Eddie Francis

Eddie Francis' performance career has included radio, theater, stand-up comedy, motivational speaking, his 1997 appearance in "The Big Easy" and local television appearances. The New Orleans native is also a public speaking coach who earned his bachelor's degree from Loyola University New Orleans in Mass Communication with a minor in Theater. Eddie was born to late opera singer and music teacher Nelson Francis and late high school math teacher Juanita Francis. One of Nelson's pupils was late singer "Lady B.J." Crosby and he was the godfather of actress Francesca P. Roberts. Eddie's passion for performance developed during his teen years. As a student at St. Augustine High School, he joined the speech and debate team where he was an award-winning competitor on the district and state levels. As a college student, Eddie played the lead in the Loyola's production of Y. York's quirky "Rain. Some Fish. No Elephants.". He later when on to star in James Morehead's "Shades of Gray" with the University Theatre at Dillard. In 1996, Eddie broke into sketch comedy and he later went on to form and co-direct Loose Cannons: The Comedy Troupe which appeared in several New Orleans theater festivals. It was stand-up comedy and radio where Eddie earned recognition throughout the Crescent City. He became known to local hip hop and old school R&B radio listeners as "Fast Eddie" while building his stand-up resume on local stages which included opening for a then up-and-coming Kevin Hart. He later added motivational speaking to his resume, which earned him a place on New Orleans Magazine's "30 People to Watch" list in 2000. Eddie added the Press Club of New Orleans' "Best Radio Entertainment Feature" award in 2011 for his talk show interview with a Rwandan genocide survivor. Eddie now hosts the HBCU Lifestyle Podcast and well as his own while still booking speaking engagements.