J-school alumnus awarded Habey for contribution to the arts

Bryan Tucker, a 1993 Carolina journalism alumnus and comedy writer, stand-up comedian and sketch actor, was honored with the John L. Haber Award at the 15th Annual Carolina Arts Brunch on May 20 in New York.

The “Habey” Award — given in collaboration by the New York Carolina Club, the UNC Department of Dramatic Art, Carolina Performing Arts, the UNC General Alumni Association and PlayMakers Repertory Company — recognizes a Carolina alumnus or alumna for outstanding contribution to the arts.

Tucker, best known for his comedy writing, has penned sketches for television shows that include “The Chris Rock Show,” “Chappelle’s Show” and “Saturday Night Live.” In his seventh year at SNL, he currently serves as writing supervisor.

He is a five-time Emmy nominee, a Peabody Award recipient and winner of three Writers Guild Awards. His “Chappelle’s Show” sketch “The Race Draft” was selected No. 12 on Nerve and IFC.com’s list of “50 Greatest Sketches of All Time.”

Before television, Tucker performed as a stand-up comedian and as a player in the sketch/improv group Selected Hilarity.

Tucker and his wife, Rachael, a 1996 graduate of the Kenan-Flagler Business School, started the Tucker Family Scholarship given annually to help a student in the UNC Hussman School of Journalism and Media pursue a desired career after graduation without the financial burden of student loans.

He also has participated in the annual Carolina Comedy Festival sponsored by the Carolina Union Activities Board.

Past “Habey” Award winners include Lewis Black, Mary Pope Osborne, John Haber, Billy Crudup, Jane Comfort, William Ivey Long, Ben Cameron, Michael Cumpsty, Godfrey Cheshire, Brian Hargrove, Ruby Lerner, Michael Wilson and Nova Thomas.