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D.L. Hughley

D.L. Hughley

Actor and writer, also producer and director · Born March 6, 1963 (63) · Los Angeles, California, USA

Darryl Lynn 'D. L.' Hughley (born March 6, 1963) is an American actor and stand-up comedian. He is best known as the star of the ABC/UPN sitcom The Hughleys, and as one of the four comedians featured in the Spike Lee film The Original Kings of Comedy. Additionally, he has been the host of CNN's D. L. Hughley Breaks the News, a correspondent for The Jay Leno Show on NBC, and a local radio personality in New York City.

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Biography from TMDB.

Born
March 6, 1963 (63)
From
Los Angeles, California, USA
Works as
Actor and writer, also producer and director
Titles
29 on MovieCove · 49 credits in all
Links
IMDb (opens in a new tab)TMDB (opens in a new tab)Wikidata (opens in a new tab)

Known for

TMDB popularity, last 155 days to Oct 26Up 4% in 30 days

What are D.L. Hughley's films like?

Across their 25 MovieCove titles with a thematic analysis, their films lean Society and Bonds.

Genres

Comedy8 titlesTypical Midcredits score: 40th percentile, at or above their average across these genres
: browse their Comedy movies
Documentary7 titlesTypical Midcredits score: 62nd percentile, at or above their average across these genres
: browse their Documentary movies
Action2 titlesTypical Midcredits score: 15th percentile
: browse their Action movies

Their MovieCove films by primary genre. The badge is the typical Midcredits score of the genre's films, the median percentile; an up arrow marks a genre at or above their average across these genres.

Themes

share of theme weight
Society
32%
Bonds
25%
Self
21%
Ideas
10%
Morality
10%
Survival
3%
Community10 titles, browse their movies with this themePrejudice6 titles, browse their movies with this themeFriendship6 titles, browse their movies with this themeSelf-worth3 titles, browse their movies with this themeDeception3 titles, browse their movies with this themeFamily bonds3 titles, browse their movies with this themeRomantic love3 titles, browse their movies with this themeComing of age3 titles, browse their movies with this theme

What they feel like to watch

their average across 20 films
ToneFeelDemandtheir average · filled zone: the category
Light: How heavy the subject matter and outlook get. Browse their light movies.
Tone · Weight
lightdark

Light 19 · Serious 1 · Dark 0

Grounded: How far its world departs from everyday reality. Browse their grounded movies.
Tone · Style
naturalisticheightened

Grounded 17 · Stylized 2 · Heightened 1

Gentle: How hard the emotional peaks hit while you watch. Browse their gentle movies.
Feel · Intensity
gentleintense

Gentle 13 · Charged 6 · Intense 1

Steady: How much it swings between very different feelings. Browse their steady movies.
Feel · Swings
steadyswings

Steady 15 · Shifting 5 · Whiplash 0

Funny: How much of the runtime is played for laughs. Browse their funny movies.
Feel · Humor
noneconstant

Straight-faced 1 · Some laughs 2 · Funny 17

Even-paced: How fast it moves from scene to scene. Browse their even-paced movies.
Demand · Pace
slowrelentless

A split, not a type: Slow burn 10 · Even-paced 9 · Relentless 1

Casual: How much focus it asks of you — look away and lose the thread? Browse their casual movies.
Demand · Attention
casualfull focus

Casual 18 · Engaged 2 · Full focus 0

Resolved: How much is left for you to interpret. Browse their resolved movies.
Demand · Resolution
resolvedambiguous

Resolved 20 · Open-ended 0 · Ambiguous 0

Roles they play

7 analyzed roles

Usually the Ally: 3 of 7 analyzed roles.

Ally
3 of 7
Hero
1 of 7
Mentor
1 of 7
Trickster
1 of 7
Shadow
1 of 7
Show the 7 roles

Moods and endings

endings are an aggregate; no title is named

Dominant moods · mentions across their titles

Joyful
18
Warm
11
Absurd
9
Hopeful
5
Tense
4
Other
16

How their films linger

Fun19 titles, browse their movies with this aftertasteFeel-good17 titles, browse their movies with this aftertasteHopeful5 titles, browse their movies with this aftertasteThought-provoking4 titles, browse their movies with this aftertasteBittersweet3 titles, browse their movies with this aftertasteUnsettling2 titles, browse their movies with this aftertaste

How their films end

  • Happy13
  • Bittersweet3
  • Ambiguous8
  • Cyclical1

AI-generated from each title's plot synopsis and cast list, with extra plot summaries, reviews and Parents Guide notes for titles the model may not know, and the model's own knowledge of the ones it recognizes. Only analyzed titles count, so this covers part of the filmography; the feel axes count films only for now.

Where can I watch D.L. Hughley's films?

As of October 24, 2026, 22 of their 29 MovieCove titles stream on a subscription or free service, most on Tubi (7).

Also on these channels

Subscription and free streaming for D.L. Hughley's titles on MovieCove; rent and buy are not counted. Titles are listed by Midcredits score, highest first, at most 12 per service; a dashed chip is a producer credit or a minor one, such as a thanks. A service opens the browse page, which counts movies only, so its number can differ.

Filmography

49 credits, 29 with a MovieCove page; 35 appearances as themselves are hidden until asked for.

  • N.W.A.: Not Without Alonzo (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2025)

    Actor

  • Johnson(2021)

    Show 40 episodes · as Eugene Johnson

    Midcredits score: 64th percentile of all shows

  • D.L. Hughley: Contrarian(2018)

    Writer · as Himself

    Midcredits score: 55th percentile of all films

  • The Comedy Get Down(2017)

    Show 10 episodes · as D.L. Hughley

    Midcredits score: 17th percentile of all shows

  • Heartbeat (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2016)

    Show 10 episodes · as Dr. Hackett

  • D.L. Hughley: Clear(2014)

    Writer · as Himself

    Midcredits score: 64th percentile of all films

  • D.L. Hughley: The Endangered List(2012)

    Director · as Himself

    Midcredits score: 54th percentile of all films

  • D.L. Hughley: Reset(2012)

    Producer · Writer · as Himself

    Midcredits score: 72nd percentile of all films

  • Cat Run(2011)

    as Dexter

    Midcredits score: 26th percentile of all films

  • Glory Daze (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2010)

    Show 2 episodes · as Coach Franklin

  • Hawaii Five-0(2010)

    Show 1 episode · as Skeet

    Midcredits score: 75th percentile of all shows

  • All Star Comedy Jam: Live from South Beach(2009)

    Actor

    Midcredits score: 52nd percentile of all films

  • D. L. Hughley Breaks the News (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2008)

    Show 17 episodes · Actor

  • Spy School(2008)

    as Albert

    Midcredits score: 16th percentile of all films

  • D.L. Hughley: Unapologetic(2007)

    Producer · Writer · as Himself

    Midcredits score: 62nd percentile of all films

  • S.O.B.: Socially Offensive Behavior (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2007)

    Show 1 episode · Actor

  • 1 vs. 100 (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2006)

    Show 1 episode · Actor

  • Studio 60 on the Sunset Strip(2006)

    Show 22 episodes · as Simon Stiles

    Midcredits score: 92nd percentile of all shows

  • The Adventures of Brer Rabbit(2006)

    as Brer Fox (voice)

    Midcredits score: 37th percentile of all films

  • Cloud 9(2006)

    as Tenspot

    Midcredits score: 7th percentile of all films

  • Shackles(2005)

    as Ben Cross

    Midcredits score: 51st percentile of all films

  • Weekends at the D.L. (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2005)

    Show 38 episodes · Producer · Actor

  • D.L. Hughley: Shocked & Appalled (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2005)

    Writer · Actor

  • Soul Plane(2004)

    as Johnny

    Midcredits score: 14th percentile of all films

  • Before They Were Kings: Vol. 1 (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2004)

    Writer · as Self

  • Scary Movie 3(2003)

    as John Wilson

    Midcredits score: 33rd percentile of all films

  • D.L. Hughley Live (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2003)

    Actor

  • Chasing Papi(2003)

    as Rodrigo

    Midcredits score: 17th percentile of all films

  • Inspector Gadget 2(2003)

    as Gadgetmobile (voice)

    Midcredits score: 3rd percentile of all films

  • Latham Entertainment Presents: An All New Comedy Experience (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2003)

    Writer · as Himself

  • Scrubs(2001)

    Show 1 episode · as Kevin Turk

    Midcredits score: 96th percentile of all shows

  • The Brothers(2001)

    as Derrick West

    Midcredits score: 56th percentile of all films

  • The Original Kings of Comedy(2000)

    Writer · as Self

    Midcredits score: 75th percentile of all films

  • The Parkers(1999)

    Show 1 episode · Actor

    Midcredits score: 56th percentile of all shows

  • D.L. Hughley: Goin' Home(1999)

    Executive Producer · Writer · as Himself

    Midcredits score: 65th percentile of all films

  • Inspector Gadget(1999)

    as Gadgetmobile (voice)

    Midcredits score: 3rd percentile of all films

  • Def Comedy Jam: All Stars 1 (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1999)

    Actor

  • The Hughleys (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1998)

    Show 89 episodes · Creator · Executive Producer · Producer · as Darryl Hughley

  • Premium Blend (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1997)

    Show 97 episodes · Actor

  • The Wonderful World of Disney (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1997)

    Show 1 episode · Actor

  • The Chris Rock Show (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1997)

    Show 1 episode · Actor

  • The Watcher (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1995)

    Show 1 episode · Actor

  • Double Rush (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1995)

    Show 13 episodes · as Marlon

  • HBO Comedy Half-Hour: D.L. Hughley (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1994)

    Writer · Actor

  • Sister, Sister(1994)

    Show 1 episode · as Hank

    Midcredits score: 27th percentile of all shows

  • HBO Comedy Half-Hour(1994)

    Show Writer

    Midcredits score: 77th percentile of all shows

  • ComicView (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1992)

    Show 12 episodes · Actor

  • The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air(1990)

    Show 1 episode · as Keith Cambell

    Midcredits score: 88th percentile of all shows

  • One Night Stand(1989)

    Show 1 episode · Writer · Actor

    Midcredits score: 73rd percentile of all shows

Career shape

Star power in the 91st percentile of 239,109 people with a billed film role, over a full career of 48 titles from 1989 to 2025; peak year 2002.

Biggest box office

Inspector Gadget (1999)

$134M worldwide

Highest rated

Studio 60 on the Sunset Strip (2006)

Midcredits 92nd

Film career

19892025

Peak 2002 · fewer prominent film roles lately. Film roles by billing, audience size and rating; 25+ votes. A show carries a single first-air date, so shows are not on the curve.

By role

only this rolewith another role
Acting39 of 48: 35 only acting, 4 with another role · typical Midcredits score37thDirecting1 of 48: 1 only directing, 0 with another roleWriting10 of 48: 7 only writing, 3 with another role · typical Midcredits score65thProducing3 of 48: 0 only producing, 3 with another roleOther crew1 of 48: 0 only other crew, 1 with another role

48 titles, 5 with more than one role — acting and writing overlap on 2 of them.

By decade

1980s1 · acting1990s14 · 13 acting · 3 crew2000s22 · 18 acting · 6 crew2010s9 · 5 acting · 4 crew2020s2 · acting

Billing

usually 7th · top billed in 0% of 8 roles

Counts from TMDB across their full career, self appearances out; a title counts in every role they held on it. The ring is the typical Midcredits score (the median percentile) of the role's titles that are on MovieCove, shown from 5 scored. Billing is TMDB cast order for roles with 25+ votes, billed in the top 30.

How do D.L. Hughley's films land?

Their typical MovieCove film has a Midcredits score in the 51st percentile, the median of all 19; across their 20 films with reception data, the typical film sits in the 44th percentile for acclaim.

Acclaim · how much people like their films

44thpercentile
Typical film, the median of 20

Approval · how many liked their films

56thpercentile
Typical film, the median of 20

Reach · how many have seen their films

39thpercentile
Typical film, the median of 20

Midcredits score across 29 titles, by percentile

  • 75th and up6
  • 50th to 74th12
  • 25th to 49th4
  • Below 25th7

Shape of the crowd

15 of their 29 titles are Mixed.

  • Universally Loved2
  • Universally Panned2
  • Divisive2
  • Cult Classic4
  • Crowd Pleaser4
  • Mixed15

Most divisive · actor

The Comedy Get Down (2017)

97th percentile spread · 44% rated it 4 or lower

Most loved · actor

Studio 60 on the Sunset Strip (2006)

Midcredits 92nd · 89% liked

Reviewers score the acting 59/100 in their films, across 10 reviewed titles; fans 75, detractors 27. The element that speaks to their work as an actor.

Percentiles are each film's standing among all films on MovieCove; the typical film is the median, so one outlier cannot drag it. Percentiles and reviewer scores count the films IMDb credits them on, for now; the Midcredits score bands, the shape of the crowd and the two cards count their MovieCove titles, shows included (a show ranked among shows), appearances as themselves left out. A descriptor is the shape of a title's IMDb rating distribution against the catalog; "most divisive" needs a spread wider than half of all titles, and a card names only a principal credit: a craft role, and on a show a crew role or a run of episodes, never a courtesy credit or a one-off guest spot.

Is D.L. Hughley's work okay for kids?

Across a limited sample of up to 3 MovieCove titles with content scores.

Their medianMedian of all films
Sex & Nudity3 titlesmedian 46 · moderateMedian of all films: 32

Severity 0–100 from the Content Guide. Categories with under 10 votes on a title are not counted.

Who does D.L. Hughley work with?

People who share at least 2 of D.L. Hughley's MovieCove titles, grouped by what they did on them; Dave Becky shares the most, 5.

Directors

Writers

Actors

Cinematographers and editors

Producers

Mixed roles