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 March 2007, Joe Torry was archived into the Comedy Hall of Fame which includes greats such as: Bill Cosby and Jerry Lewis. In July 2006, Joe was the youngest ever to be inducted into his alma mater, Lincoln University (Jefferson City, Missouri) prestigious Alumni Hall of Fame. 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.
Torry established MO Films in 2003, which is headquartered in St. Louis, MO. The company will produce screenplays in the Midwest.
Joe has written his own feature films 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, Missouri and abroad." Joe and Guy also have a television project in the works.
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) (Tyson 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 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 the non-profit organization called, the "Giving Back the Love" Foundation on Christmas Day 1996.
Some of Joe's new projects include: "Motives II", "Red Rum", "Caught On Tape", "Mansfield 12", "Hood Hostages", "A Good Man Is Hard To Find" and "Night Tales". Also now on DVD films, "Beauty Shop", produced by Magic Johnson, "The Great Commission", a trilogy on the Showtime Network, the feature film "Motives", starring Vivica Fox and Shemar Moore; the comedy special "Family Business", starring Guy and Joe
Some of Joe Torry's past and current work include the following films: "Lock Down", "Commitments", "Flamingo Rising", "Poetic Justice", "Sprung", "Tales From The Hood", "Fled", "Back in Business", "Strictly Business", "Talking Dirty", and "House Party 3". Television debuts include four episodes of "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. Joe and wife Chrystal, a native of St. Louis, reside in Los Angeles, CA with sons, Kameron and Joseph II.
