Tim Reid (born December 19, 1944 in Norfolk, Virginia) is an African American actor, comedian and film director best known for his roles in prime time American television programs.
In 1988, Reid won an award from Viewers for Quality Television Awards as "Best Actor in a Quality Comedy Series" in Frank's Place. In 1988, the same role earned him an Image Award for "Outstanding Lead Actor in a Comedy Series."
Reid starred as DJ "Venus Flytrap" on the hit CBS sitcom WKRP in Cincinnati.
Reid also appeared in the movie version of Stephen King's IT. He played the role of Mike Hanlon, the librarian at the Derry, Maine Public Library.
Reid also made an appearance as Sgt. Ray Bennett of the Seacouver Police Department in three first-season episodes of Highlander: The Series.
He had a starring role in the series Sister Sister as Ray, for the entire six season run.
He also had a recurring role on That 70's Show as William Barnett.
He has directed various television programs as well the film Once Upon a Time...When We Were Colored based on a novel by Clifton L. Taulbert.
Tim Reid was part of the entertainment industry's first black and white stand-up comedy team, known as Tim & Tom. He and comedian Tom Dreesen formed the act in 1968 and performed together for the better part of four years. His book, Tim & Tom: An American Comedy in Black and White (written with Dreesen and Ron Rapoport) was published in September 2008 by the University of Chicago Press (ISBN 978-0-226-70900-0). Another book on Tim & Tom, written by Vince Sanders, was published in 2006.
He directed and adapted a children's TV show called Bobobobs which aired in the late '80s.
