The Breakfast Club Best of full interview: A Very Serious Interview With Donnell Rawlings
Jan 5, 2026
Donnell Rawlings, a veteran stand-up comedian and actor, shares candid insights from his 30-plus year career. He dives into the challenges of co-parenting, the importance of authenticity on stage, and his unique approach to comedy as a truth teller. Donnell reflects on the evolving nature of comedy, the impact of social media, and how he mentors new talent through the Raw Edge Collective. From his military experience to amusing anecdotes about auditioning for Spider-Man, he emphasizes the value of laughter and connection.
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Co-Parenting As Intentional Family Building
- Donnell Rawlings describes his co-parenting approach as deliberately structured to create a stable family feeling for his son.
- He models cooperation with his child's mother despite personal issues to prioritize their son's wellbeing.
One Line That Beat A Lost Gig
- Donnell recalls landing a memorable one-line improv in Spider-Man 2 after losing a BET gig the day before.
- The improv “Whoa, he stole that guy's pizza!” became his kept line and a lasting small career highlight.
Father's Incarceration Shaped His Parenting
- Donnell shares childhood memories visiting his father in prison and how that shaped his commitment to fatherhood.
- He uses that example to explain why he actively makes memories with his son to avoid repeating his father's absence.