Craig Robinson is an American actor, comedian, musician, and writer. Robinson is best known for his role as Darryl Philbin on the television series “The Office” and for his appearances in numerous films, including “Pineapple Express,” “Hot Tub Time Machine,” and “This Is the End.” In this blog post, we take a quick rundown of the life of the talented actor, comedian, and musician.
Craig Robinson Early Life
Born on October 25, 1971, in Chicago, Illinois, Robinson grew up on the city’s South Side. His parents, a music teacher mother and an attorney father instilled a love for education and the arts in their son from a young age.
Before he made it big in Hollywood, Robinson was a music teacher at several elementary schools in the Chicago area, including Horace Mann Elementary School and Benjamin Franklin Elementary School. He also taught at East Chicago Central High School in Indiana.
Educational background
Robinson attended Whitney M. Young Magnet High School, where he developed his interest in music and theater. After high school, he enrolled at Illinois State University, where he earned his undergraduate degree in 1994. Robinson pursued a career in education and earned a Master of Education from Saint Xavier University.
Robinson’s passion for the arts eventually led him to pursue a career in comedy. He started performing stand-up comedy in his free time, and his talent was soon recognized. He began to perform regularly at various comedy clubs and was soon discovered by television producers.
Career
Robinson’s big break came when he was cast in the role of Darryl Philbin on the hit television series “The Office.” His portrayal of the laid-back and humorous warehouse supervisor was well-received by audiences and critics alike, launching him into the national spotlight.
Acting and comedy
Craig Robinson started doing stand-up comedy and taking classes in improv as well as acting at The Second City in Chicago. He then went on to perform open-mic sessions in New York, Chicago, Los Angeles, and other cities, winning regional comedy competitions.
Robinson’s big break came in 2005 when he was cast as Darryl Philbin on the American version of “The Office.” He appeared first in “The Alliance,” the fourth episode of the first season, and would later bag a starring role in the fourth season. In addition to “The Office,” Robinson has appeared on numerous television shows, including “Brooklyn Nine-Nine,” “Lucky,” “Halfway Home,” and “Reno 911.
He hosted season seven of “Last Comic Standing” in 2010, with judges Greg Giraldo, Natasha Leggero, and Andy Kindler. Robinson’s success on television led to a thriving film career. He is a frequent collaborator with Seth Rogen and has starred alongside Rogen in several films, including “Knocked Up,” “Pineapple Express,” and “This Is the End.” He has also provided his voice for several animated films, including “Shrek Forever After,” “Escape from Planet Earth,” and “Dolittle.”
Appearance in commercials
Craig Robinson, known for his comedic roles, has also made a name for himself as a commercial spokesperson. In 2014, he portrayed a farmer in commercials for the mobile game Hay Day. Robinson departed from his usual comedy roles in 2014 when he portrayed saxophonist Maceo Parker in the James Brown biopic, Get On Up. He also appeared in several commercials for Wal-Mart in 2015, singing and playing the piano to promote their credit card.
In 2019, he became the spokesman for the Philadelphia-area meat producer Dietz & Watson and appeared in several commercials for their deli meat products. Robinson later became the host of The Masked Dancer and was featured as a spokesperson for Pizza Hut in 2021. He also starred in commercials for Gain detergent that same year, singing a parody of “Maniac” by Michael Sembello. Robinson’s versatility in different ad campaigns reflects his ability to captivate audiences with his humor and charisma.
Music
Craig Robinson has an extensive background in music and comedy. He has performed as a musical duo with comedian Jerry Minor, appearing on several shows such as HBO’s Sketch Pad, Comedy Central, Real Time with Bill Maher, and Jimmy Kimmel Live! They were also featured on The Office and the seventh season finale of Last Comic Standing.
Robinson occasionally performs with his band, The Nasty Delicious, which includes his brother Chris Rob on keyboards, Ethan Farmer on bass, Asa Watkins on drums, David Sampson on guitar, Lakecia Benjamin and Reggie Hines on saxophones, Winston Byrd on trumpet, and Bendji Allonce on percussion. The band was featured in Seth Rogen’s Hilarity for Charity stand-up comedy special.
Awards and Nominations
Craig Robinson played Darryl Philbin on “The Office” from 2005 to 2013. For this role, he was nominated for the NAACP Image Award for Outstanding Supporting Actor in a Comedy Series from 2011 to 2013 and the Screen Actors Guild Award for Outstanding Performance by an Ensemble in a Comedy Series from 2009 to 2013. In 2013, he starred in “Peeples” as Wade Walker and was nominated for a Teen Choice Award for Choice Movie Actor – Comedy.
He also appeared as himself in the film “This Is the End” and won an MTV Movie Award for Best Musical Moment. In 2016, he played Curtis Gentry in the film “Morris from America” and received the Sundance Film Festival Dramatic Special Jury Award for Individual Performance. He was also nominated for the Gotham Award for Best Actor and the Independent Spirit Award for Best Supporting Male for his performance in this film.
Personal Life
Craig Robinson has had a few run-ins with the law due to his past issues with drugs and alcohol. In 2006, he was placed on probation for a drunk-driving incident. Two years later, in 2008, he was arrested for possession of methamphetamine and MDMA, as well as for driving under the influence of cocaine. He pleaded guilty, but the charges were dropped upon completing a drug education program.
In 2013, while trying to board a plane in the Bahamas, Robinson was arrested for possession of marijuana and ecstasy. He was ordered to pay a $1,000 fine and returned to the U.S. In 2017, Robinson decided to give up alcohol to detox temporarily and lost 50 pounds. He also switched to a vegan diet and started exercising more. He shared with “People” magazine that he challenged himself to go six months without drinking, and he has not gone back to it since.
Social media
Craig Robinson is active on social media, sharing updates about his personal and professional life. Fans of the actor can follow him on his official Twitter and Instagram handles to stay up-to-date with his latest news and projects.
On Twitter, Robinson can be found at the handle @MrCraigRobinson, where he has amassed over 536,000 followers. His Twitter account features a mix of personal tweets, retweets of fans, and promotions for his upcoming appearances, shows, and projects.
On Instagram, Craig Robinson’s handle is @mrcraigrobinson, where he has over 300,000 followers. His Instagram account is filled with behind-the-scenes photos, promotional images, and personal snaps that give fans a glimpse into his life. From posting pictures with his friends and family to sharing updates about his latest projects, Robinson’s Instagram account is a great place to keep up with the actor.
Craig Robinson’s Net Worth
Craig Robinson is a multi-talented American performer, comedian, singer, producer, and musician with a net worth of $6 million. He has appeared in numerous films and television shows and has been recognized for his acting and musical talents. Robinson has also made a name for himself as a stand-up comedian and has released several comedy albums.
Conclusion
Craig Robinson is a multifaceted talent who has made a name for himself in the entertainment industry. With his diverse skill set and undeniable talent, it’s no surprise that he has become a household name.
From humble beginnings, Robinson has worked tirelessly to become one of the most recognizable faces in Hollywood, best known for his role as Darryl Philbin on the hit TV show “The Office.” Despite some personal struggles, Robinson has continued to succeed in his career, whether on screen, on stage, or in the recording studio. With a net worth of $6 million and a devoted fanbase, it’s clear that Craig Robinson’s star is only rising.
