Lil Rel Howery sat down with Angie Martinez for a candid conversation about his journey in comedy, his upcoming film Dogman, and the industry recognition he’s still chasing.
On Being Left Out of the Comedy GOAT Lists
Despite his success, Lil Rel has felt overlooked in conversations about the greatest comedians. Reflecting on a piece of artwork featuring legendary comics—one he wasn’t included in—he admitted it stung. "What is going on? I did ComicView at 21… I did every stand-up joke…" he said, noting that while he’s achieved milestones like HBO specials, he hasn’t always been acknowledged among the best. "As all this was happening, I was a little afraid of the greatness… maybe it was my own self-esteem."
Meeting Angie Martinez at the Oscars: Lil Rel recalled his first time meeting Angie at the Oscars, describing the moment as “surreal” and saying he was quiet and withdrawn, just taking it all in. "I’m so grateful. I pinch myself," he said about being in the room with Hollywood’s elite.
The Power of Therapy & Staying in Character: The comedian opened up about therapy and how it’s helped him grow personally and professionally. "I go to therapy, and I don’t even know what I’m gonna talk about sometimes… but it changed a lot. Made me more accountable for things."
Rel also spoke about his immersive acting process, admitting that staying in character can be intense. "A couple of times, it was hard to get out of character. A movie, it took me about a month to shake off." He believes fully embracing a role allows for a more honest and authentic performance.
On SZA, Keke Palmer & Working With Issa Rae: Discussing his role in SZA and Keke Palmer’s project ‘One of Them Days’, Lil Rel credited Issa Rae for bringing him in. "If Issa Rae calls me for anything, I do it. I love Issa," he said, emphasizing how much he enjoys working with her.He also celebrated how well the film is doing in theaters, saying it’s proof that people are returning to the movies, something he hopes to see more of in the industry.
No More Auditions – ‘Get Out’ Was His Last One: Lil Rel revealed that after his breakout role in Jordan Peele’s ‘Get Out’, he hasn’t had to audition since. "‘Get Out’ was my last audition," he said, highlighting how the film cemented his place in Hollywood.
His Love for Eddie Murphy & Dream Conversation: A self-proclaimed comedy nerd, Rel named Eddie Murphy as his biggest inspiration. "Eddie is my motivation. I just wanna have a conversation with him," he said, adding that Tiffany Haddish told him Eddie knows who he is. "I just wanna ask him how Harlem Nights felt. I have some very specific questions for him."
His Future as a Director & Comedy Mogul: Beyond acting, directing and producing are Rel’s ultimate goals. "I wanna be the Lucas and Spielberg of comedy… the mogul of comedy," he said, emphasizing his ambition to take on producing, directing, and acting in the genre.
‘Dogman’ Hits Theaters January 31st: Rel is hyped for his latest project, Dogman, hitting theaters this Friday, January 31st. "I’m so excited, I’m a big fan of the books," he shared, teasing an action-packed film that fans won’t want to miss.
With Dogman hitting theaters this Friday, January 31st, Lil Rel is proving he’s not just a comedian—he’s a powerhouse shaping the future of comedy and film.