If you’ve ever watched Lavell Crawford tear up a stage or hold his own next to Bryan Cranston in Breaking Bad, you know he’s a force. But behind the scenes of the man famously known as Huell Babineaux, there’s a steady, driving force that doesn't usually get the spotlight. Her name is DeShawn Crawford.
Honestly, it’s refreshing. In a world where celebrity marriages often fizzle out faster than a bad opening act, DeShawn and Lavell have built something that actually lasts. They aren't just a "Hollywood couple." They’re a unit.
Who is DeShawn Crawford anyway?
DeShawn Crawford isn't just "Lavell Crawford's wife." She's a businesswoman in her own right, though she tends to keep a much lower profile than her husband. While Lavell is out there making people howl with his stand-up, DeShawn is often the one keeping the gears turning behind the curtain.
They met back in 2007. Imagine that for a second. This was before the massive fame of Breaking Bad. Before the Grammy nominations. Back when Lavell was a runner-up on Last Comic Standing. They dated for about two years before deciding to make it official.
The couple tied the knot on August 15, 2009.
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They’ve been married for over 15 years now. In the entertainment industry, that’s basically a lifetime. You’ll often see them together on red carpets, like their early appearance at the Hoodie Awards in Las Vegas right around the time they got married. She’s consistently been his "plus one," but those close to them say she’s more like his "number one."
A Partnership Built on Support
One thing Lavell has been incredibly vocal about is his health journey. If you’ve seen him recently, he looks like a different person. He lost over 120 pounds, a transformation that wasn't just about vanity but about staying alive for his family.
He’s gone on record multiple times—kinda getting emotional about it, actually—thanking DeShawn for being his rock during that time. Weight loss at that level, especially following gastric sleeve surgery, is a mental game. DeShawn was the one making sure he stayed on track. She wanted him around for the long haul.
Life at Home: The Crawford Kids
There’s a bit of a mix-up sometimes online about their kids. Some sources say they have one son, while others mention three. Most reliable accounts points toward them having one son together, also named Lavell, who was born a few years into their marriage.
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Lavell often jokes about his family in his specials, like Home for the Holidays. He talks about the "relatable chaos" of family trips to Disneyland and the madness of Christmas. While he plays it for laughs, it's clear his home life with DeShawn is the anchor that keeps him grounded.
- Marriage Date: August 15, 2009
- Met In: 2007
- Core Dynamic: Business-minded and supportive
Why Their Relationship Still Matters
It’s easy to dismiss celebrity spouses as "accessories," but DeShawn is the blueprint for a partner who understands the grind. She’s seen the transition from Lavell being a club comic to a household name.
Basically, she’s been there for the "before" and the "after."
She manages to balance being a private person with the public nature of her husband's career. You won't find her chasing clout on TikTok or trying to start a reality show. She seems perfectly content being the powerhouse behind the scenes.
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What most people get wrong
People think being the wife of a famous comedian is all glitz and glamour. Truthfully? It’s probably a lot of long nights and worrying about tour schedules. DeShawn has handled the transition from the "Big Man" era of Lavell’s career to his newer, healthier chapter with total grace.
She’s been a businesswoman, a mother, and a manager-type figure all rolled into one. When you look at Lavell’s success—the SAG Awards, the specials, the movies—you’re seeing the result of a stable home life that DeShawn has worked hard to maintain.
If you’re looking to follow in the footsteps of a solid relationship, look at how these two handle the press. They stay out of the tabloids. They don’t air their "dirty laundry." They just show up, do the work, and go home to their family.
To really understand the Crawford legacy, you have to look at the woman who helped build it. DeShawn Crawford might not be the one telling the jokes, but she's definitely the one making sure the stage is set.
Next time you watch a Lavell Crawford special, keep an eye out for the mentions of his "queen." He isn't just saying it for the crowd. He's saying it because it’s true. You can see the shift in his energy when he talks about his family—it’s the one thing he doesn't poke fun at too harshly.
For those following celebrity families, the lesson here is simple: find someone who stays when the cameras are off. That's exactly what DeShawn has done for nearly two decades.