Joe Torry, a nationally known actor/comedian and
native of St. Louis, has developed an impressive resume in the
entertainment business and in life. Joe studied television, radio
and print at Lincoln University where he received a B.A. in Mass
Communications / Journalism Broadcasting.
In 2001, Joe
was awarded The President's Lifetime Achievement Award from his
alma mater. He was also inducted into the National Black College
Alumni Hall of Fame, where he joined other great inductees such
as Thurgood Marshall, Langston Hughes and Martin Luther King,
Jr. In May of 2002, Joe also received an Honorary Doctorate Degree
of Humane Letters.
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Torry established
MO Films in 2003, which is headquartered in St. Louis, MO. This
company will produce screenplays in the Midwest. Joe has written
feature films and videos such as "Back at Home", "2 Chefs a Stripper
and a Preacher", and "The P.I. Brothers", which stars Joe and
his talented brother, Guy Torry. "I want to bring Hollywood to
the Midwest and provide the same opportunities for thriving artists
right here in St. Louis, MO and abroad."
In the past,
Joe has written and appeared in various projects for film and
television. His talent was also recognized in the commercial world
by big corporations with national spots for Anheuser Busch (2005
NFL Playoffs), Pepsi ('96 Super Bowl), Nike ("The Barber Shop",
NBA Greats) and Gold Beer (Typson-Holyfield II). These successful
projects have led Joe to pursue directing and producing.
Joe feels that
working with some of the biggest names in Hollywood and establishing
great relationships has compelled him to take God's blessing to
another level with MO Films. "People just don't know how beautiful
St. Louis really is until they visit."
Torry's close-knit
family provided him the background of love and support needed
to maintain his strong values. Based on his foundation of love
from early childhood, he founded a non-profit organization called
the "Giving Back the Love" Foundation on Christmas Day 1996. Joe
and wife, Chrystal, a native of St. Louis, reside in Los Angeles,
CA with their two sons, Kameron and toddler, Joseph II.
Some of Joe's
new projects include: the feature film, "Beauty Shop", with Queen
Latifah, Kellita Smith, produced by Magic Johnson; "The Great
Commission", a trilogy on the Showtime network; the feature film
"Motive", staring Vivica Fox and Shemar Moore; the comedy special/DVD
"Family Business", staring Guy and Joe; and the DVD film "Haunted
House Party". Joe and Guy also have a television project in the
works.
Some of Joe Torry's
past and current work includes the following films: "Lock Down",
"Commitments", "Flamingo Rising", "Poetic Justice", "Spring",
"Tales From The Hood", "Fled", "Back In Business", "Strictly Business",
"Talking Dirty", and "House Party 3". Television debuts include
four episodes on "ER", "NYPD Blue", "Amen", "Dangerous Minds",
host of HBO's "Def Comedy Jam", guest host of BET's "LA Live",
and guest on the Conan O'Brien Show.
Torry grew up
in West St. Louis near Wellston and graduated from Southwest High
School and currently resides in Los Angeles, Calif.
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