Uploaded November 2022 | Updated September 2026, 2 weeks ago
Tommy Davidson’s childhood was anything but textbook. Discovered on the streets as a toddler by his adoptive white mother, he faced alienation from those who looked down on his interracial upbringing, and strife from a society clinging to racial barriers. But a breakout role on the now-iconic ‘90s sitcom “In Living Color” soon thrust him into fame—and into the throes of addiction.
Tune into the latest episode of Heart of the Matter as Tommy, now over two decades into recovery, speaks to Elizabeth Vargas about finding a sense of belonging in his unique upbringing, getting to “live two lives” with recovery and why he thinks substance use seems so prominent in the entertainment industry.
Related reading: After you listen, explore these resources from Partnership to End Addiction to learn more about the topics and themes discussed in this episode:
Navigating the Addiction Treatment System
drugfree.org/article/navigating-the-treatment-system/?utm_source=youtube&utm_medium=social&utm_campaign=podcast_season3
Seeking Help: What to Look For, What to Avoid
drugfree.org/article/seeking-help-what-to-look-for/?utm_source=youtube&utm_medium=social&utm_campaign=podcast_season3
Suggesting Treatment to a Loved One
drugfree.org/article/suggesting-treatment/?utm_source=youtube&utm_medium=social&utm_campaign=podcast_season3
Subscribe to Partnership to End Addiction: bit.ly/SubcribeToEndAddiction
About Partnership to End Addiction:
Partnership to End Addiction is a national nonprofit providing personalized support and resources for families impacted by addiction. With decades of experience in direct services, communications and coalition-building, we mobilize families, policymakers, researchers and health care professionals to more effectively address addiction systemically on a national scale. For more information, visit drugfree.org.
Connect with us: drugfree.org
Facebook: facebook.com/PartnershipToEndAddiction
Twitter: twitter.com/ToEndAddiction
Instagram: instagram.com/PartnershipToEndAddiction
LinkedIn: linkedin.com/company/PartnershipToEndAddiction
#LetsEndAddiction
Comedian and actor Tommy Davidson: On finding a second life in recovery | Partnership to End Addiction
Tommy Davidson’s childhood was anything but textbook. Discovered on the streets as a toddler by his adoptive white mother, he faced alienation from those who looked down on his interracial upbringing, and strife from a society clinging to racial barriers. But a breakout role on the now-iconic ‘90s sitcom “In Living Color” soon thrust him into fame—and into the throes of addiction.
Tune into the latest episode of Heart of the Matter as Tommy, now over two decades into recovery, speaks to Elizabeth Vargas about finding a sense of belonging in his unique upbringing, getting to “live two lives” with recovery and why he thinks substance use seems so prominent in the entertainment industry.
Related reading: After you listen, explore these resources from Partnership to End Addiction to learn more about the topics and themes discussed in this episode:
Navigating the Addiction Treatment System
drugfree.org/article/navigating-the-treatment-system/?utm_source=youtube&utm_medium=social&utm_campaign=podcast_season3
Seeking Help: What to Look For, What to Avoid
drugfree.org/article/seeking-help-what-to-look-for/?utm_source=youtube&utm_medium=social&utm_campaign=podcast_season3
Suggesting Treatment to a Loved One
drugfree.org/article/suggesting-treatment/?utm_source=youtube&utm_medium=social&utm_campaign=podcast_season3
Subscribe to Partnership to End Addiction: bit.ly/SubcribeToEndAddiction
About Partnership to End Addiction:
Partnership to End Addiction is a national nonprofit providing personalized support and resources for families impacted by addiction. With decades of experience in direct services, communications and coalition-building, we mobilize families, policymakers, researchers and health care professionals to more effectively address addiction systemically on a national scale. For more information, visit drugfree.org.
Connect with us: drugfree.org
Facebook: facebook.com/PartnershipToEndAddiction
Twitter: twitter.com/ToEndAddiction
Instagram: instagram.com/PartnershipToEndAddiction
LinkedIn: linkedin.com/company/PartnershipToEndAddiction
#LetsEndAddiction
Comedian and actor Tommy Davidson: On finding a second life in recovery | Partnership to End Addiction
