Biographie

Timothy L. "Tim" Reid[1] (born December 19, 1944) is an American actor, comedian and film director best known for his roles in prime time American television programs, such as WKRP in Cincinnati.

Early years
Reid was born in Norfolk, Virginia, the son of Augustine (née Wilkins) and William Lee Reid.[1] He earned his Bachelor of Business Administration at Norfolk State College in 1968.[2] After graduation he was hired by Dupont Corporation, where he worked for three years.[2]

Reid's entertainment career also began in 1968, under atypical circumstances. He and insurance salesman Tom Dreesen met at a Junior Chamber of Commerce meeting near Chicago.[3] They were "put together to promote an anti-drug program in the local schools" and, prompted by a comment from a child, decided to form a comedy team.[3] The team, later billed as "Tim & Tom", was the first interracial comedy duo. Years later, Reid and Dreesen co-wrote a book about those years called Tim & Tom: An American Comedy in Black and White (ISBN 978-0-226-70900-0, co-written with sports writer Ron Rapoport).

[edit] Television acting career
Reid started out on the short-lived The Richard Pryor Show.

Reid starred as DJ "Venus Flytrap" on the hit CBS sitcom WKRP in Cincinnati, in what is perhaps his best known TV role.

Reid also starred as Lieutenant Marcel Proust "Downtown" Brown (episodes 43-127), on the CBS detective series Simon & Simon.

In 1988, Reid won an award from Viewers for Quality Television Awards as "Best Actor in a Quality Comedy Series" in Frank's Place. In 1988, the same role earned him an Image Award for "Outstanding Lead Actor in a Comedy Series."[4]

Reid appeared in the movie version of Stephen King's IT. He played the role of Mike Hanlon, the librarian at the Derry, Maine Public Library. Reid also made an appearance as Sgt. Ray Bennett of the Seacouver Police Department in three first-season episodes of Highlander: The Series.

He had a starring role in the series Sister Sister as Ray, for the entire six season run. On April 13, 2009, Reid returns to his former co-star Tamera Mowry on The short-lived ABC Family series Roommates. Reid plays Mr. Daniels, Hope's father in the episode "The Break In" in which Mowry played Hope Daniels.

He also had a recurring role on That '70s Show as William Barnett.

[edit] Directing
Reid has directed various television programs as well the film Once Upon a Time...When We Were Colored based on a novel by Clifton L. Taulbert.

He directed and adapted a children's TV show called Bobobobs which aired in the late '80s.

He also worked on Samurai Pizza Cats, Maya the Bee, the animated feature David Copperfield, The Little Lulu Show, Ovide Video, The Little Flying Bears, The Real Story of, all CINAR TV specials of Madeline, Ox Tales, all English versions of The Wonderful Wizard of Oz TV series and specials, the English version of the 1970s anime special The Little Mermaid, Diplodos, The Littl' Bits, The Smoggies, all of Saban's adaptations of Peter Pan, The Little Mermaid, Pinocchio and Gulliver's Travels, Christopher Columbus, the English version of the anime adaptation The Jungle Book, The Legend of White Fang, Cat Tales, Papa Beaver's Storytime, Sharky and George, C.L.Y.D.E., The Adventures of the Little Koala, Bob in a Bottle, The World of David the Gnome, Wisdom of the Gnomes, A Bunch of Munsch and Young Robin Hood.

[edit] Personal life
In 1967, Reid married Rita; they divorced on May 9, 1980. They have two children together: Tim Reid II (born 1968) and Tori Reid (born 1971). Since December 4, 1982, he has been married to actress Daphne Maxwell Reid.