Using his experiences growing up in Newark, Bill Bellamy started doing stand-up while he was a student at Rutgers University. Bellamy quickly discovered how much he enjoyed making people laugh.
Bill began honing his skills at small comedy clubs around the country and was soon making waves in the New York clubs like The Improv, The Comic Strip, and at The Comedy Store in Los Angeles.
In less than two years of launching his stand-up career, Bellamy earned a spot on HBO’s DEF COMEDY JAM where he notoriously coined the phrase “Booty Call.” The now famous late-night rendez-vous moniker became the name for his first comedy special for Showtime; “Booty Call” and it was instantly one of the network’s top-rated specials.
Bellamy became a staple on MTV as one of the first “VJs” on the network. He hosted several of their programming blocks, including MTV JAMS and MTV BEACH HOUSE, while interviewing everyone from the late Kurt Cobain to Janet Jackson. In 1996, Bill landed his own series, “The Billy Bellamy Show.”
Bill starred in the syndicated show MR. BOX OFFICE alongside along side Jon Lovitz, Tim Meadows, and Viveca J. Fox. Prior to MR. BOX OFFICE Bellamy has appeared on recurring episodes of Tyler Perry’s MEET THE BROWNS/TBS and has guest-starred on ABC’s CASTLE, USA’s ROYAL PAINS, USA’s WHITE COLLAR & TNT’s MURDER IN THE FIRST. Previously, Bill hosted four seasons of the TV One comedy competition show WHO’S GOT JOKES? and two seasons of NBC’s Emmy Nominated LAST COMIC STANDING.
Bellamy also continued to star on the big screen in addition to garnering coveted guest roles in several prominent television series. In the feature world, Bellamy starred in LOVE JONES, HOW TO BE A PLAYER, LOVE STINKS, THE BROTHERS, and ANY GIVEN SUNDAY. At the same time, showcasing his mutli-hyphenate talents, Bellamy continued to hone his comedy and stand-up prowess. He debuted his second comedy special, CRAZY SEXY DIRTY in May 2012, it was one of the highest rated comedy specials of their respective years on Showtime. In 2017 Bellamy co-starred with Shemar Moore & Nadine Velazquez in the romantic-comedy THE BOUNCE BACK.
In between acting in feature films, TV shows and hosting duties, Bill decided return to his first love – stand-up comedy. Bellamy debuted his third Showtime comedy special, LADIES NIGHT OUT in 2013. The tour sold out nation-wide and featured material by comedians Ali Siddiq, J. Reid and D’Lai. Bill has appeared as a featured player in SHAQ”S ALL STAR COMEDY JAM which tours across the country and as a Showtime comedy special in 2017. Bill also headlined a nation-wide comedy tour, THE STANDING OVATION TOUR, with Tommy Davidson, Sommore, Marc Curry & Tony Rock.
In 2018, Bellamy had a key recurring role on HBO’s INSECURE. Bellamy can next be seen in the horror/thriller film, A DARK FOE, opposite Selma Blair and Graham Greene. Bill is currently shooting a series regular role in the ABC pilot, NANA, alongside Katey Segal.