Biography
As an EMMY- and WGA-nominated writer, actor, show runner, and moonlighting DJ, Diallo Riddle has proven to be one of the most creative and multi-faceted talents in the entertainment industry today. Riddle, with his creative partner Bashir Salahuddin, have created two critically-acclaimed series to television: HBO Max's "South Side" and AMC/IFC's Emmy Award-winning "Sherman's Showcase." Both shows instantly hit 100% on Rotten Tomatoes, a rare feat for two series premiering within one week of each other.
Created, written, and starring Riddle and Salahuddin, "South Side" follows a rent-to-own business on the south side of Chicago. Shot on location in Chicago's Englewood neighborhood, the series gives an authentic look into what life on the South Side is all about. Season two of "South Side" is now streaming on HBO Max.
In addition to "South Side," Riddle and Salahuddin also created, wrote, and starred in AMC/IFC's Emmy Award-winning scripted musical variety/sketch comedy "Sherman's Showcase." Executive Produced by John Legend, the stylish sketch show moves to its own groove and invites everyone to laugh along including A-list guest stars like Tiffany Haddish, Common, Quincy Jones, and Lil Rel, just to name a few.
On June 19, 2020, an hour-long "Sherman's Showcase: Black History Month Spectacular" aired, garnering multiple award nominations and wins including: Outstanding Writing in a Television Movie or Special at the 2021 NAACP Image Awards, Outstanding Costumes for a Variety, Nonfiction or Reality Program (WON) at the 2021 Primetime Emmy Awards, and Best Period and/or Character Makeup - Television Special, One Hour or More Live Program Series, or Movie for Television at the 2021 Hollywood Makeup Artist and Hair Stylist Guild Awards. "Sherman's Showcase" will return for season 2, in 2022.
While "South Side" and "Sherman's Showcase" keep Riddle and Salahuddin busy, they also recently closed a multi-year overall deal with Warner Bros TV, to create and produce television projects in a wide range of genres, from animation and superhero series, to comedies and dramas.
Riddle got his start in television as a writer on "Chocolate News" for Comedy Central. He went on to write and perform for "Late Night with Jimmy Fallon" from 2008-2012, arriving three months before the show premiered. Some of the stand-out segments he wrote included Slow Jam the News featuring Barack Obama, and the first three editions of A History of Rap with Jimmy Fallon and Justin Timberlake. Riddle's writing credits include working with Jordan Peele and Tracy Morgan on "The Last O.G.," Maya Rudolph on both "The Maya Rudolph Show" and "Maya and Marty," and with Drake for his hosting duties at the ESPYs and the NBA Awards. In 2015, Riddle and Salahuddin joined forces with Lorne Michaels on the HBO pilot "Brothers in Atlanta," which landed him on Variety's Top 10 Scribes to Watch list.
As an actor, Riddle is well known for playing the character "Stevie" on the Netflix comedy series "Marlon," opposite Marlon Wayans. Riddle has also appeared on several seasons of the HBO series "Silicon Valley," as well as the most recent season of "Curb Your Enthusiasm."
Born and raised in Atlanta, Riddle attended Harvard University, majoring in History. While in school, he picked up side gigs as a DJ, with it later becoming a second career. As a DJ, Riddle has played the MainStage at KABOO Music Festival and has DJ'd on Diplo's international radio show Diplo & Friends on BBC Radio 1. He has held residencies at the Dream Hotel's Highlight Room, Beauty & Essex, Skybar LA Mondrian, Soho House, and The Standard Hotels. He has also DJ'd for A-list events including the Golden Globes and the People's Choice Awards.
On the charity front, he is an active supporter of The Children's Institute, a nonprofit organization that provides services to children and families healing from the effects of family and community violence within Los Angeles' most challenged neighborhoods.
