BY KEEGAN PROSSER

David Alan Grier has been a regular in the entertainment industry for quite some time – getting his start on the National Public Radio’s drama adaptation of “Star Wars” in 1980s as the voice of a nameless X-Wing fighter pilot during the Battle of Yavin.

In the early nineties he made famous a variety of characters as part of the cast of “In Living Color,” before going on to star in a number of comedic show and films.

But while Grier – or DAG, as he’s often referred – may be best known as the funny guy, he’s also got a serious side

After “In Living Color,” was cancelled, Grier made a cameo in the Robert De Niro/Edward Burns movie “15 Minutes” as a Central Park mugger, and later played an abusive father in Rusty Cundieff’s anthology film “Tales From the Hood.”

A graduate of the University of Michigan and the Yale School of Drama, Grier has also brought his knack for the dramatic to Broadway, where he was nominated for a Tony Award for his debut in “The First” and has also appeared in “A Funny Thing Happened on the Way to the Forum” and “Dreamgirls.” He also particpated previously as a contestant on the eighth season of NBC’s “Dancing With The Stars.”

Most recently, Grier played Sportin’ Life in the 2012 Tony-award winning revival of the Gershwin’s “Porgy and Bess.”  He was nominated for a Best Performance by a Featured Actor in a Musical Tony award for the role.

Still, Grier’s heart remains in the world of comedy to some extent – where’s he’s been known to guest on shows like the Adam Carolla Show and Loveline with Dr. Drew Pinksy, as well as frequent the stand-up circuit.

David Alan Grier performs at the Parlor Live Comedy Club Jan 17-19. $15-30, www.parlorlive.com.

More Laughs:

Parlor Live

1/3-6: D.L. Hughley

1/10-12: Jeff Dye

1/12: Doug Benson

Laugh’s Comedy Club

1/3-5: Colin Moulton

1/11-12: Brian Scolaro