Biography
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Quick Facts
Biography
Big Daddy Graham (born Edward Gudonis May 29, 1953) is a comedian, writer, actor, recording artist, and sports radio personality on 94 WIP-FM in Philadelphia.
CAREER
STANDUP COMIC
Graham has been performing comedy for over 35-years at clubs, colleges, corporate and private parties, as well as banquets and fundraisers. Two Funny Philly Guys, Graham’s show with fellow comedian Joe Conklin, has played in front of sold-out houses and theaters such as the 1,000 seat Borgata Music Box in Atlantic City and The Broadway Theater in Pitman, New Jersey. He has also appeared on Showtime, MTV, A&E, and has been voted Philadelphia’s funniest comedian by Philly Magazine and other publications a total of 15 times.
Graham has supported 18 Rock and Roll Hall of Famers, including Ray Charles, Smokey Robinson, and B.B. King.
RADIO
For over two decades, Graham has been a full-time host on the number one sports talk radio station in America, 94 WIP. Graham was also a co-host on 1210 AM’s “The Sports Attack” with Scott Graham and Neil Hartman, where he interviewed the top names in sports.
In 2014, Graham began recording a podcast, “Big Daddy Graham’s Classic Rock Throwdown,” on Wildfire Radio. As of August 2017, he has recorded over 170 episodes, counting down songs as they relate to a particular, unique topic each week.
WRITER, PLAYWRIGHT, AND ACTOR
“Last Call,” the book Graham wrote about his father, has sold over 30,000 copies in the Philadelphia area alone. He adapted “Last Call” into an acclaimed one-man show, which he has performed to sold-out audiences at Society Hill Playhouse and the Media Theatre.
Graham wrote and produced a collection of pet peeves set to music known as “Oooh, I Hate That!” which at one point ran on over 100 stations nationwide.
Graham co-authored “The Great Book of Philadelphia Sports Lists” with Glen Macnow, which has sold over 40,000 copies.
Graham is currently writing the prestigious back page for South Jersey Magazine, 7 Mile Magazine, and the Sea Isle Times. BDG has also written for City Paper and CSNPhilly.com.
Graham has also performed as “Oscar” in three productions of “The Odd Couple,” and was a member of TROUP, a federally funded group of twelve actors who performed up and down the east coast at prisons, elderly homes, playgrounds and libraries for over two years. Graham also appeared in a production of “Androcles and the Lion” as the lion, and was singled out as the highlight of the show.
TELEVISION
Graham’s “Big Daddy’s Big List” has been a staple on Comcast SportsNet’s “Philly Sports Talk,” as well as many other television and radio shows. “List” ran every Tuesday night for over five years on Lou Tilley’s “Sports Connection.” BDG can also be seen once a week on Fox TV’s “Good Day Philadelphia.”
RECORDING ARTIST
In 1984, WMMR’s ground-breaking Morning Zoo picked up Graham’s satirical recording of his Catholic School upbringing, “Nuns!” His song “Let’s Call In Sick” has been heard on over 300 radio stations across the country and is still played today on Monday mornings. Graham’s songs have sold over 100,000 copies between three albums and four CDs.
PERSONAL life
Born in Southwest Philadelphia, Graham attended West Catholic High School. Graham now resides in Mullica Hill, New Jersey with his wife, Debbie, with whom he has two daughters, Keely and Ava and two grandkids, Jameson and Lucy.