Thomas “TJ” Boyce III is the 14-year old co-owner of Boyce Ice Cream and contestant on Wayne Brady’s Comedy IQ who recently released his single “Hollywood”. Getting his start in theatre, TJ is a bubbly young man from Houston who believes he was cracking jokes in the womb.
What was it like working with Wayne Brady on Comedy IQ?
Everybody knows I love Wayne! He is such a down to earth kind of guy and he’s an amazing teacher. Wayne Brady’s Comedy IQ was a blessing- it was so much fun, it was a dream come true. As part of the show he introduced me to musical improv which only increased my love of music and inspired me to start making music. Being on a show like that was one of my big dreams. I love comedy and I got to be on a comedy TV show where I got to compete and be hand taught by Wayne Brady and his celebrity friends- it was dope!
Who are some of the people who have influenced your diverse career in entertainment?
When I think about my comedic influences, I’d have to say Dave Chapelle. He is fearless and inspires me to be fearless with my comedy. I may be a teen comic but I can get edgy and Dave Chapelle helped inspire that. Next is Eddie Murphy because he is such a comedic superstar. Like a real life comic rockstar- he did stand up, he acted in major movies, and he even had songs out. Then, there is Kevin Hart. Now, Kevin is breaking records-he’s the comedian who sold out a football field. Musically of course there is Jay-Z. Jay-Z is amazing and super inspirational.
Talk comedy, music and business, if you could design your ideal collaborations who would you work with?
Definitely picking Jay-Z for business. Jay-Z is a billionaire.I would love to do a free tour with Chris Rock, Kevin Hart and Dave Chappelle. I would love to do an action movie with the rock and a drama with Samuel L. Jackson. I’ve also wanted to star in a live action version of the movie “UP”. For music I would love to work with Kendrick Lamar, J. Cole, and Drake.
A little birdie told me that you have a thing for inspirational quotes and that one of your favorites is the infamous Malcolm X quote “If you have no critics, you’ll likely have no success.” How has that quote played a role in your life and career?
To do Comedy IQ, I had to leave my school. At the time I was attending the Houston School of the Performing and Visual Arts and when I left there was a lot of negative feedback saying that I took the school for granted. Then there were the people who doubted that I would ever get on TV and well fast forward and here we are today…so yeah that quote really resonates with me.
You touched on your own experience with people not believing you would ever be on TV. What advice do you have for one of your peers who thinks they want to pursue acting or comedy as a career?
Time. Everything takes time. I was auditioning for movies and TV for two years before I got called back for Wayne Brady’s Comedy IQ. I have gone all the way through the process: got the call back, met the producers and then everything fell through. You have to build thick skin and be ok with that. It is also important to be teachable, one of my acting mentors has a quote that I love “You may act better than me you may look better than me you sing better than me, dance better than me, but if I let you out work me that is my fault.” Lastly and most importantly, you must master individuality.
I know that the shelter in place orders have made business a little different for you. How have you and your siblings pivoted your business strategy due to Covid-19?
There have definitely been changes during this time, but we’re focusing on what we can control. This month we gave away ice cream to the hospital workers, who are the real super heroes if you ask me.
Work life balance is a challenge for thirty-somethings. How do you balance entrepreneurship, being fourteen, school and having friends?
I am fourteen but I love money. And having the ice cream truck was a great way to get it. My parents have ingrained it into my soul to never work for someone else. I took that lesson to heart. I want to be my own boss. My friends didn’t get it at first. This ice cream truck, why? Some people are wired and designed to be employees, but I think it’s important for the youth, especially young black people, to learn entrepreneurship. No, you don’t always make a ton of money and sometimes you lose as an owner but it’s important to stick with it.
Priya Williams
