Chicago comedian Damon Williams talks going viral, City Winery show in West Loop
Chicago's own comedy veteran Damon Williams has been making us laugh for over three decades.
He's performed for the Kings of Comedy, Chris Rock, and Patti LaBelle, to name a few.
Williams credits his 32 years in the comedy game to his enjoyment of the craft.
"I always have fresh materials, I try to keep it fresh, but it's also being professional, being diligent, and being passionate, I think those factors put that together, plus it's how I pay my bills," he said.
He said his inspiration for his comedy comes from life, especially from Chicago.
"You know life is funny, all day every day, and in Chicago especially. If you just listen, you'll find it funny, and once again, I'm inspired by my bills," he said, laughing.
Williams has been a talent giant in his own right, but over the past few weeks, fans and celebrities have been blowing up the internet with "Who is Damon Williams?" The question came from comedian Jess Hilarious during a segment on the Breakfast Club.
"Swear to God, I don't know no damn Damon Williams," she said. "Sorry, sir. You might be a fine comedian, but I don't know you."
The moment sparked a movement by fans of Williams, and even other Chicago comedians, including B. Cole, created a song explaining who he is.
"Cedric the Entertainer was one of the first people to chime in and say, 'Well, I know Damon Williams,' and then it became a hashtag, 'I know Damon Williams,' and know people I've been knowing forever are walking up, 'What's your name again?' Now people went from not knowing my name pretending to not knowing my name," Williams said.
He said that he had to play off the trend to negate the negative side.
"See, it's good to be in a moment like this, at this stage of my career, and not be a scandal. There's no baby oil attached to my situation," he said, laughing.
He adds, "For it to be positive, overwhelmingly positive. Also, you have to realize that there's a negative side, like the younger ones don't really know me or didn't know me, so they like 'I'm looking at him and I still don't know his big dome head,' you know, so it's stuff like that."
Damon Williams will be performing at City Winery at 1200 W. Randolph Street.
Doors open at 6:30 p.m. with the show kicking off at 7:30 p.m.
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Fox News
13 minutes ago
- Fox News
Reporter's Notebook: Remembering courage on the 81st anniversary of D-Day
I've covered many anniversaries of D-Day, and they never lose their power to move. We were at the 81st anniversary at the stunning American cemetery in Normandy near Omaha Beach on Friday. American and other allied forces landed on that and other beaches, as well as parachuting from the skies, to go on to defeat Nazi Germany in World War II. Some 75,000 U.S. troops were involved. 2,500 were killed. 5,000 injured. Just on that day itself. One of those who made it across Omaha Beach is the still-very spry 102-year-old Minnesota-born Jake Larson. He declared to us jubilantly, "Not only did I make it through six battles … I made it without a scratch! Somebody 'upstairs' loves me." Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth spoke at the ceremony marking the day and met with the dwindling number of World War II veterans. He told us that alliances were important on D-Day and still could be important in these troubled times. " America first' hasn't meant and doesn't mean 'America alone,'" he added. "Working with our allies and partners, there's a lot we can accomplish now with gathering threats in the world." Still, some of those who saw action in Normandy and around the globe in World War II are not sure the message has gotten through. Two centenarian combat veterans and native New Yorkers, brought to France by the Greatest Generations Foundation, have their own thoughts. Flushing-born Ray Sweeney asked rhetorically, "What did we learn? I don't think we learned much. We gave up a lot of bodies. We had a lot of bodies." And Brooklyn-born Harold Radish noted, "War is heroic in the movies. But in real life, it's killing. It's not getting along with somebody." Still, the crowds who came Friday to the now-peaceful French beaches were steady and large. A strong sign that sacrifices have been remembered. And maybe some lessons learned.
Associated Press
18 minutes ago
- Associated Press
U.S. Postal Service Issues Latest U.S. Flag Stamp
THREE OAKS, Mich., June 7, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- Today, the Postal Service dedicated a new U.S. Flag stamp at a ceremony at the Vickers Theater in Three Oaks. 'An enduring emblem of freedom, national unity and patriotic spirit, the flag of the United States has flown proudly stateside, abroad and even on the surface of the moon,' said Donald Dombrow Jr., the Postal Service's Michigan 2 District manager, who spoke at the ceremony. Other speakers included photographer Doug Haight, whose artwork is featured on the stamp. The current American flag consists of 13 alternating horizontal stripes — seven red and six white — and 50 stars on a field of blue. The stripes represent the 13 Colonies that declared independence from Great Britain to become the nation's first states. The stars represent the present number of states. The stamp features an image of Old Glory, fluttering in a breeze, against a bright white background. The words 'UNITED STATES OF AMERICA' are rendered in blue type above a horizontal red stripe. 'FOREVER/USA' appears along the bottom of the stamp in gray lettering. Antonio Alcalá, an art director for USPS, designed the stamp, which will be issued in booklets and panes of 20, and coils of 100, 3,000 and 10,000. As Forever stamps, they will always be equal in value to the current First-Class Mail 1-ounce price. News of the stamps is being shared on social media with the hashtag #USFlagStamps. Postal Products Customers may purchase stamps and other philatelic products through the Postal Store at by calling 844-737-7826, by mail through USA Philatelic or at Post Office locations nationwide. For officially licensed stamp products, shop the USPS Officially Licensed Collection on Amazon. Additional information on stamps, dedication ceremonies and stamp-inspired products can be found at Please Note: The United States Postal Service is an independent federal establishment, mandated to be self-financing and to serve every American community through the affordable, reliable and secure delivery of mail and packages to nearly 169 million addresses six and often seven days a week. Overseen by a bipartisan Board of Governors, the Postal Service is implementing a 10-year transformation plan, Delivering for America, to modernize the postal network, restore long-term financial sustainability, dramatically improve service across all mail and shipping categories, and maintain the organization as one of America's most valued and trusted brands. The Postal Service generally receives no tax dollars for operating expenses and relies on the sale of postage, products and services to fund its operations. For USPS media resources, including broadcast-quality video and audio and photo stills, visit the USPS Newsroom. Follow us on X, formerly known as Twitter; Facebook; Instagram; Pinterest; Threads; and LinkedIn. Subscribe to the USPS YouTube Channel. For more information about the Postal Service, visit and National contact: Leisha Palmore-Drummond [email protected] Local contact: Elizabeth Najduch [email protected] View original content to download multimedia: SOURCE U.S. Postal Service
Forbes
an hour ago
- Forbes
Al Pacino Horror Movie ‘The Ritual' Splattered With 6% Critics Score
Al Pacino at the 96th Annual Oscars held at Dolby Theatre on March 10, 2024 in Los Angeles, ... More California. (Photo by Rich Polk/Variety via Getty Images) Oscar-winning actor Al Pacino is getting no love from Rotten Tomatoes critics for his new horror movie The Ritual. Pacino, of course, is the legendary star of such films as Francis Ford Coppola's The Godfather Trilogy, Serpico, Dog Day Afternoon, Scarface and Heat. Recently, Pacino — who has been nominated for nine Oscars and won for Best Actor for the 1992 drama Scent of a Woman — has recently starred in such acclaimed films as Martin Scorese's The Irishman and Ridley Scott's House of Gucci. Pacino's The Ritual — which opened in theaters on Friday — has critics not raving, but ripping the celebrated actor's exorcism film. The official summary for the film reads, 'The Ritual is based on the true story of Emma Schmidt's 1928 exorcism — one of the most terrifying in U.S. history. 'After years of disturbing behavior, she underwent a week-long ordeal in an Iowa convent led by Father Theophilus Riesinger (Pacino). Witnesses reported levitation, unearthly voices, and supernatural strength. Sanctioned by the Church, her case inspired decades of horror — and now, The Ritual brings the original story to life.' The Ritual also stars Dan Stevens, Ashley Greene, Patrick Fabian and Patricia Heaton. As of Saturday morning, Rotten Tomatoes critics have collectively given The Ritual a lowly 6% 'rotten' score based on 48 reviews. The RT Critics Consensus for The Ritual reads, 'The Ritual purportedly presents a real occult occurrence, but the most blasphemous thing about it may be wasting Al Pacino's talents on a clichéd story with uninspired execution.' Dennis Harvey of Variety is among the top critics on RT who gives The Ritual a 'Rotten' review, writing, 'It just isn't much fun, even as it lacks the gravitas needed to make a more deeply unsetting impression, as William Friedkin famously managed with The Exorcist 52 years ago,' while Glenn Kenney of the New York Times simply notes, 'Just watch The Exorcist again.' In addition, the Guardian's Leslie Felperin's 'rotten' RT summary reads, '[Al] Pacino doesn't seem to be taking any of it seriously as he phones in an uncharacteristically low-volume performance.' Meagan Navarro of the horror film site Bloody Disgusting also fails to find any thrills and chills in her RT summary, writing, 'The 'based on a true story' horror movie fails to evoke any emotion as it sleepwalks through a tired recreation of an exorcism movie's third act, committing the ultimate cardinal sin in cinema: it's boring.' The only 'fresh' review from RT's top critics comes from Thelma Adams of AARP Movies for Grown-Ups, who writes, 'There is much faith testing and holy water slinging, but not a single jump scare. Still, [Al] Pacino is oddly compelling to watch.' The Ritual, starring Al Pacino, is now playing in in theaters.
