Alonzo Bodden

Alonzo Bodden is an American stand-up comedian, actor, writer, and political commentator known for his work in comedy, television, and film. Before beginning his entertainment career, Bodden spent nine years as a jet mechanic for Lockheed Martin and McDonnell Douglas, where he worked on the F-117 Nighthawk stealth bomber. While training fellow mechanics, he discovered his ability to entertain, which led him to enroll in a stand-up comedy class after being laid off.

Bodden gained national attention after being featured in the "New Faces of Comedy" showcase at the Just for Laughs Festival in Montreal. He became widely recognized through his participation on the reality competition "Last Comic Standing," finishing as runner-up in season two and winning the grand prize in season three. He later served as a talent judge on the show's fifth season.

Throughout his career, Bodden has appeared in television, film, and live performances. He starred in two Showtime comedy specials, "Historically Incorrect" and "Who's Paying Attention," and released the special "Heavy Lightweight" on Amazon Prime Video, addressing topics such as race, politics, and pop culture. His film credits include roles in "Bringing Down the House," "The Girl Next Door," and "Scary Movie 4." On television, he has appeared on ABC's "Fresh Off the Boat," "The Tonight Show with Jay Leno," "Late Night with Conan O'Brien," and Comedy Central's "The Nightly Show with Larry Wilmore." Bodden also hosted Speed Channel's "101 Cars You Must Drive" and Travel Channel's "America's Worst Driver," and was a recurring panelist on Game Show Network's "Mind of a Man."

Bodden is a recurring panelist on NPR's weekly news quiz show "Wait Wait... Don't Tell Me!" and hosts the podcast "Who's Paying Attention?," where he discusses world events with a comedic perspective. He has performed for USO troops internationally, demonstrating his commitment to live comedy and diverse audiences. With extensive experience in stand-up, television, film, and podcasting, Bodden is recognized as a prominent voice in American comedy and political commentary.