He's a stand-up comic, a television star and a rapper -- and when he's not being all of those things, you can see Donald Glover breakin' it down on the big screen, too. In honor of his latest role in the creepy back-from-the-dead thriller The Lazarus Effect, we're spittin' out ten reasons why we love that adorable Childish Gambino.
1. His Early Days
Long before he became a household name, Donald Glover was a member of the internet comedy team Derrick Comedy, recording and uploading popular comedy sketches to YouTube -- most of which were shot in their New York University dorm rooms. Here's one called Self Defense, from 2006. You can view more of Derrick Comedy's NSFW videos on YouTube.
2. His Stand-up
Sure, we love his movies and TV appearances, but some of Donald Glover's best stuff is hidden inside his hilarious stand-up specials. Like this bit about listening to his own music.
3. His Movies
We first stumbled upon Donald Glover in the movie Mystery Team, the first feature-length film he created with the members of Derrick Comedy. Here's a great Glover moment from the film, which tracked three Encyclopedia Brown-style kid detectives attempting to solve a very adult murder mystery. Much hilarity ensues.
Other Glover films we love include The Muppets and The To Do List. Good news for those who like seeing him on the big screen is that in addition to The Lazarus Effect, Glover has three more movies in the works, including the much-anticipated Magic Mike XXL and Ridley Scott's The Martian.
4. His TV Show
One word: Community.
Though Glover was an internet sensation long before he appeared on television, it was his role in the show Community that truly turned him into a breakout star. Some of his greatest moments on Community take advantage of his musical background, like the above Jehovah Witness rap alongside co-star Danny Pudi.
5. His Music
Glover plucked his stage name, Childish Gambino, out of a Wu-Tang Clan name generator, releasing his first album as a solo artist in 2008. Several singles followed, with Glover releasing his second studio album, "Because the Internet," in 2013. It went on to receive two Grammy nominations for Best Rap Album and Best Rap Performance. When it came time to shoot his first ever music video for the song "Freaks and Geeks," Glover proved he's never too far from his roots, reteaming with Derrick Comedy collaborator Dan Eckman, who directed the video. Check it out below.
6. His Spider-Man Love
Donald Glover has always been a lifelong fan of Spider-Man, and when director Marc Webb was casting his Amazing Spider-Man reboot in 2010, there were numerous fan petitions going around asking for Sony to hire Glover to play him. While it never happened, Marvel was listening, and in 2011 -- when they decided to have the character Miles Morales take over as Spidey in the comics -- writer Brian Michael Bendis based Morales on Glover. And to bring it full circle, Glover was asked to voice Morales on the animated show Ultimate Spider-Man: Web Warriors. Here's a clip.
On the character, Glover told USA Today, "That's the great part about the Spider-Man costume: He can be anybody. Spider-Man could be a girl. Spider-Man could be an old man. You don't know. So I just tried to be as me as possible, because you're always just going to bring it back to yourself when you watch the show."
7. His Appearance on Sesame Street
Of course you haven't truly made it until you appear on Sesame Street. In 2013, Glover traded his hard-rap persona for a lighter-rap persona, becoming the fictional rapper LMNOP for an episode of Sesame Street.
8. His Smile
C'mon, how do you not love this?
