From Redford to Broadway: The Rise of Detroit’s Own William Delaney
By Mason & Angie Starr | 105.9 KISS-FM When Detroit shows up, we show out. And this week, comedian Mic Larry brought some serious talent into the KISS-FM studio —…
By Mason & Angie Starr | 105.9 KISS-FM
When Detroit shows up, we show out. And this week, comedian Mic Larry brought some serious talent into the KISS-FM studio — his longtime friend and fellow Detroiter, William Delaney.
Will Delaney isn’t just funny — he’s focused, grounded, and deeply passionate about his craft. Originally from the Redford High School family (Red Dogs, stand up!), Delaney took his dreams seriously early on. He attended Alabama State University, a proud HBCU, where he earned a degree in Theater Arts and laid the foundation for a lifelong career on stage.
“I’ve never wanted to do anything else in my life,” Delaney shared. “Acting was always it for me.”
That dream carried him from the halls of Alabama State all the way to New York City, where he’s been hustling and thriving for the past eight years. From Off-Broadway productions to features in The New York Times, Will has worked stages across Brooklyn and Harlem — including performing at the only Black-owned comedy club in NYC, Harlem Comedy Club.
He credits part of his early inspiration to actress Tommie Stewart (you may know her from A Time to Kill), who took time to speak with him one-on-one during a college tour. That moment stuck — and helped shape his decision to attend Alabama State and take the arts seriously.
But it wasn’t all theater and scripts. After some twists and turns — including a breakup that shook things up — Will discovered stand-up comedy.
“A friend told me, ‘You funny in the living room… you should hit the stage.’ I didn’t know if I could do it,” he admitted.
“So I drove outside of Detroit, hit an open mic, and just went for it. I was terrified.”
Turns out — he was a natural.
Delaney sharpened his skills at the legendary Mandy’s Comedy Club, a place so tough that even seasoned comics second-guessed stepping on stage.
“If you could make ‘em laugh at Mandy’s, you could make ‘em laugh anywhere,” Will said.
“New York comedy rooms are tough — but Mandy’s was a beast.”
From open mics to headlining shows, from theater to voiceover work, Will Delaney is carving out a unique space in entertainment. He’s a Detroit original, blending theater chops with raw stand-up energy — and always repping his roots.
🎤 “I’m just getting started,” he said. “And God’s been real good.”
