DeRay Davis is a ghost. Well, not literally. But if you’ve watched basically any major Black comedy or gritty crime drama in the last twenty years, you’ve seen him. He’s that guy. The one who shows up, steals a scene with a single look or a perfectly timed "yo," and then vanishes back into the Chicago streets he came from. Most people just think of him as Ray-Ray from the Barbershop movies, but that’s barely scratching the surface of what he’s actually done.
Honestly, his filmography is kind of a chaotic masterpiece. You’ve got high-budget action flicks, cult-classic animations, and then suddenly he’s a getaway driver in a drug kingpin’s empire.
The Hustle That Started It All
Before we get into the heavy stuff, you have to look at the "Hustle Guy." In 2002, Barbershop changed everything for him. He played Ray-Ray, the dude constantly trying to sell bootleg DVDs and oversized suits in the background. It wasn't just a role; it was a vibe. He brought that same energy to Johnson Family Vacation (2004) and Barbershop 2: Back in Business.
He was the king of the "lovable hood" archetype.
But then he started doing weird, cool stuff. Did you know he was in The Fog (2005)? Yeah, a horror remake. He played Spooner. It wasn’t a comedy role, even if he provided the light relief. It showed he could actually exist in a world that wasn’t just about punchlines.
DeRay Davis Movies and TV Shows: Crossing Over
If you grew up in the mid-2000s, DeRay was everywhere. You probably heard him before you saw him in some cases. He’s the voice behind those legendary "Broke Phi Broke" skits on Kanye West’s Late Registration. That transition from the recording studio to the screen was seamless.
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Let's talk about the big-budget pivot.
- 21 Jump Street (2012): He played Domingo. He wasn't just a background comic; he was part of the central antagonist's crew.
- G.I. Joe: Retaliation (2013): A literal blockbuster.
- Semi-Pro (2008): Playing Bee Bee Ellis alongside Will Ferrell.
He has this specific ability to play "tough but funny" better than almost anyone else in Hollywood. He doesn't have to try hard to look like he belongs in a street scene, mostly because he actually grew up in the South Side of Chicago. That authenticity is why John Singleton loved him.
The Snowfall Revelation
This is where it gets interesting. Most fans know him as Peaches in Snowfall. He was Franklin Saint’s loyal-until-he-wasn't security and driver. He played it straight. No jokes. Just a man struggling with addiction and the weight of the game.
But here’s the kicker: DeRay was originally supposed to be Uncle Jerome.
John Singleton had him and Lauren London set to play Jerome and Louie. There’s a famous photo of them sitting on a couch together from the early development days. Eventually, the roles went to Amin Joseph and Angela Lewis (who were incredible), but DeRay stayed on as Peaches. It changed the trajectory of his dramatic career. Seeing him go from the "Hustle Guy" to a man meeting a tragic end in a basement in the final season of a prestige drama? That's range.
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The King of the Small Screen
If you flip through cable—or what’s left of it in 2026—you’ll find him hosting everything. He’s the face of Hip Hop Squares. He’s a veteran on Wild 'N Out.
He’s also popped up in:
- Empire: Playing Jermel.
- The Chi: Playing Master Marshawn.
- The Boondocks: Providing various voices (his voice acting is underrated).
- Power Book II: Ghost: Keeping that crime drama streak alive.
He’s a workhorse. Seriously. While some actors wait for the "perfect" script, DeRay just works. He hosts game shows, does voiceovers for Netflix's History of Swear Words, and still headlines comedy clubs every single weekend.
Why the Specials Matter
You can't talk about his screen presence without his stand-up. DeRay Davis: How to Act Black on Netflix is basically a manifesto on his career. It explains why he plays the roles he plays. He’s aware of the tropes. He leans into them and then subverts them.
He’s not trying to be the next leading man in a rom-com. He’s comfortable being the high-stakes character actor who makes a movie better just by being in the room for ten minutes.
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What People Get Wrong
The biggest misconception? That he’s just a "comical sidekick."
If you actually watch his performance in All Eyez on Me (the Tupac biopic) where he played Legs, or his recurring stint on The Game, you see a guy who understands the rhythm of a scene. He knows when to be quiet. That’s the hardest thing for a stand-up comedian to learn in front of a camera.
He’s also incredibly picky about his "Chicago-ness." He’s criticized shows that get the accent or the geography of his hometown wrong. That's that E-E-A-T (Experience, Expertise, Authoritativeness, and Trustworthiness) in action—he’s an expert on the culture he portrays.
The Next Step for Your Watchlist
If you want to see the full evolution of DeRay Davis, don't just binge-watch his comedy specials. You need to see the contrast.
Start with Barbershop to see the raw comedic energy. Then, jump straight to Season 2 of Snowfall. Watch how he carries himself as Peaches. The difference is jarring in the best way possible.
After that, check out his voice work in The Boondocks. It’s where he gets to be as wild as he wants without the physical constraints of a "tough guy" role.
He’s currently touring his "Apologies in Advance" set throughout 2026, so if you want to see the man behind the characters, catching him live is the only way to get the unfiltered version. He’s one of the few who managed to survive the "urban comedy" bubble of the early 2000s and turn it into a legitimate, multi-decade career in prestige television and film.