Who Is Paul Mooney? The Grandfather of Newlyweds' Adonis Gladney Is a Big Deal in the Comedy World

Last week on Newlyweds: The First Year, Adonis Gladney tried to make 'em laugh during his stand-up comedy routine. In fact, comedy is in Adonis' genes. His grandfather is none other than legendary comedian Paul Mooney, which is something Adonis has proudly shared on the show this season.

And for good reason. Paul is kind of a big deal in the comedy world, having begun his career in the 1960s and continuing to work to this day. As Adonis has mentioned on Newlyweds, Paul is perhaps best known for writing for fellow comedy legend Richard Pryor. His jokes appeared on Saturday Night Live and on Richard's comedy albums and films, such as 1982's Live on the Sunset Strip. Paul also served as head writer for The Richard Pryor Show. Paul's writing helped many other famous comedians shine, including Redd Foxx on the classic '70s sitcom Sanford and Son, Jim Carrey on the seminal '90s sketch show In Living Color, for which he served as head writer during its premiere season, and Dave Chappelle, according to his bio.

Paul Mooney with Richard Pryor at the premiere of Life on April 13, 1999 in Westwood, California. Photo: David Keeler/Online USA, Inc.

However, Paul has also snagged the spotlight for himself thanks to a successful stand-up comedy career. He's known for his raw and hilarious commentary on race and other social and political issues, which you can experience for yourself through his many comedy albums and DVDs, including Race, Master Piece, Analyzing White America, and Piece of My Mind.

Like many stand-up comedians, Paul has also showed off his acting chops in some memorable film and TV roles. He has appeared in such diverse roles as Sam Cooke in 1978's The Buddy Holly Story and Junebug in the 2000 Spike Lee movie Bamboozled. Paul also had a recurring gig as Negrodamus on Chappelle's Show. The 74-year-old even has a new film role coming our way in the upcoming Mike Epps comedy-thriller Meet the Blacks out April 1.

If you're not content with just seeing Paul on the big screen in the near future, you may also be able to catch him on a stage near you. Paul still brings his stand-up comedy around the country today. Most recently, he had a pair of special shows with fellow comic Dick Gregory at Washington, D.C.'s Howard Theatre and New York's B.B. King Blues Club & Grill last July.

We hope Paul will make an appearance on Newlyweds this season, but if not, we're sure to hear Adonis talk about how proud he is of his of his grandpa.

Check out pics of Adonis and his new wife Erica Gladney through the years, below.