Rell Battle

Considering his last name, it comes in some ways as no surprise that comedian Rell Battle would become the writer and producer behind "Jeff Ross Presents Roast Battle" (Comedy Central, 2016-). Born Terrell Battle in Washington D.C., Battle enrolled at the University of Maryland in 2000 to study theater, and soon began hosting a late night radio show on local station WJFK 106.7 FM-a gig that later led to a job at MTV Radio. After graduating in 2004, Battle moved to Los Angeles to pursue a career in stand-up comedy. He landed his first big break when he was featured as a "New Face" at Jamie Foxx's Laffapalooza comedy festival, and later landed a spot on the stand-up release "Chocolate Sundaes Comedy Show: Live on Sunset Strip!" (2010) alongside Kevin Hart and Katt Williams. In 2016, Battle brought his live show-a comedy roast presented in the style of a rap battle-to Comedy Central, executive producing the series while veteran roaster Jeff Ross took over hosting duties. Meanwhile, Battle took his skills as an on-screen comic to an even wider audience joining the cast of the sitcom "Superior Donuts" (CBS, 2017-), co-starring with Jermaine Fowler and Judd Hirsch as the lead character's sketchy best friend Sweatpants.