Weird dichotomy - all but two were incredibly easy, but the two I missed (Olmos and Boyle), I'd never even heard of. Checked Wikipedia - based on their "memorable roles" I've apparently never seen them on screen.
Clay was a comedian who became popular in the 1990s and famous for his brash persona; he made a few bad movies trying to cash in on his fame and now I think he's got his own reality TV show. Wayans was brother of Damon Wayans- a comedian who became famous around the same time for his work on the sketch TV comedy show In Living Color and went on to make several movies. Grier is a lesser-known comedian who also worked on In Living Color and with Wayans.
Keenen Ivory Wayans created "In Living Color", he is also a writer, director, actor, and producer of many films, such as "Scary Movie" and "I'm Gunna Get You Sucka".
who would go on to be less famous than his brother. but yeah. and Grier was probably more famous in the 70s for being a gorgeous actress and model and appearing (often nude) in numerous "blaxploitation" films of the era, before she'd go on to work in comedy in the 80s and 90s.
whoa. How did I get David Alan Grier mixed up with Pam Grier? I must have glanced at my comment, seen Grier, and then everything past the name that I wrote somehow did not register.
I've always thought 3-named movie stars sounded a little pretentious, but I suppose they have to have something to make them more easily remembered until they become known for their talent.
part of it's due to screen actors guild rules barring members from using the same name as another member. so if there were already a jenny wren in SAG, you'd have to use your middle name or initial or something to distinguish yourself.
I think David Alan Grier is being confused with Pam Grier. David Alan is the one who was on "In Living Color"; Pam is the actress who starred in the Blaxploitation movies of the '70s/'80s.
Pretty massive omission. :')