DJ Tony: Ellen DeGeneres' Super Sidekick

Even though it's been a few weeks since Halloween, I don't think we should stop talking about it quite yet. In the last post I briefly discussed DJ Tony Okungbowa and the importance of the music he plays on The Ellen DeGeneres Show. But I think it's important to note, that DJ Tony is more than a disc jokey, he is a very vital part of Ellen's show.

This brings us back to Halloween.

Ellen's Halloween show is always a big hit, and this year she decided to be Sophia Grace, the infamous 8-year-old that blessed Ellen's stage with her great voice (by singing "Super Bass" by Nikki Minaj) and unwavering sass. And of course she had a writer be her "hype girl" aka Sophia's cousin Rosie (who doesn't speak the entire episode, just air-drums when Ellen starts singing). What is missing from her costume you ask? But of course, Nikki Minaj herself. That's when we are fortunate enough to see with Tony wearing very high heels and a blueish/blonde wig.

DJ Tony wears his costume proud the entire episode--dancing when necessary and laughing all the while. Ellen even surprised him with an appropriate scare.

 The rest of the episode is filled with scared audience members, a frightened mermaid, Neil Patrick Harris, and Betheny Frankel's last minute Halloween tips. But for our purpose, let's focus on one of our favorite sidekicks.

Tony is truly willing to do anything to support the show, even if that means getting laughed at. He's a great sport.

Ok great, he can dress in a woman's outfit, he's a great dancer, and he laughs at all of Ellen's jokes....but who is Tony really? He first started DJing with celebrity photographer Andrew McPhearson. He played music while on set of McPhearson's photo shoots. He met Ellen DeGeneres in 2003 during a "TV Guide" photo shoot. She told him a joke about a dream she had about 50 Cent and offered him a job. That year he started DJing for her. He's also an actor, and in 2006 he took some time away from the show to focus on that (but came back full time in 2008). Tony has guest-starred in The X-Files, NYPD Blue, Arli$$, and Law & Order: SVU. He also has released a compilation album of all his favorite songs, "Hollywood Sessions."

I like to hear more from sidekicks, I like when they have their own personality, and I haven't seen Tony's developed as much as some others. So moving forward, I'd like to hear more from Tony, get to know him a bit more. For now, I'll admire he's sweet moves and ability to pull off Nikki Minaj garb. But what do you love most about DJ Tony?