Tony Rock is an actor, comedian and younger brother to comedian Chris Rock. Rock first appeared on the UPN show All Of Us as well as Everybody Hates Chris where he was a recurring character. Rock hit the big screen too with such films as Hitch, Three Can Play That Game and Life Support. Just this past year, Rock starred in C’mon Man & The Redemption of a Dog, made a cameo appearance in Think Like a Man, co-headlined two comedy tours The Royal Comedy Tour and No Sleep Till Brooklyn Tour and played host to the newly revamped talent competition Apollo Live.
MyRock Foundation is a charity founded by Tony Rock to help build awareness and prevention of diabetes among African Americans. MyRock sponsors annual events in New York and California that include fundraising, awareness and prevention programs and family building activities. Live to LAUGH is an event created by the MyRock Foundation in which comedians, actors, athletes and musicians come together to help bring laughter to those in need. Live to LAUGH provides low income families struggling with terminal illnesses caused by diabetes 100 gift baskets.
Introduction By: Meg Ztini
Interview Conducted Via Email By: Giacinta Pace
Q: Why did you decided to start this foundation?
Tony: The foundation was started as a tribute to my Father (he passed due to health complications from Diabetes). He always told my brothers and I about responsibility to others. MyRock is an example of my responsibility to educate people about diabetes.
Q: What is your role with the organization?
Tony: My role with MyRock is to serve as spokesperson. I'm just like the people that I'm trying to educate in that I don't have all the information or facts about diabetes. We can learn together.
Q: How does being a comic inform your charity work?
Tony: MyRock is a venture outside of my stand up. Stand up has given me a platform to hopefully reach more people.
Q: What do you hope is the future of this charity?
Tony: My hopes for MyRock are very ambitious. I hope it becomes as popular as J.D.F in its impact on education and raising funds for research.
Q: Anything else?
Tony: For more information about MyRock foundation go to TonyRockComedy.com and don’t forget to tune-in every Thursday night to Apollo Live at 8pm on BET.