Loni Love

Here is a full, SEO-optimized biography and profile of Loni Love — her life, career, impact, and memorable quotes.

Loni Love – Life, Career, and Comedic Voice

Loni Love (born July 12, 1971) is an American comedian, TV host, actress, author, and former electrical engineer. Learn about her journey from Detroit to daytime TV, her stand-up style, awards, and quotes.

Introduction

Loni Love (born July 12, 1971) is a multifaceted American entertainer best known as a comedian, television personality, actress, and author.

Her path is unconventional: before comedy she worked as an electrical engineer. Over time, she moved into stand-up, television hosting, and acting, and became a popular voice in daytime TV and comedy circuits.

She was one of the co-hosts of the syndicated daytime talk show The Real from its start in 2013 until its finale in 2022.

Early Life & Education

• Birth & upbringing: Loni Love was born in Detroit, Michigan, and grew up in the Brewster-Douglass Housing Projects.

• She attended Cass Technical High School, graduating in 1989.

• For college, she enrolled at Prairie View A&M University in Texas, where she earned a Bachelor’s degree in Electrical Engineering.

• In college she also minored in music and began experimenting with performance and comedy.

Before entering show business, she worked for companies such as Xerox (and others) as an engineer.

Transition to Comedy & Breakthrough

Loni’s comedic journey began while she balanced her engineering job and moonlighting in clubs.

In 2003, she competed on Star Search, finishing as a runner-up.

Over the years, she earned recognition:

• Named among the “Top 10 Comics to Watch” by Variety and Comedy Central in 2009.

• Released her first hour-long comedy special, America’s Sister, on Comedy Central in 2010.

Her comedic style often draws on her life experience: growing up in Detroit, working in engineering, observations about everyday people and social issues.

Television & Acting Career

The Real & Hosting

• Beginning in July 2013, Loni Love became one of the co-hosts of The Real, a daytime talk show.

• She remained a co-host until The Real ended in June 2022.

• During her time on The Real, the show won a Daytime Emmy Award for Outstanding Entertainment Talk Show Host (shared with her co-hosts).

She has also appeared on other talk shows, panel shows, and as a guest on many entertainment programs.

Acting & Film

Loni has had acting roles in various films and TV shows, including:

• Paul Blart: Mall Cop 2 (2015)

• Bad Asses on the Bayou (2015)

• Earlier appearances in films like Soul Plane (2004)

• Recurring and guest roles on television series such as Ned’s Declassified School Survival Guide (as a lunch lady), Chelsea Lately (panelist), and more.

She has also ventured into radio, podcasting, authorship, and public speaking.

Awards & Recognition

• She has received Emmy, NAACP Image, and Gracie awards.

• She is frequently recognized for her work in entertainment, both as a comedian and as a host.

• Her official biography describes her as a two-time Emmy, two-time NAACP Image & three-time Gracie Award–winning personality.

Personality, Style & Influence

Loni Love is celebrated for combining humor with candid, relatable reflections on life, especially from the perspective of Black women.

Her authenticity, warmth, and willingness to speak on real issues (inequality, personal struggles, identity) help her stand out.

Her engineering background also gives her a unique voice: she often jokes about her time in tech and the challenges of switching fields.

She has also spoken about representation, particularly in comedic spaces where female comics and women of color often face barriers.

Notable Quotes

Here are several quotes attributed to Loni Love:

• “One of my dreams was to change the way women of color were seen on television.”

• “With comedy, I try to steer toward, you know, talking about people that do crazy things, messed-up things. That’s what I like to talk about.”

• “I’ll see something, and I’ll go, ‘Oh, wow, that’s interesting,’ because really, comedy comes from the truth.”

• “Really, it hasn’t changed for female comics; it’s still hard for females to really enter the game.”

• “I’m fat, and I support fat celebrities, like Oprah.”

• “Being a female comic and getting a Comedy Central special is an honor because not a lot of women get that.”

Lessons & Takeaways from Her Journey

1. Courage to pivot
   Leaving a stable engineering career to pursue comedy was a risk — but her determination shows the value of following passion.

2. Authenticity resonates
   Making jokes grounded in one’s real experiences, vulnerabilities, and viewpoints helps create connection with audiences.

3. Representation matters
   Being visible as a woman of color in comedy and talk shows can open doors and change perceptions for others.

4. Hard work across domains
   From engineering to stand-up to hosting and acting, she’s shown versatility and adaptability.

5. Elevate through laughter
   Comedy can be a tool to address serious topics while also entertaining and healing.

Recent Events & Personal Life

• In August 2024, Loni Love announced the passing of her mother, Frances.

• She was in a relationship with James Welsh, as reported in profiles of her life.

Conclusion

Loni Love’s journey—from Detroit’s housing projects to engineering, and then to national prominence in comedy and television—shows resilience, humor, and the power of voice. Her versatility, authenticity, and presence continue to inspire many, especially those looking to break boundaries and tell their stories.