The Breakfast Club Eating While Broke - Godfrey the Comedian
Jan 31, 2026
Godfrey, Nigerian-American stand-up comic and actor known for decades of stage and screen work, reflects on his upbringing and comedy journey. He talks about budget cooking, Nigerian food traditions, the moment he chose stand-up, moving to New York, handling hecklers, pushing boundaries in material, and crowdfunding and filming his Apollo special.
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Broke Meal That Stretched Dollars
- Godfrey describes a budget meal of black beans, chicken, rice, and plantains as a staple he made for $10–$12 and saved for multiple servings.
- He frames it as 'poor people's food' that's healthy, filling, and used during his early solo-living days.
First Apartment, First Cooking Lessons
- Godfrey moved into his own studio after booking a McDonald's commercial and started learning to cook basic meals while still relying on his mother for Nigerian dishes.
- He recalls living about 20 minutes from his parents and using pots and pans they provided when he first moved out at ~22 years old.
Steve Harvey's One-Line Career Push
- Godfrey recounts talking with Steve Harvey in a Chicago club and getting blunt career advice to split from a noncommitted comedy partner.
- Steve's simple line, 'cut his ass,' pushed Godfrey to pursue solo stand-up.
