Sinbad (entertainer)

Sinbad
Sinbad on stage in July 2008
Pseudonym	Sinbad
Birth name	David Adkins
Born	(1956-11-10) November 10, 1956 (age 60) Benton Harbor, Michigan, U.S.
Medium	Stand-up, film, television
Nationality	American
Years active	1978—present
Genres	Observational comedy, Political satire, black comedy, Surreal humor, Character comedy
Subject(s)	Everyday life, self-deprecation, marriage, parenting, American politics, current events, family, friend, pop culture, race relations, racism, relationships, ageing
Spouse	Meredith Adkins (1985–1992; 2002–present)
Children	2
Notable works and roles	Walter Oaks in A Different World Himself in The Sinbad Show Myron Larabee in Jingle All the Way Kevin Franklin in Houseguest Sam Simms in First Kid Mr. Wheat in Good Burger Eddie in Slacker Cats

David Adkins (born November 10, 1956), better known by his stage name Sinbad, is an American stand-up comedian and actor. He became known in the 1990s from being featured on his own HBO specials, appearing on several television series, and starring in the films Necessary Roughness, Houseguest, First Kid, Jingle All the Way and Good Burger.

Sinbad was born in Benton Harbor, Michigan, the son of Louise and the Baptist Rev. Dr. Donald Beckley Adkins. He has five siblings: Donna, Dorothea, Mark, Michael, and Donald. Sinbad attended Benton Harbor High School, where he was in the marching band as well as the math club. He attended college from 1974 to 1978 at the University of Denver in Denver, Colorado, where he lettered two seasons for the basketball team.

Sinbad served in the United States Air Force as a boom operator aboard KC-135 Stratotankers. While assigned to the 384th Air Refueling Wing at McConnell Air Force Base in Wichita, Kansas, he would often travel downtown to perform stand-up comedy. He competed as a comedian/MC in the Air Force's Talent Contest in 1981. Sinbad was almost dismissed with a dishonorable discharge for various misbehaviors, including going AWOL.