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Wanda Sykes

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Wanda Sykes
File:WanSyke1.jpg
Wanda Sykes at the Harlem book signing for her book, Yeah, I Said It on September 20, 2004
Years active1984 – Present

Wanda Sykes (born March 7, 1964 in Portsmouth, Virginia), also known as Wanda Sykes-Hall, is an Emmy-winning American stand-up comedian and actress. She is a graduate of Hampton University in Hampton, Virginia.

Biography

Comedy

She is known for her blunt observations on current events, the difference between the sexes and races, and life in general. One distinct example of her humor is a comparison between white-collar corporate thieves and muggers, about which she comments, "You get mugged, you might lose what you got on that DAY. But I ain't never been mugged of my FUTURE."

Career

She began her standup career in 1987 when she entered a Washington D.C.-area talent competition. Although she lost, she discovered a passion for comedy. She continued to hone her talents at local venues while working as a procurement officer at the National Security Agency (NSA). In 1992, she left the NSA and moved to New York. Her first big break came when opening for Chris Rock at Caroline's Comedy Club. In 1997, she joined the writing team on The Chris Rock Show. The writing team was nominated for four Emmys, one of which they won in 1999. Since that time, she has appeared in such films as Pootie Tang and on TV shows such as Curb Your Enthusiasm. In 2003, she starred in her own short-lived Fox network sitcom, Wanda at Large. The same year, Sykes appeared in an hour-long Comedy Central special, Tongue Untied. That network also ranked her #70 on its list of the 100 greatest all-time standups. She served as a correspondent for HBO's Inside the NFL, hosted Comedy Central's popular show Premium Blend, and voices a recurring character named Gladys on Comedy Central's puppet show Crank Yankers. She had a short-lived show on Comedy Central called Wanda Does It, where she tries out various careers. She frequently winds up choosing what career she will try out after scolding someone in an over-the-top fashion who does the particular job.

In addition to her film and television work, Sykes is also an author. She wrote Yeah, I Said It, a book of humorous observations on various topics, published in September 2004.

In 2006, she landed a recurring role on the sitcom The New Adventures of Old Christine; she became a series regular in the second season. She also provided voices for the 2006 films Over the Hedge, Barnyard and Brother Bear 2. She had a part in My Super Ex-Girlfriend and is now playing in Evan Almighty, the sequel to the Jim Carrey hit Bruce Almighty. Sykes' first HBO Comedy Special, titled "Wanda Sykes: Sick & Tired", premiered at 10:00 PM EST on October 14th, 2006.

Personal

In the April 2007 issue of OUT Magazine, Michael Musto implied Sykes is a closeted lesbian in the article "The Glass Closet." [1] Sykes has not responded to the article.

Wanda is a member of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority Inc.

Wanda is a graduate of Arundel High School in Gambrills, Maryland.[citation needed]

Filmography

Actress

Writer

References

  1. ^ Out.com Features | The Glass Closet. Retrieved May 31, 2007.
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