baseball and other sports in high school, I was getting out of handcuffs, chains and straightjackets. I still played basketball, (escape artistry wasn’t in vogue yet with the women), but by this time I had become a fan of the legendary escape artist Harry Houdini. I was building a fan base in the community, until unexpectedly someone stole my straight jacket. My attempt to get another one through my parents was met with resistance. “You need another straight jacket? Boy, you act like straight jackets grow on trees.

One of the drawbacks growing up in the inner city”, Anthony jokes. While in college he took up stand up comedy where he preformed at comedy clubs, colleges, restaurants, hotels, strip clubs, etc. “I performed anywhere and everywhere, in the hopes of learning and mastering the craft.” Anthony’s hard work was rewarded in the nineties by appearing on Ed McMahon’s, “Star Search”, “The Tonight Show with Johnny Carson”, "HBO" and "Showtime", just to name a few. While Anthony was turning heads as a stand-up, he was quietly landing acting roles in films as the cult classic, “Tales from the Hood”, Mario Van Pebbles, “Panther”, “The Curve” and the television drama “Our Father”, where he was awarded an Emmy.

This decade continues to keep Anthony busy with performances on "The Tonight Show" with Jay Leno, Comedy Central's "Premium Blend" and "Curb Your Enthusiasm". Watch for Anthony in 2009 as he joins comedians Jeff Allen, Brad Stine and Ron Pearson as part of the “Apostles of Comedy” tour and in comedy shorts that Anthony’s written and produced.