Sinbad

<p>David Adkins was born on November 10, 1956, in Benton Harbor, Michigan. A talented basketball player who played for the University of Denver, he served in the United States Air Force as a boom operator aboard KC-135 refueling aircraft before pursuing comedy. Adopting the stage name 'Sinbad' after the legendary Arabian Nights adventurer, he built a devoted following through multiple appearances on <em>Star Search</em> in the mid-1980s.</p><p>Sinbad's television breakthrough arrived in 1988 when he was cast as Coach Walter Oakes on the hit NBC sitcom <em>A Different World</em>. Renowned for his clean comedy—delivering hilarious observational stand-up without profanity—Sinbad headlined a series of smash HBO comedy specials, including <em>Brain Damaged</em> (1991) and <em>Afros and Bellbottoms</em> (1993).</p><p>Throughout the 1990s, Sinbad became a ubiquitous Hollywood family comedy star, headlining films such as <em>Houseguest</em> (1995) alongside Phil Hartman, <em>First Kid</em> (1996), and the holiday comedy classic <em>Jingle All the Way</em> (1996) opposite Arnold Schwarzenegger. Surviving a severe ischemic stroke in 2020, Sinbad continues to inspire through his miraculous physical recovery and enduring warmth.</p>