It is a safe bet that whatever you heard or remember about Faizon Love has made you laugh.
Get ready to laugh some more as Love brings his 2018 national stand-up tour to Indianapolis. He will be the special guest during performances this week at Morty’s Comedy Joint on Feb. 17 and Feb. 18. Show times are 7:15 p.m. and 9:45 p.m. on both nights.
Over a career that has lasted nearly 30 years, Love has become a familiar face in several films and television shows.
He is best known for the memorable role of drug dealer Big Worm in the 1995 film Friday, where he warns lead characters Craig (Ice Cube) and Smokey (Chris Tucker) to replace $200 worth of marijuana they smoked instead of selling, or they would be killed.
“Playing with my money is like playing with my emotions,” Love quipped in one of the most popular scenes from the film.
That was Love’s breakthrough role, and he went on to appear in other mainstream films such as Elf with Will Ferrell, Money Talks with Chris Tucker, The Perfect Holiday with Charlie Murphy and Katt Williams and Couples Retreat with Vince Vaughn.
During a recent interview, Love shared the secret of success that he and other comedians have used in their careers: jokes that deal with real life and that virtually anyone can relate to.
“We’re here to tell you what we see,” Love explained in his colorful, direct manner.
With his strong ties to the music industry, Love has appeared in music videos by rappers such as Ludacris and Lil’ Jon, as well as acted in hip-hop flavored productions such as Idlewild featuring the rap duo outcast and Who’s Your Caddy with Terry Crews and Sherri Shepherd.
Love got his start as a professional stand-up comedian at the age of nineteen. He appeared on programs such as Def Comedy Jam on HBO, Shaq’s All Star Comedy Jam and Martin Lawrence’s 1st Amendment Comedy.
Love made his motion picture debut in the 1990 animated feature Bebe’s Kids, providing a well-received impression of comedian Robin Harris, who was scheduled to participate in the project but had died of a heart attack.
Seeing Love’s talent in Bebe’s Kids, producer Robert Townsend, known for popular 1990s films such as The Five Heartbeats, gave him a role in the movie The Meteor Man as well as the sitcom The Parent ‘Hood.
Most recently, Love has been part of Real Husbands of Hollywood and appeared in the 2017 miniseries The New Edition Story as Maurice Starr, the group’s first producer.
Morty’s has noted that Love is excited about having a good time with Indianapolis residents and posted a Facebook video with a funny message from him and his daughter stating that he looks forward to performing at Morty’s.
“The response has been crazy,” Morty’s wrote in a statement, calling the Love appearance the “perfect” Valentine’s Day gift. “Tickets are moving fast and this show will sell out.”
Love was recently asked about reprising the role of Big Worm after actors Mike Epps and John Witherspoon confirmed production of a fourth and likely final Friday film.
“Nah, I’m too old for it,” Love said, adding that he has suggested that Ice Cube take on the role because he also has a large size and make it into a Netflix show to attract new viewers.
“I think he would kill it,” Love continued. “Have him and Nia’s character get married and move around the corner.”
