Cedric the Entertainer
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Cedric the Entertainer (born Cedric Antonio Kyles, April 24, 1964 in Jefferson City, Missouri) is an American actor and comedian. The self-assumed title "The Entertainer" comes from his early days as a comedian when he also sang and danced.
Cedric was voted "most popular" and "most humorous" by his high school classmates. He began his career doing stand-up comedy, winning several comedy contests and performing at various comedy clubs nationwide. In 1992, he made his first TV appearance on It's Showtime at the Apollo. Soon after, he appeared on HBO's Def Comedy Jam and BET's ComicView, which he would later host for the 1994-95 season. In 1994, Cedric also won the Richard Pryor Comic of the Year Award from BET.
In 1996, Cedric moved into acting, playing Steve Harvey's friend, Cedric Jackie Robinson, on his sitcom, The Steve Harvey Show. His acting career grew and he began appearing in movies, including Big Momma's House, Dr. Dolittle 2, Barbershop, Barbershop 2, Serving Sara, Johnson Family Vacation, Intolerable Cruelty, Man of the House, Lemony Snicket's A Series of Unfortunate Events, and Be Cool.
Cedric was the subject of controversy when his "Barbershop" character made unsavory remarks regarding Martin Luther King and Rosa Parks. These comments were spoken in character, were part of the script, and he has never apologized for them.
While his acting career grew, Cedric continued stand-up and travelled the country as one of the Kings of Comedy headliners, with Steve Harvey, D.L. Hughley and Bernie Mac. The act was later made into a film by Spike Lee called The Original Kings of Comedy.
Cedric briefly had his own sketch comedy show called Cedric the Entertainer Presents, but it never caught on and was cancelled after one season. The show had been renewed for a second season, but FOX cancelled it before the season began.
In the 2005 animated film Madagascar, Cedric voiced Maurice the lemur. In October 2005, Cedric joined the Champ Car auto racing series as a part owner.
Cedric will appear in the upcoming movie Charlotte's Web as the voice of Golly the gander.
His most recent HBO Comedy Special was entitled Cedric "The Entertainer" Taking You Higher Special. Two background dancers were Kamilah Barrett and Sandra Colton, both finalists in FOX's So You Think You Can Dance. Cedric has been accused by up-and-coming comedian Katt Williams of stealing four of his jokes in this special.[citation needed]
| Preceded by: Brad Garrett | Host of TV Land Awards 2005 | Succeeded by: Megan Mullally |
