Andrew Dice Clay facts for kids

Andrew Dice Clay (born Andrew Clay Silverstein; September 29, 1957) is an American stand-up comedian and actor. He became famous in the late 1980s for his bold and controversial stage character, "The Diceman."

In 1990, he was the first stand-up comedian to sell out Madison Square Garden for two nights in a row. That same year, he starred in the comedy-mystery movie The Adventures of Ford Fairlane.

Clay has also appeared in many other films and TV shows. He received praise for his supporting roles in Woody Allen's Blue Jasmine (2013) and the 2018 movie A Star Is Born. He continues to act while also touring as a stand-up comedian.

Early Life and First Steps in Comedy

Andrew Dice Clay was born and raised in the Sheepshead Bay neighborhood of Brooklyn, New York. His father was a boxer and real estate agent.

From a young age, Clay loved to perform. At five years old, he would entertain his family by doing impressions of famous people. By age seven, he was playing the drums. As a teenager, he worked as a drummer, playing at parties and weddings.

After high school, he decided to become a full-time comedian. He said his heroes were Elvis Presley, Fonzie, John Travolta, and Sylvester Stallone.

Career

Starting Out in the 1970s

Clay began his stand-up career in 1978 at a comedy club in his neighborhood. His act was mostly impressions. He created a character called "The Diceman," which was based on characters played by Jerry Lewis and John Travolta.

His act became popular, and he started performing at bigger comedy clubs. His father was very supportive of his comedy from the beginning.

Rise to Fame in the 1980s

In 1980, Clay moved to Los Angeles and began performing at the famous Comedy Store. In 1983, he changed his stage name to Andrew Dice Clay and developed his "Diceman" alter ego. This character was based on his heroes.

He started getting roles in movies and TV shows, including M*A*S*H and Diff'rent Strokes. From 1986 to 1988, he had a regular role on the TV series Crime Story.

Clay's big break came in 1988 after a performance at a big event in Hollywood. The next day, the movie studio 20th Century Fox offered him a film deal. That same year, he appeared on an HBO special hosted by comedian Rodney Dangerfield, which made him famous across the country.

In 1989, his own HBO special, The Diceman Cometh, was a huge hit. His first comedy album, Dice, sold over 500,000 copies. However, his performance at the 1989 MTV Video Music Awards included some adult nursery rhymes, which led to MTV banning him from the network for many years. The ban was lifted in 2011.

Superstardom and Controversy in the 1990s

In February 1990, Clay performed for 38,000 people over two sold-out nights at Madison Square Garden.

When he hosted Saturday Night Live in May 1990, his controversial style of comedy caused some issues. A cast member and the musical guest refused to appear on the show with him in protest.

In 1991, he starred in the concert film Dice Rules. Because of his controversial act, not many theaters wanted to show the movie. In 1993, he starred in the first-ever stand-up comedy pay-per-view special, called No Apologies.

By the mid-1990s, Clay felt the "Diceman" character had become too much. He changed his stand-up act to talk more about his life as a husband and father. He also starred in the CBS sitcom Bless This House.

Acting and New Projects

Clay in 2012

Throughout the 2000s, Clay continued to perform and release comedy albums. In 2007, he had his own reality TV show on VH1 called Dice: Undisputed.

In 2011, he appeared in the final season of the HBO show Entourage. In 2012, his comedy special Indestructible aired on Showtime.

His acting career got a major boost in 2013 with his role in the movie Blue Jasmine. Critics praised his performance. In 2014, he released his book, The Filthy Truth.

In 2018, he played Lorenzo, the father of Lady Gaga's character, in the hit movie A Star Is Born. His performance was once again praised by critics.

Personal Life

Clay has been married three times and has two sons. One of his sons, Max, is also a stand-up comedian and sometimes opens for his father on tour.

In 2017, Clay had a medical procedure to open a blocked artery in his heart. In 2021, he was diagnosed with a temporary condition called Bell's palsy, but he continues to perform.

Selected Works

Comedy Specials

• The Diceman Cometh (1989)
• Dice Rules (1991)
• Andrew Dice Clay: For Ladies Only (1992)
• No Apologies (1993)
• Indestructible (2012)

Film

• Making the Grade (1984)
• Pretty in Pink (1986)
• The Adventures of Ford Fairlane (1990)
• Blue Jasmine (2013)
• A Star Is Born (2018)

Television

• M*A*S*H (1982)
• Diff'rent Strokes (1982–1983)
• Crime Story (1986–1988)
• Bless This House (1995–1996)
• Entourage (2011)
• Dice (2016–2017)
• Pam & Tommy (2022)