The Many Roles of Sonny Carl Davis – Catch his Live, One-Man show this weekend at AFS Cinema
Sonny Carl Davis Live: First to Be Eaten: Ramblings of a Bit Player takes place at the AFS Cinema on Saturday, August 10 and Sunday, August 11. Purchase tickets.
You probably know him as the “diner guy” in those anti-Ted Cruz commercials, but we’re here to tell you that Sonny Carl Davis has a lot more work that you need to check out. We’ve compiled a short list of some of our favorite SCD roles throughout the years in anticipation of his live performance at the AFS Cinema, FIRST TO BE EATEN: RAMBLINGS OF A BIT PLAYER. Trust us when we tell you they’re worth watching.
THE WHOLE SHOOTIN’ MATCH
Davis plays one half of the friendship duo in this film about two guys trying to find success through a get-rich-quick scheme. It’s hard not to be charmed by the comedic rapport “lovefest” between Lou Perryman (the other half of the duo) and Sonny Carl Davis (The Austin Chronicle).
LAST NIGHT AT THE ALAMO
A follow-up to THE WHOLE SHOOTIN’ MATCH, this film follows a group of regulars coming together at their favorite bar, The Alamo, before it officially closes. An Austin cult classic.
FAST TIMES AT RIDGEMONT HIGH
The hilarious staple ’80s movie all about sex, drugs, and rock n’ roll, Davis is featured in one of his many “small roles in [a] big movie.” Although not a lead actor, Davis’ captivating personality still manages to bleed through.
BERNIE
The role that inspired the anti-Ted Cruz commercials, Davis plays the town gossip that’s not afraid to give you his opinions on things, like the state of Texas: “You got your Gulf Coast, and it’s the Carcinogenic Coast. And then you’ve got your Austin…with your hairy-legged women and your liberal fruitcakes,” (The Austin American Statesman).
EVIL BONG 
If the name doesn’t draw you in then maybe some Sonny Carl Davis will. A film about a group of stoners who order an old giant bong that proves to have bizarre magical powers, Davis sneaks into the feature as a delivery guy. And if you loved this one, then make sure to pick up the second one, EVIL BONG II, where Davis gets captured and “‘rolled up into a doobie with [his] little bald head sticking out of [a] CGI joint,’” (FW Weekly).
If you want to hear Davis talk about all of these roles and everything that happened in between, don’t miss his live stage monologue at the AFS Cinema on Saturday, August 10 and Sunday, August 11. In between laughs you’ll find yourself learning a thing or two about life, the movies, and everything else worth a damn.
