Cedric the Entertainer

Cedric was born on April 24, 1964, in Jefferson City, Missouri, the son of Rosetta (née Boyce), a schoolteacher, and Kittrell Kyles, an employee of The Missouri Pacific Railroad.{{Cite web|url=https://www.thehistorymakers.org/biography/cedric-entertainer|title=Cedric The Entertainer's Biography}}{{cite web|url=http://www.filmreference.com/film/62/Cedric-The-Entertainer.html |title=Cedric The Entertainer Biography (1964?-) |publisher=Filmreference.com |access-date=June 13, 2014}} He has a younger sister, Sharita Kyles Wilson, a communications professor at Pepperdine University in Malibu, California.[https://books.google.com/books?id=LrUDAAAAMBAJ&dq=%22cedric+the+entertainer%22+and+%22sharita+kyles%22&pg=PA58 "Cedric 'The Entertainer' Scores in Commercials, TV and Film with Down-Home Comedy"], Jet, March 12, 2001. Accessed on December 29, 2009.{{cite web|url=http://www.semissourian.com/story/1285451.html |title=Local News: Cedric "The Entertainer," to be pararde marshal (10/19/07) |publisher=seMissourian.com |date=October 19, 2007 |access-date=June 13, 2014 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141110041658/http://www.semissourian.com/story/1285451.html |archive-date=November 10, 2014 }}

Cedric was raised in Caruthersville, Missouri, but after junior high school he moved to Berkeley, Missouri, a northern suburb of St. Louis. He is a graduate of Berkeley High School.{{cite web|url=https://www.imdb.com/name/nm0147825/bio|title=Cedric the Entertainer: Biography|publisher=IMDb.com|access-date=June 14, 2014}}{{unreliable source?|date=August 2022}}

Cedric majored in mass communication at Southeast Missouri State University{{Cite book|last=King|first=Lynnea Chapman|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=W6HYBAAAQBAJ&q=Cedric+Antonio+Kyles&pg=PR7|title=The Coen Brothers Encyclopedia|date=October 10, 2014|publisher=Rowman & Littlefield|isbn=978-0-8108-8577-6|pages=37|language=en|quote=The New York Times characterized Cedric's performance [in Intolerable Cruelty (2003)]] as one in which he "delivers the crassest lines with what can only be called hammy understatement; his years of stand-up have taught him that less is all."}} and worked as a State Farm insurance claims adjuster and substitute high school teacher before becoming a full-time comedian. He is a member of Kappa Alpha Psi.

Cedric's stage name came about when he felt that his real name, Cedric Kyles, sounded too formal. Inspired by an entertainer named Kodak, he came up with the name "Cheerio", but received a cease and desist letter from General Mills over their cereal Cheerios. He settled on his stage name when someone introduced him as "an entertainer, Cedric the entertainer" and the name stuck.{{cite AV media |url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=73HVdMeLHio |title=How Did Cedric The Entertainer Get His Name? |date=January 29, 2023 |publisher=The Byron Scott Podcast |access-date=August 18, 2023 |website=YouTube}}

In 1995, Cedric moved into acting, auditioning for and receiving his first-ever role as The Cowardly Lion in the 1995 Apollo Theater Revival of The Wiz. He expanded his career by playing Steve Harvey's friend Cedric Jackie Robinson on The Steve Harvey Show.{{cite web|url=https://tvone.tv/77439/its-a-mini-steve-harvey-show-reunion-terri-j-vaughn-cedric-the-entertainer-reunited/|title=It's A Mini Steve Harvey Show Reunion: Terri J. Vaughn & Cedric The Entertainer Reunited|last=Franklin|first=Krystal|date=July 20, 2018|website=tvone.tv|access-date=August 20, 2023}}{{cite web|url=https://www.foxsports.com/watch/play-65b3b6a110009d7|title=Steve Harvey almost passed on Steve Harvey Show if Cedric The Entertainer wasn't included|website=Fox Sports|access-date=August 20, 2023}}

He began appearing in films, including Barbershop,{{cite web|url=https://afrotech.com/cedric-the-entertainer-net-worth|title=Despite Earning $150k For Barbershop; Cedric The Entertainer Admits it Bolstered His Career|last=Rodgers|first=Josh|date=February 23, 2023|website=AfroTech.com|access-date=August 20, 2023}} Barbershop 2: Back in Business,{{cite web|url=https://www.today.com/popculture/cedrics-back-steal-show-barbershop-2-wbna4151117|title=Cedric's back to steal the show in Barbershop 2|date=February 4, 2004|website=Today.com|access-date=August 20, 2023}} Ride, Serving Sara, Johnson Family Vacation, Code Name: The Cleaner, Intolerable Cruelty, Man of the House, Lemony Snicket's A Series of Unfortunate Events, Madagascar, Madagascar: Escape 2 Africa, Madagascar 3: Europe's Most Wanted and Be Cool. He was the subject of controversy when his Barbershop character made unpopular remarks about Martin Luther King Jr. and Rosa Parks.{{cite web |last1= Munoz |first1=Lorenza |last2=Braxton |first2=Greg |title=Black Leaders Angered by Scene Say 'Barbershop' Needs a Trim |url= https://articles.latimes.com/2002/sep/25/local/me-barber25/2 |website=Los Angeles Times |access-date=October 15, 2018 |archive-date=January 12, 2016 |archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20160112000651/http://articles.latimes.com/2002/sep/25/local/me-barber25/2 }} These comments were spoken in character, as part of the script; he has never apologized for them. In Madagascar, he voiced Maurice the aye aye. In October 2005, he joined the Champ Car auto racing series as a part owner.{{Cite web|url=https://www.sbsun.com/2005/10/07/champ-car-adds-some-star-power/|title=Champ Car adds some star power|date=October 7, 2005| website= sbsun.com|access-date=July 10, 2021}} He appeared in the film Charlotte's Web as the voice of Golly the gander.{{cite web|url=https://www.hollywood.com/general/spinning-charlottes-web-with-cedric-the-entertainer-57172613-57172613|title=Spinning Charlotte's Web with Cedric The Entertainer|date=December 16, 2006|website=Hollywood.com|access-date=August 20, 2023}}

While his acting career grew, Cedric continued to perform stand-up comedy and traveled 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 Spike Lee film, The Original Kings of Comedy.{{cite web|url=https://news.yahoo.com/cedric-entertainer-talks-original-kings-144306598.html|title=SuperFest: Cedric the Entertainer talks The Original Kings of Comedy; being a Triple Threat|date=May 27, 2023|website=news.yahoo.com|access-date=August 20, 2023}} Cedric had his own sketch comedy show, Cedric the Entertainer Presents, but after being renewed for a second season, it was canceled by Fox before the season began. He took time to write a book, Grown-A$$ Man.{{Citation|last = Christian|first = M. A.|title = Cedric the Entertainer shares views on his rising stardom, being black in Hollywood, and what he learned from Barbershop|journal = Jet|volume = 103|issue = 18|pages = 58–62|date = 2003}} He appeared in the 2003 video game Tiger Woods PGA Tour 2004. A more recent HBO Comedy Special was Cedric The Entertainer: Taking You Higher.{{efn|Two of the background dancers from the special were Kamilah Barrett and Sandra Colton, who were finalists in Fox's So You Think You Can Dance.}} He recorded comedic interludes on two Nelly albums, Country Grammar (2000) and Nellyville (2002) as well as on Jay-Z's The Black Album (2003).{{cite web|url=https://www.vibe.com/news/entertainment/cedric-the-entertainer-jay-z-threats-the-black-album-1234665420/|title=Cedric The Entertainer Reveals Story Behind Threats Skit On Jay-Z's The Black Album|last=Brown|first=Preezy|date=June 1, 2022|website=Vibe.com|access-date=August 21, 2023}}

In the 2007 comedy film Code Name: The Cleaner, Cedric plays Jake, a janitor with amnesia who may be a secret undercover government agent involved in an illegal arms conspiracy. He starred in the 2008 films Welcome Home Roscoe Jenkins and Street Kings.{{cite web|url=https://www.cleveland.com/movies/2008/02/welcome_home_roscoe_jenkins_st.html|title=Welcome Home Roscoe Jenkins starts as a snoozer but ends on refreshing note|last=Washington|first=Julie|date=February 8, 2008|website=Cleveland.com|access-date=August 20, 2023}}{{cite web|url=https://lasentinel.net/cedric-still-an-entertainer-in-street-kings.html|title=Cedric Still an Entertainer in Street Kings|last=Fuller|first=Alice|date=April 18, 2008|website=Los Angeles Sentinel|access-date=August 20, 2023}}

Cedric appeared as the lead comedian at the White House Correspondents Dinner, but jokingly remarked that he was unprepared because he thought that he would follow a humorous speech by President George W. Bush. He instead followed First Lady Laura Bush, who called him "hilarious" and "probably the funniest person" she had ever met.{{Cite web|url=https://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=4627081| title=Cedric the Entertainer at the White House| date=May 2, 2005| website= NPR.org|publisher=NPR|access-date=July 10, 2021}}{{cite magazine|url=https://ew.com/gallery/white-house-correspondents-dinner-12-funniest-moments/|title=White House Correspondents Dinner: All-time best laughs|last=Busis|first=Hilary|date=April 25, 2015|magazine=Entertainment Weekly|access-date=August 21, 2023}}

Cedric has won many awards, beginning with $500 in the Johnny Walker National Comedy Contest in 1990 and coming in first in the Miller Genuine Draft Comedy Contest in 1993.{{cite journal|last = Stanton|first = L.|title = Cedric the Entertainer|journal = Current Biography|volume = 65|issue = 2|pages = 3–6|date = 2004}} BET named him Richard Pryor Comic of the Year.{{cite book|title = Who's Who in America|publisher = Marquis Who's Who LLC, 2016|edition = 70th|date = 2016|location = New Providence, New Jersey}} He has also won four NAACP Awards.{{cite journal|title = Cedric the Entertainer|journal = Contemporary Black Biography|volume = 60|pages = 35–37|date = 2007}}

He was inducted to the St. Louis Walk of Fame on June 7, 2008. His star is at 6166 Delmar.{{cite web| url= http://www.stlouiswalkoffame.org/inductees/?view=achievement|title=St. Louis Walk of Fame Inductees| publisher= St. Louis Walk of Fame | website= stlouiswalkoffame.org| access-date= April 25, 2013| archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20121031162946/http://www.stlouiswalkoffame.org/inductees/?view=achievement| archive-date=October 31, 2012}}

He was the special guest host for WWE Raw on September 21, 2009, in Little Rock, Arkansas. During the show, he participated in a wrestling match, defeating Chavo Guerrero Jr. by pinfall. The match also featured Santino Marella as a guest referee. Cedric also got help from an unknown wrestler dubbed The Sledge Hammer (played by Imani Lee) and Hornswoggle.{{cite web | url= http://www.gerweck.net/news/1253581581.shtml | title = WWE RAW Results - 21/09/2009 | first = Adam | last = Kelly| archiveurl= https://web.archive.org/web/20090925140808/http://www.gerweck.net/news/1253581581.shtml|archivedate=September 25, 2009}}{{cite web| url= http://www.wrestlescoop.com/2009/10/01/the-masked-man-from-cedric%E2%80%99s-raw-revealed-wrestlemania-in-atlanta/ |title=The Masked Man from Cedric's RAW Revealed, WrestleMania in Atlanta? |publisher= | website= Wrestlescoop.com |access-date=June 13, 2014}}

In March 2010, Cedric made his directorial debut with Dance Fu, produced and funded independently by his company Bird and a Bear Entertainment with producer Eric C. Rhone. It starred comedian Kel Mitchell. Cedric made a cameo appearance in the film as a homicide detective. It was released straight to DVD on October 4, 2011.{{Cite web|url=https://grantland.com/hollywood-prospectus/we-found-it-on-netflix-instant-dance-fu/|title=We found it on Netflix Instant: Dance Fu| last= Silvestri| first=Max|date=August 23, 2012| website= Grantland.com|access-date= July 10, 2021}}

Cedric appeared in the Broadway revival of David Mamet's play American Buffalo.{{cite web |url= http://www.playbill.com/news/article/120558.html |title=Revival of Mamet's American Buffalo Finds a Broadway Home |publisher= | website = Playbill.com |date=August 19, 2008 |access-date=November 1, 2015 |archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20090512182834/http://www.playbill.com/news/article/120558.html |archive-date=May 12, 2009 }}

In a June 21, 2011, interview, Cedric said his latest reality game show, It's Worth What?, would air on NBC on July 12, 2011,{{cite news | url= http://www.tennessean.com/article/20110622/ENTERTAINMENT/306220055/Cedric-Entertainer-prepares-Nashville-NBC | title= Cedric the Entertainer prepares for Nashville and NBC| work= The Tennessean | date = June 22, 2011| accessdate = July 5, 2011}} but the start date was delayed by one week to July 19. Starting in 2012, he played the main character in the TV Land original series The Soul Man, featuring Niecy Nash. The series ran for five seasons and ended in 2016.{{cite web|last=Andreeva |first=Nellie |url= https://deadline.com/2015/07/the-soul-man-renewed-final-season-5-tv-land-1201486316/ |title='The Soul Man' Picked Up For Fifth & Final Season By TV Land |website=Deadline Hollywood |date=July 28, 2015 |access-date= February 16, 2019}}

Cedric was the host of the American TV game show Who Wants to Be a Millionaire, beginning with its 12th season in national syndication, which premiered on September 2, 2013.{{cite web|title=Cedric 'The Entertainer' to host 'Who Wants to be a Millionaire' |url=http://abclocal.go.com/wabc/story?section=news/entertainment&id=9034473 |archive-url= https://archive.today/20130411005653/http://abclocal.go.com/wabc/story?section=news/entertainment&id=9034473 |archive-date=April 11, 2013 |publisher= WABC TV |access-date= March 20, 2013 }} On April 30, 2014, Cedric announced that he was leaving the game show after the 2013–14 season to focus on other projects.{{cite web| url= https://www.usatoday.com/story/life/tv/2014/04/30/cedric-the-entertainer-to-leave-as-host-of-who-wants-to-be-a-millionaire/8533797/ |title=Cedric the Entertainer to leave 'Millionaire' |publisher= | work= USA Today |date= April 30, 2014 |access-date=June 13, 2014}} Terry Crews took over as host on September 8, 2014.{{cite web|url=https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/live-feed/terry-crews-named-new-who-702015 |title=Terry Crews Named New 'Who Wants to Be a Millionaire' Host |publisher= | work = The Hollywood Reporter |date=May 7, 2014 |access-date=December 19, 2014}}

Starting in 2018, Cedric played the character of Calvin Butler in the television sitcom The Neighborhood.{{cite web|url=https://www.nytimes.com/2018/09/28/arts/television/cedric-the-entertainer-max-greenfield-the-neighborhood.html|title=Cedric the Entertainer and Max Greenfield on Finding Laughs in Gentrification|last=Hunt Wilson|first=Stacy|date=September 28, 2018|website=The New York Times|access-date=August 20, 2023}}{{cite web|url=https://www.latimes.com/entertainment-arts/tv/story/2020-11-16/cedric-the-entertainer-the-neighborhood-cbs-the-opening-act|title=There's an enemy out there; say's Cedric the Entertainer, And he's ready to fight back|last=Braxton|first=Greg|date=November 16, 2020|website=Los Angeles Times|access-date=August 20, 2023}}{{cite web|url=https://apnews.com/article/cedric-entertainer-neighborhood-comedy-088d15ba7c9db2529a1202e207421f68|title=Cedric the Entertainer enjoying life in his Neighborhood|last=Hamilton|first=Gary|date=April 14, 2023|website=Associated Press|access-date=August 20, 2023}}

He was the official commentator for the Jake Paul vs. Mike Tyson boxing match.

In 2025, Cedric the Entertainer competed on season thirteen of The Masked Singer as "Honey Pot" where the bees on the mask part of his costume sported his trademark fedoras. He was the first of Group A to be eliminated in the season premiere.{{cite web|url=https://variety.com/2025/tv/news/the-masked-singer-season-13-premiere-recap-cedric-entertainer-honey-pot-1236305938/|title='The Masked Singer' Season 13 Premiere Reveals Identity of Honey Pot: Here Is the Celebrity Under the Costume|website=Variety|first=Michael|last=Schneider|date=February 12, 2025|access-date=February 13, 2025}}

Cedric is married to Lorna Wells. They have two children, Croix (born 2000) and Lucky Rose (born 2003).{{cite web|url=https://www.essence.com/lifestyle/cedric-the-entertainer-kids/|title=Cedric the Entertainer Is A Proud Dad As Daughter Lucky Stuns At Senior Prom|last=Uwumarogie|first=Victoria|date=June 8, 2021|website=Essence.com|access-date=August 22, 2023}} He also has a daughter, Tiara (born 1989), from a previous relationship.{{cite web|url=https://news.amomama.com/300560-cedric-entertainers-wife-is-his-queen-wh.html|title=Cedric the Entertainer's Wife Is His Queen Who Keeps Him Grounded|last=Musitafu|first=Akbur|date=January 27, 2023|website=news.anomama.com|access-date=August 22, 2023}} He continues his involvement with his high school by awarding a scholarship each year to a graduating senior through the Cedric the Entertainer Charitable Foundation, whose motto is "Reaching Out...Giving Back". In May 2015, he was awarded an honorary doctorate in fine arts and humanities by Lincoln University of Missouri (his parents' alma mater). In 2018, St. Louis honored him by renaming the street in front of the Kappa Alpha Psi Alumni House to Cedric The Entertainer Way.{{Cite news |url=https://fox2now.com/2018/12/15/cedric-the-entertainer-has-a-street-named-in-his-honor-in-north-st-louis/ |title=Cedric the Entertainer has a street named in his honor in north St. Louis |last=Hoskins |first=Kelley |date=December 15, 2018| archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200807213455/https://fox2now.com/news/cedric-the-entertainer-has-a-street-named-in-his-honor-in-north-st-louis/|archive-date=7 August 2020|url-status=live |publisher=Fox 2 Now |language=en |access-date=February 25, 2020|quote=The unveiling ceremony of Cedric The Entertainer Way was held Saturday morning at the corner of Olive Street and Vandeventer Avenue in front of the Kappa Alpha Psi Fraternity Alumni House as Mayor Lyda Krewson proclaimed it Cedric The Entertainer Day!}}. Coordinates: {{Coord|38.6412548|N|90.2391825|W|format=dms}}.{{cite AV media |title=Cedric the Entertainer Street Renaming Ceremony|date=January 17, 2019|url=http://archive.org/details/stltvmo-Cedric_the_Entertainer_Street_Renaming_Ceremony|language=en|access-date=February 25, 2020 |via=Internet Archive|quote=...Cedric The Entertainer Way really suits him, because Cedric did it his way...|minutes=12|publisher=STL TV - City of St. Louis government access channel|medium=Television Production|

transcript=Transcript (WebVTT format)|transcript-url=https://archive.org/download/stltvmo-Cedric_the_Entertainer_Street_Renaming_Ceremony/Cedric_the_Entertainer_Street_Renaming_Ceremony.en.vtt#:~:text=00:12:51.720,00:12:59.430|archive-url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1G_IpF9UmOc&t=12m38s|archive-date=17 January 2019|url-status=live

}}

File:CedrictheEntertainerGetSmartJun08.jpg]]

{{notelist}}

{{Reflist}}

{{Wikiquote}}

{{Commons category}}

• [http://www.iamcedric.com/ Official website]
• {{IMDb name|147825|Cedric the Entertainer}}
• [https://www.pbs.org/kcet/tavissmiley/archive/200407/20040709.html Cedric the Entertainer interview] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100729212439/http://www.pbs.org/kcet/tavissmiley/archive/200407/20040709.html |date=July 29, 2010 }} on the Tavis Smiley show
• [http://www.ketc.org/productions/productions_livingSTL_videoArchive.asp Cedric the Entertainer profile] on Living St. Louis.

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Category:1964 births

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