Comic actor appeals to diverse audience

“I just want to make sure when you come to my show, everyone has a good time,” said Owen, who shares his biracial family’s experiences on stage. “I’m not coming from a place where I’m putting anybody down. Here’s the thing: we are different. It doesn’t mean we have to be scared of our differences or it has to be a huge deal. In the end it’s not that deep.”

Owen performs Nov. 23 at the Boisfeuillet Jones Atlanta Civic Center and is no stranger to Atlanta. Earlier this year he filmed a role in the locally produced cop-buddy comedy "Ride Along," which comes out in January, with Ice Cube and Kevin Hart. Last year, he was here for the Atlanta premiere of "Think Like A Man," the ensemble comedy based on Atlanta entertainer-author Steve Harvey's bestselling book.

The Ohio native finds his brand of upbeat humor plays well down here.

“In the South there’s less skeletons in the closet,” he said. “All they want is for you to be honest.”

In one of his best-known bits, Owen sends up the differences he has found between white churches, where he quips that folks keep an eye on their watches and bolt for IHOP as soon as possible, and black churches, where he says the timetable tends to be a bit different.

“Between church and the barbershop your whole weekend is shot,” he joked.

Owens credits include a role on Tyler Perry’s “House of Payne” and the the films “Daddy Day Care,” “Rebound” and “Little Man.” He recently finished work on “Think Like A Man Too,” which filmed in Las Vegas.

“That was crazy,” he said. “We’d have 3 a.m. shoots. Usually they tell extras not to ask for photos or autographs. In Vegas they don’t care.”

Even though he’s willing to laugh at situations (and most often, at himself), Owen said maintaining a tone of respect is key.

“I trust my gut to know what’s ok to talk about and what’s not,” he said.