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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 Larry et son nombril (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 Le spectacle de Chris Rock (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, 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), La famille Foldingue (2000), Les pieds sur terre (2001), and Sa mère ou moi ! (2005).
BornMarch 7, 1964
  • More at IMDbPro
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    • Agent info
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BornMarch 7, 1964
IMDbProStarmeterSee rank
  • View contact info at IMDbPro
    • Won 1 Primetime Emmy
      • 9 wins & 50 nominations total

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    Known for

    Jennifer Lopez, Jane Fonda, and Michael Vartan in Sa mère ou moi ! (2005)
    Sa mère ou moi !
    5.6
    • Ruby
    • 2005
    Jennifer Lopez, John Leguizamo, Denis Leary, Ray Romano, Alain Chabat, Peter Dinklage, Nick Frost, Chris Wedge, Aziz Ansari, Rebel Wilson, and Kunal Nayyar in L'Âge de glace 4 : La Dérive des continents (2012)
    L'Âge de glace 4 : La Dérive des continents
    6.5
    • Granny(voice)
    • 2012
    Mila Kunis, Kristen Bell, and Kathryn Hahn in Bad Moms (2016)
    Bad Moms
    6.2
    • Dr. Karl
    • 2016
    Bruce Willis, William Shatner, Catherine O'Hara, Thomas Haden Church, Steve Carell, Garry Shandling, and Wanda Sykes in Nos voisins, les hommes (2006)
    Nos voisins, les hommes
    6.7
    • Stella(voice)
    • 2006

    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
      6.0
      TV Series
      • Nancy (voice)
      • 2025
    • Kim Fields, Mike Epps, Wanda Sykes, Journey Christine, Diamond Lyons, Jermelle Simon, and Khali Spraggins in La famille Upshaw (2021)
      La famille Upshaw
      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
      6.3
      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 S.O.S. Bikini Bottom: Une mission pour Sandy Écureuil (2024)
      S.O.S. Bikini Bottom: Une mission pour Sandy Écureuil
      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
    • History of the World Part II (2023)
      History of the World Part II
      5.5
      TV Mini Series
      • Shirley Chisholm
      • Dr. Kaufmanberg
      • Gloria ...
      • 2023
    • Tig N' Seek (2020)
      Tig N' Seek
      6.3
      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
      7.4
      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 La famille Upshaw (2021)
      La famille Upshaw
      7.0
      TV Series
      • executive producer (showrunner)
      • 2021–2025
    • Outstanding: A Comedy Revolution (2024)
      Outstanding: A Comedy Revolution
      7.3
      • executive producer
      • 2024
    • Wanda Sykes in Wanda Sykes: I'm an Entertainer (2023)
      Wanda Sykes: I'm an Entertainer
      7.1
      • executive producer
      • 2023
    • History of the World Part II (2023)
      History of the World Part II
      5.5
      TV Mini 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
      8.3
      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
      6.6
      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
      8.4
      TV Series
      • executive producer
      • 2017

    Writer



    • Kim Fields, Mike Epps, Wanda Sykes, Journey Christine, Diamond Lyons, Jermelle Simon, and Khali Spraggins in La famille Upshaw (2021)
      La famille Upshaw
      7.0
      TV Series
      • created by
      • written by (creator)
      • 2021–2025
    • History of the World Part II (2023)
      History of the World Part II
      5.5
      TV Mini 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
      6.3
      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
      5.0
      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
      7.2
      TV Special
      • written by
      • 2006
    • Wanda Does It (2004)
      Wanda Does It
      5.0
      TV Series
      • creator
      • 2004
    • Wanda Sykes in Wanda at Large (2003)
      Wanda at Large
      6.0
      TV Series
      • creator
      • writer
      • created by ...
      • 2003
    • Wanda Sykes: Tongue Untied (2003)
      Wanda Sykes: Tongue Untied
      6.7
      TV Special
      • Writer
      • 2003
    • Premium Blend (1997)
      Premium Blend
      6.1
      TV Series
      • writer
      • 2002–2003
    • 74th Annual Academy Awards (2002)
      74th Annual Academy Awards
      5.9
      TV Special
      • written by
      • 2002
    • The Downer Channel (2001)
      The Downer Channel
      7.3
      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
      • 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 Ellen: 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

    FAQ

    Powered by Alexa
    • How old is Wanda Sykes?
      61 years old
    • When was Wanda Sykes born?
      March 7, 1964
    • Where was Wanda Sykes born?
      Portsmouth, Virginia, USA
    • What is Wanda Sykes's birth name?
      Wanda Yvette Sykes
    • How tall is Wanda Sykes?
      5 feet 2 inches, or 1.57 meters

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