Brian Copeland is an American actor, comedian, radio talk show host, playwright, and author. Born in Akron, Ohio, he spent his formative years in Hayward and San Leandro, California, attending Moreau Catholic High School and later studying political science at Holy Names University. He is currently based in the San Francisco Bay Area, a region where he has made a significant mark on both the entertainment and literary landscapes. Early in his career, Copeland gained experience performing alongside prominent artists such as Ray Charles, Natalie Cole, Aretha Franklin, and Ringo Starr, demonstrating an early aptitude for engaging audiences. Copeland’s career spans decades of radio and television work, punctuated by significant theatrical achievements. For 27 years, he hosted a radio program on KGO in San Francisco, and from 2010 until an unspecified date, he hosted '7 Live' on KGO-TV. He is perhaps best known for his play 'Not a Genuine Black Man,' which premiered at The Marsh in 2004. This one-man show achieved remarkable longevity, running for seven years and becoming the longest-running solo show in San Francisco history, culminating in its 1,000th performance. The play’s success led to a memoir based on it being released in 2006, and in 2009, Silicon Valley Reads selected this book for community discussion. Copeland has also written other plays including 'The Waiting Period' (2012), 'The Jewelry Box' (2013), 'The Scion' (2016) and 'Grandma & Me' (2022). Beyond his theatrical work, Copeland has ventured into crime fiction with the release of 'Outraged' in 2024, which was nominated for the McCavity award in 2025, followed by 'Shadows of Justice' in April 2025. He has also appeared in films such as 'The Bucket List' (2006) and 'Venom 2: Let There Be Carnage' (2020). Copeland’s contributions to San Francisco’s comedy scene earned him recognition as a Legend of San Francisco Comedy in 2015, and he is scheduled for induction into the Bay Area Radio Hall of Fame in 2025. Currently, he and The Marsh are raising funds to present 'The Waiting Period,' a critically acclaimed show about depression, weekly for a year free of charge. His play 'Not a Genuine Black Man' is being presented to high schools and community colleges in the Bay Area, described as “empathy education,” demonstrating a commitment to using his art for educational purposes. Copeland will perform 'THE WAITING PERIOD' at the Marsh SF on October 29, 2026.
