Genre – Alternative Comedy
Hometown - Portsmouth, Virginia
Life & Career-
One of Entertainment Weekly’s 25 Funniest People in America, comedienne Wanda Sykes actually had quite a serious background - she was raised by her parents in Washington DC, a US Army Colonel and banker, and graduated with a degree in Marketing. She initially got a job at the National Security Agency, but the comedy bug had bit her - she joined the Coors Light Super Talent Showcase, her first ever public performance. After working local DC clubs, she took the plunge and moved to New York City, to pursue standup full-time.
It seemed she was destined for television - she became a writer for The Chris Rock Show in 1997, and was part of its Emmy Award-winning team, and making an occasional appearance on-screen. She was also on several movies and TV shows until Fox gave her her own show “Wanda at Large” but was cancelled after two season. She made more appearances on film (Evan Almighty, My Super Ex-Girlfriend, License to Wed, Monster-in-Law), as well as being a recurring character on The New Adventures of Old Christine. In 2007, she was nominated for her first HBO one hour special “Wanda Sykes: Sick and Tired”
2009 proved to be her year - she received her own late-night talk show on Fox called The Wanda Sykes Show (though only lasted for 1 season), and she also became the first African American and openly gay entertainer to host the White House Correspondent’s dinner. She also filmed her third HBO special Wanda Sykes: I'ma Be Me. Sykes continues to entertain audiences on the small screen, big screen and live venues.
Awards
- 1999 Emmy Award Outstanding Writing for a Variety, Music, or Comedy Special for “The Chris Rock Show”
- Entertainment Weekly's #25 Funniest People in America
- Nomination for a 2007 Primetime Emmy for Outstanding Variety, Music or Comedy Special for “Wanda Skyes: Sick and Tired”
- 2001 American Comedy Award for "Outstanding Female Stand Up Comic”
- 2002 Emmy Award Outstanding Studio Show – Weekly for “Inside the NFL”
- 2003 Comedy Central Commie Award for Funniest TV Actress
- 2004 Emmy Award Outstanding Studio Show – Weekly for “Inside the NFL”
- 2005 Emmy Award Outstanding Studio Show – Weekly for “Inside the NFL”
Albums
- Bigger and Blacker CD
- Instructions CD
- Best Uncensored Crack Call, Vol. I
- Wanda Sykes—Tongue Untied
- Sick and Tired
Hits
- 2006 The Adventures of Old Christine
- 2006 Over the Hedge
- 2007 Evan Almighty
- 2009 The Wanda Sykes Show
Books