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IMDbPro

Wanda Sykes

  • Actress
  • Producer
  • Writer
IMDbProStarmeterSee rank
Wanda Sykes
Good Times
Play trailer2:28
Good Times (2024– )
45 Videos
99+ Photos
Wanda Sykes has been called one of the funniest stand-up comics by her peers and ranks among Entertainment Weekly's 25 Funniest People in America. Her smart-witted stand-up has sent her career in many different areas.

She was previously seen in Comedy Central's Wanda Does It (2004), where she tried various non-showbiz jobs. Her first book, "Yeah I Said It," published by Simon and Schuster, hit bookstores in September 2004, which is a hilarious collection of essays touching on life, family, and current events.

In 2003, she was seen on Fox's Wanda at Large (2003), in which she wrote, produced, and starred. She also has a one-hour Comedy Central special called Wanda Sykes: Tongue Untied (2003). In addition, she can be seen on HBO's Curb Your Enthusiasm (2000) or heard on Comedy Central's Crank Yankers (2002) as the voice of Gladys Murphy.

Wanda was born in Portsmouth, Virginia, and raised in Maryland, the daughter of Marion Louise (Peoples), a banker, and Harry Ellsworth Sykes, a US Army colonel. She graduated with a Bachelor of Science degree from Hampton University. Her stand-up career began at a Coors Light Super talent Showcase in Washington, DC, where she performed for the first time in front of a live audience.

She spent 5 years as part of the HBO's critically acclaimed The Chris Rock Show (1997). As a performer and writer on the show, she was nominated for three Primetime Emmy Awards and in 1999 won the Emmy for Outstanding Writing for a Variety, Music, or Comedy Special. In 2001, she won the American Comedy Award for Outstanding Female Stand-Up Comic. She won a second Emmy in 2002 for her work on Inside the NFL (1977). In 2003, Wanda earned a Comedy Central Commie Award for Funniest TV Actress. Other writing credits include the 1999 MTV Video Music Awards (1999), The MTV Movie Awards, The 74th Annual Academy Awards (2002), The Keenen Ivory Wayans Show (1997), and Wanda at Large (2003).

She also appeared in the feature films Pootie Tang (2001), Nutty Professor II: The Klumps (2000), Down to Earth (2001), and Monster-in-Law (2005).
BornMarch 7, 1964
  • More at IMDbPro
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    • Agent info
    • Resume
BornMarch 7, 1964
IMDbProStarmeterSee rank
  • View contact info at IMDbPro
    • Won 1 Primetime Emmy
      • 9 wins & 50 nominations total

    Photos200

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    Known for

    Jennifer Lopez, Jane Fonda, and Michael Vartan in Monster-in-Law (2005)
    Monster-in-Law
    5.6
    • Ruby
    • 2005
    Jennifer Lopez, John Leguizamo, Queen Latifah, Denis Leary, Patrick Stewart, Elton John, Ray Romano, Seann William Scott, Renato Falcão, Aladár László, Carlos Alazraqui, Ashley Paige Albert, Kristen Alderson, Dave Allen, Kristen Ariza, Michael Beattie, Joy Behar, Michael Berg, Bob Bergen, Edita Brychta, Christopher Campbell, Aimée Castle, Sebastian Cavazza, Cedric The Entertainer, Alain Chabat, Jacqulin Cole, Jim Conroy, Peter Dinklage, Karen Disher, Walt Dohrn, John C. Donkin, Jenny Eclair, Nick Frost, Jason Fuchs, Ella Gombaszögi, Juliette Gruber, Aysen Gruda, Yilmaz Gruda, Mona Grudt, Marcus Grüsser, Jean-Claude Grumberg, Guy A. Grundy, David Gruner, Cheryl Grunwald, Gustaf Gründgens, Jason Harris, Sondra James, Tara Sands, Linda Joy, Grudi Kadiev, Ljubomir Kerekes, Ruby Lee, Selenis Leyva, Bill Lobley, Annie Tippe, Danny Mann, Steve Martino, Mike Mitchell, Yuji Naka, James Palumbo, Josh Peck, Simon Pegg, Chris Phillips, John Powell, Dennis T. Carnegie, Don Rickles, Linda Robson, Peter Pamela Rose, David Ian Salter, Peter Sohn, Wanda Sykes, Randy Thom, Michael Thurmeier, Josh Todd, Alan Tudyk, Aron Warner, Chris Wedge, Christopher Knights, Lori Forte, Drake, Tarik Filipovic, Keith Silverstein, Mimiyuuuh, Ge Gru, Ben Gleib, Ron McClary, Keanu Uu, A.J. Satiu, Josh Gad, Susanne Uusitalo, Kaijiuu, Edo Maajka, Bayarkhuu Ulambayar, Suhana Khan, Anabelle Daisy Grundberg, Chop Suuush, Grusha Kapoor, YNM Uuu, Uuuu, Alexander Duke, Corwin C. Tuggles, Kalevi Uusivuori, Gru, Sodkhuu Urtnasan, Roe Arevalo, Tooti Fruuuti, Chuuuutki Nalu, Grub Smith, Kristen DeLuca, Keke Palmer, Seishuu Uragami, Arno Serene, Shoshanna Gruss, Ivan Druuu, Vuhuuu, Risuruuu, Guuuby, Yuko Yagyu, Alexandra Romano, Merzouuu, Eddie 'Piolin' Sotelo, Satu Uusiautti, Marieve Herington, Tashiana Washington, Auuutieee, Uku Uusberg, Bicho Siiuuu, Hiuuugs, Sanjeeth 'Sanjuuuu' Gowdru, Aleksandra Gruziel, Jason Fricchione, Erin Grush, Gruff Rhys, Brian Scott McFadden, Vanessa Lemonides, Christopher Lee Parson, Jeff Gruenewald, Aziz Ansari, George Jacobs, Rebel Wilson, Kunal Nayyar, Markku Uusipaavalniemi, Rebecca Gruss, Pierre Gruno, Samu Uutela, Chuuch, Yuu Urata, Christina Martino, Ellie Martino, Danny Flaherty, Markku Uusikoski, Mike Grubbs, Teri Reeves, Brad Grusnick, Lucas Leguizamo, Allegra Leguizamo, Gabriel Rush, Alexa Kahn, Heather Elizabeth Morris, Ester Dean, Nathan Zen-Sapien, Nicki Minaj, Bruno Montes de Oca Monge, Markku Uusitalo, Shumpei Negami, Seth Dusky, Teilor Grubbs, Perttu Uusitalo, Sarah Grünewald, Matthew Simmons, Una Grujic, Meghan Thurmeier, Nola Donkin, Kristen Phaneuf, Grunde Tveiten, Elisabet Casanovas, Cezar Grumazescu, Arttu Uuranmäki, Ruta Lecaite, Eppu Uutinen, Shû Uchida, Andy Wu, Anu Uusipulkamo, Satu Uusitalo, Jake Grunberg, Vilppu Uusitalo, Yuu Uchida, and Munkhuu Uvgun in Ice Age: Continental Drift (2012)
    Ice Age: Continental Drift
    6.5
    • Granny(voice)
    • 2012
    Jada Pinkett Smith, Christina Applegate, Mila Kunis, Kristen Bell, Kathryn Hahn, and Annie Mumolo in Bad Moms (2016)
    Bad Moms
    6.2
    • Dr. Karl
    • 2016
    Steve Carell in Evan Almighty (2007)
    Evan Almighty
    5.4
    • Rita
    • 2007

    Credits

    Edit
    IMDbPro

    Actress



    • Undercard
      • Cheryl 'No Mercy' Stewart
      • Post-production
    • Tangles: A Story About Alzheimer's, My Mother and Me
      • Pre-production



    • Lil Kev (2025)
      Lil Kev
      7.1
      TV Series
      • Nancy (voice)
      • 2025
    • Kim Fields, Mike Epps, Wanda Sykes, Journey Christine, Diamond Lyons, Jermelle Simon, and Khali Spraggins in The Upshaws (2021)
      The Upshaws
      7.0
      TV Series
      • Lucretia Turner
      • 2021–2025
    • Mindy Kaling in Velma (2023)
      Velma
      1.6
      TV Series
      • Linda
      • Krista (voice)
      • 2023–2024
    • Rock, Paper, Scissors (2024)
      Rock, Paper, Scissors
      6.5
      TV Series
      • Dian (voice)
      • 2024
    • Yvette Nicole Brown, J.B. Smoove, Gerald 'Slink' Johnson, Jay Pharoah, and Marsai Martin in Good Times (2024)
      Good Times
      4.1
      TV Series
      • Ms. Likeigiveashit (voice)
      • 2024
    • Dee Bradley Baker in Star Wars: The Bad Batch (2021)
      Star Wars: The Bad Batch
      7.8
      TV Series
      • Phee Genoa (voice)
      • 2023–2024
    • Clancy Brown, Rodger Bumpass, Bill Fagerbakke, Tom Kenny, Carolyn Lawrence, Mr. Lawrence, and Jill Talley in Saving Bikini Bottom: The Sandy Cheeks Movie (2024)
      Saving Bikini Bottom: The Sandy Cheeks Movie
      3.7
      • Sue Nahmee
      • 2024
    • Sandy Hook Promise: Just Joking
      Video
      • 2023
    • Wanda Sykes and Colin Jost in Trust Fall (2023)
      Trust Fall
      6.3
      Podcast Series
      • Carla
      • 2023
    • The Other Two (2019)
      The Other Two
      7.8
      TV Series
      • Shuli Kucerac
      • 2019–2023
    • Mel Brooks, Ike Barinholtz, Pamela Adlon, Wanda Sykes, Nick Kroll, Nick Robinson, Dove Cameron, Tim Baltz, and Ronny Chieng in History of the World: Part II (2023)
      History of the World: Part II
      5.6
      TV Series
      • Shirley Chisholm
      • Dr. Kaufmanberg
      • Gloria ...
      • 2023
    • Tig N' Seek (2020)
      Tig N' Seek
      6.7
      TV Series
      • Nuritza
      • Azniv (voice)
      • 2020–2022
    • Steve Coogan and Sarah Solemani in Chivalry (2022)
      Chivalry
      6.1
      TV Series
      • Jean
      • 2022
    • DaMya Gurley, Tamara Jade, Robin Thede, Gabrielle Dennis, Angel Laketa Moore, and Skye Townsend in A Black Lady Sketch Show (2019)
      A Black Lady Sketch Show
      7.5
      TV Series
      • Heckler
      • 2022
    • Tiny Tina's Wonderlands (2022)
      Tiny Tina's Wonderlands
      7.5
      Video Game
      • Frette (voice)
      • 2022

    Producer



    • Throw Mama from the Game Show
      • producer
      • Pre-production
      • TV Series
    • Undercard
      • executive producer
      • Post-production



    • Kim Fields, Mike Epps, Wanda Sykes, Journey Christine, Diamond Lyons, Jermelle Simon, and Khali Spraggins in The Upshaws (2021)
      The Upshaws
      7.0
      TV Series
      • executive producer (showrunner)
      • 2021–2025
    • Outstanding: A Comedy Revolution (2024)
      Outstanding: A Comedy Revolution
      7.4
      • executive producer
      • 2024
    • Wanda Sykes in Wanda Sykes: I'm an Entertainer (2023)
      Wanda Sykes: I'm an Entertainer
      7.1
      • executive producer
      • 2023
    • Mel Brooks, Ike Barinholtz, Pamela Adlon, Wanda Sykes, Nick Kroll, Nick Robinson, Dove Cameron, Tim Baltz, and Ronny Chieng in History of the World: Part II (2023)
      History of the World: Part II
      5.6
      TV Series
      • executive producer
      • 2023
    • Cristela Alonzo: Middle Classy (2022)
      Cristela Alonzo: Middle Classy
      6.9
      TV Special
      • executive producer
      • 2022
    • I Love Us (2022)
      I Love Us
      5.0
      TV Series
      • executive producer
      • 2022
    • Ms. Pat: Y'all Wanna Hear Something Crazy? (2022)
      Ms. Pat: Y'all Wanna Hear Something Crazy?
      6.0
      TV Special
      • executive producer
      • 2022
    • Visible: Out on Television (2020)
      Visible: Out on Television
      8.4
      TV Mini Series
      • executive producer
      • 2020
    • Fortune Feimster: Sweet & Salty (2020)
      Fortune Feimster: Sweet & Salty
      6.9
      TV Special
      • executive producer
      • 2020
    • Tiffany Haddish: Black Mitzvah (2019)
      Tiffany Haddish: Black Mitzvah
      6.3
      TV Special
      • executive producer
      • 2019
    • Tiffany Haddish Presents: They Ready (2019)
      Tiffany Haddish Presents: They Ready
      6.7
      TV Series
      • executive producer
      • 2019
    • Wanda Sykes in Wanda Sykes: Not Normal (2019)
      Wanda Sykes: Not Normal
      7.3
      TV Special
      • executive producer
      • 2019
    • Rob Christensen in Unprotected Sets (2018)
      Unprotected Sets
      6.8
      TV Series
      • executive producer
      • 2018
    • John Goodman, Roseanne Barr, Sara Gilbert, Michael Fishman, Alicia Goranson, and Laurie Metcalf in Roseanne (1988)
      Roseanne
      7.1
      TV Series
      • consulting producer
      • 2018
    • Big Boy in Face Value (2017)
      Face Value
      8.5
      TV Series
      • executive producer
      • 2017

    Writer



    • Kim Fields, Mike Epps, Wanda Sykes, Journey Christine, Diamond Lyons, Jermelle Simon, and Khali Spraggins in The Upshaws (2021)
      The Upshaws
      7.0
      TV Series
      • created by
      • written by (creator)
      • 2021–2025
    • Mel Brooks, Ike Barinholtz, Pamela Adlon, Wanda Sykes, Nick Kroll, Nick Robinson, Dove Cameron, Tim Baltz, and Ronny Chieng in History of the World: Part II (2023)
      History of the World: Part II
      5.6
      TV Series
      • writer
      • 2023
    • Wanda Sykes in Wanda Sykes: Not Normal (2019)
      Wanda Sykes: Not Normal
      7.3
      TV Special
      • written by
      • 2019
    • Wanda Sykes: What Happened... Ms. Sykes? (2016)
      Wanda Sykes: What Happened... Ms. Sykes?
      6.6
      TV Special
      • Writer
      • 2016
    • Last Comic Standing (2003)
      Last Comic Standing
      6.4
      TV Series
      • writer
      • 2014
    • NewNowNext Vote with Wanda Sykes (2012)
      NewNowNext Vote with Wanda Sykes
      TV Movie
      • Writer
      • 2012
    • The Wanda Sykes Show (2009)
      The Wanda Sykes Show
      5.2
      TV Series
      • writer
      • 2009–2010
    • Wanda Sykes in Wanda Sykes: I'ma Be Me (2009)
      Wanda Sykes: I'ma Be Me
      7.7
      TV Special
      • Writer
      • 2009
    • Wanda Sykes: Sick and Tired (2006)
      Wanda Sykes: Sick and Tired
      7.3
      TV Special
      • written by
      • 2006
    • Wanda Does It (2004)
      Wanda Does It
      5.1
      TV Series
      • creator
      • 2004
    • Wanda Sykes in Wanda at Large (2003)
      Wanda at Large
      6.1
      TV Series
      • creator
      • writer
      • created by ...
      • 2003
    • Wanda Sykes: Tongue Untied (2003)
      Wanda Sykes: Tongue Untied
      6.8
      TV Special
      • Writer
      • 2003
    • Premium Blend (1997)
      Premium Blend
      6.0
      TV Series
      • writer
      • 2002–2003
    • The 74th Annual Academy Awards (2002)
      The 74th Annual Academy Awards
      5.9
      TV Special
      • written by
      • 2002
    • The Downer Channel (2001)
      The Downer Channel
      6.9
      TV Series
      • written by
      • writer
      • 2001

    • In-development projects at IMDbPro

    Videos45

    Everything to Know About the 2022 Oscars
    Clip 4:55
    Everything to Know About the 2022 Oscars
    Brother Bear 2: 2 Movie Collection
    Clip 1:50
    Brother Bear 2: 2 Movie Collection
    Brother Bear 2: 2 Movie Collection
    Clip 1:50
    Brother Bear 2: 2 Movie Collection
    Brother Bear 2: 2 Movie Collection
    Clip 1:38
    Brother Bear 2: 2 Movie Collection
    Brother Bear 2: 2 Movie Collection
    Clip 1:41
    Brother Bear 2: 2 Movie Collection
    Brother Bear 2: 2 Movie Collection
    Clip 1:12
    Brother Bear 2: 2 Movie Collection
    Monster in Law
    Clip 0:41
    Monster in Law

    Personal details

    Edit
    • Official sites
      • Facebook
      • Instagram
    • Alternative names
      • Wanda Sykes Hall
    • Height
      • 5′ 2″ (1.57 m)
    • Born
      • March 7, 1964
      • Portsmouth, Virginia, USA
    • Spouses
        Alex NiedbalskiOctober 25, 2008 - present (2 children)
    • Other works
      Book: "Yeah, I Said It".
    • Publicity listings
      • 1 Print Biography
      • 2 Interviews
      • 13 Articles
      • 2 Magazine Cover Photos

    Did you know

    Edit
    • Trivia
      In September 2011, Sykes revealed that earlier in the year, she had gone in for breast reduction surgery and discovered that she had very early-stage breast cancer. Because of a history of breast cancer in her family, she decided to have a bilateral mastectomy (both breasts removed).
    • Quotes
      [on The Ellen DeGeneres Show (2003) after the passage of Proposition 8, which took away the right to gay marriage in California] Here in California, the one that's important to me is Prop 8. What broke my heart, you know--I'm watching the news, and there were, you know, like, a lot of the black churches got together, and they were rallying, you know, they were FOR Prop 8; I'm like, come on--it's discrimination! I mean, discrimination is discrimination. And of all people, black people should know discrimination and you're going to vote and get discrimination in the Constitution? I mean, that's . . . I know African-Americans, they get upset. They're like, "Black and gay, that's totally different things. We had it hard." And I'm like, "Yeah, I get it. I'm black. I know. I get it". You know. But there's things that gay people have to go through that black people didn't have to go through. I never had to come out black. Never had to sit my family down and tell them about my blackness. Have a little talk with my employer, let him know about my "black lifestyle". Mom, dad, I gotta tell you something. Hope you still love me. I'm black. You know, and my mother: "Not black, Lord! Anything but black, Jesus! Anything but black! What did I do, what did I do? It was Soul Train (1971), wasn't it? I shouldn't have let you watch 'Soul Train'." "No, ma, that's just me--I mean, I just feel like I was born black". "No, you weren't born black. The bible says Adam and Eve; it doesn't say Adam and Mary J. Blige".
    • Trademark
        Her sassy sounding voice

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