Keedar Whittle: Hell Date Star Loves Life On One Tree Hill

[Sarah.S]

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Funnyman Keedar Whittle has gone from duping love-starved victims on BET's hilarious prank show 'Hell Date' to flexing his acting muscles on CW's drama 'One Tree Hill.'
The Atlanta native is happy that his 'One Tree Hill' character Nino Jones will be returning when show comes back for its seventh season in the fall.
"My character will be back next season but if I can write my own storyline, I would fall in love with one of the main characters or become Nathan's best friend and make sure I'm on every Monday," Whittle said. ''One Tree Hill' is an extreme blessing. I'm completely thankful for the opportunity. It's great just being apart of a major production and a well-oiled machine."
Making the transition from a hit urban reality series to a teen drama with a mostly white audience has expanded the comic's profile.
"It's like going from NCAA to NBA," the actor said of the transition. "Now I will never bash my roots and where I come from but we all know there is a difference in production, perks and pay-residuals! But I will say 'Hell Date' prepared me for auditions and acting by giving me the confidence needed to get the work done."
In between acting gigs, Whittle who has also appeared on 'The Sarah Silverman Program,' hits the road performing comedy shows.
"I do comedy but I'm not a comic. Those dudes go hard for comedy like I go hard for acting. For example, I won't drive an hour away to possibly get on stage to do comedy, but I will drive an hour away to audition for a possible role. But I love the stage. I started in New York and worked really hard to be the guy that goes out on the road. I still, to this day, travel with Finesse Mitchell, who gave me most of my first road gigs. Comedy is hard and getting the silent treatment on stage will make you get funny real quick," offered Whittle, who created and toured in the 'Funny as Hell Comedy Tour' last year.
For the Norfolk State University graduate, working on 'One Tree Hill' is no laughing matter and Whittle definitely wants the CW to understand his impact.
After his final appearance for season six airs this week, the actor wants viewers to go to CWTV.com and blog about his character on their message board.
"We can really make an impression with the producers," he closed.