Cedric The Entertainer: The Life and Legacy of a Trailblazing Comedian

The Life and Career of Cedric the Entertainer

Cedric Antonio Kyles, better known by his stage name Cedric the Entertainer, is one of the most beloved comedians and actors working in Hollywood today. With a career spanning over three decades, Cedric has solidified himself as a master of stand-up comedy and a talented actor across film and television.

Early Life and Career Beginnings

Cedric was born on April 24, 1964 in Jefferson City, Missouri and grew up in Caruthersville. He developed a passion for making people laugh at a young age, inspired by figures like Richard Pryor, Redd Foxx, and Sammy Davis Jr. After graduating high school, Cedric briefly attended Southeast Missouri State University before deciding to pursue a career in comedy full-time.

He moved to St. Louis and began performing stand-up at comedy clubs, quickly developing his own unique style and stage persona. In 1989, he made the big move to Los Angeles to further his comedy career. He started gaining notoriety on the LA comedy circuit and landed his first film role in 1993's Ride. This launched his acting career to new heights.

Breakout Success in Stand-Up Comedy

Cedric's big break came in 1995 when he won the Richard Pryor Comic of the Year Award at the renowned Black Entertainment Television (BET) Comedy Awards. This high-profile win helped him land bigger comedy gigs, TV appearances, and film roles.

In 1997, Cedric got his first HBO stand-up special titled Cedric the Entertainer: Cedric the Entertainer. His funny observations on relationships, slice-of-life humor, and physical comedy received widespread praise and introduced him to a larger mainstream audience. Cedric's popularity exploded and he became one of the most sought-after comedians in the industry.

He followed up his successful debut special with Cedric the Entertainer: Taking You Higher in 1999. His second HBO special showcased more of his unique brand of observational and physical comedy. It cemented his status as one of the biggest Black comedians in the business.

Film and TV Success

On top of his thriving stand-up career, Cedric began finding great success in television and film. In 2002, he co-starred with Steve Harvey in The Steve Harvey Show. His role as Coach Cedric Robinson endeared him to family audiences.

That same year, Cedric made his big screen breakthrough when he co-starred in the hit film Barbershop alongside Ice Cube. He reprised his role in the successful Barbershop sequel Barbershop 2: Back in Business. Cedric's star power continued to rise.

In 2004, Cedric landed his own sitcom titled Cedric the Entertainer Presents on Fox. The show featured sketches and performances from Cedric himself as well as up-and-coming Black comedians and musicians. Although it only ran for one season, it demonstrated Cedric's abilities as a producer and sketch comedy performer.

He found one of his biggest roles in 2005 when he co-starred as Eddie in the family comedy The Honeymooners based on the classic 1950s sitcom. His hilarious performance as the lovable sidekick won over critics and audiences alike.

Cedric has gone on to star in dozens of major motion pictures and TV shows, displaying his talents across genres from comedy to drama. Some of his notable credits include Johnson Family Vacation (2004), Intolerable Cruelty (2003), Be Cool (2005), A Haunted House (2013), and Why Him? (2016).

Later Stand-up Success

Even with his booming acting career, Cedric has always stayed true to his stand-up roots. He released his third HBO special titled Cedric the Entertainer: Taking You Higher in 2006. By that point, he was a proven veteran of the comedy stage entertaining sold-out audiences across the country.

In 2012, Cedric recorded his fourth HBO special called Cedric The Entertainer: Cedric the Entertainer Live from the LA Convention Center. The 90-minute special combined Cedric's signature storytelling and physicality along with hilarious observations about aging and modern life. It was a triumphant return to the stand-up stage for one of the greats.

Never one to rest on his laurels, Cedric debuted a brand new stand-up special on Netflix in 2017 titled Cedric the Entertainer: Live from the Ville. Filmed in his hometown of St. Louis, it showed that even after decades in the business, Cedric was still on top of his game as a world-class comedian.

Recent Projects

Today, Cedric remains one of the hardest working comedians in show business. He continues touring the country doing stand-up and has retained his popularity with younger audiences through his clever use of social media trends.

On the acting front, Cedric currently stars as Pastor Paul Thomas, Sr. in the Emmy Award-winning comedy series The Neighborhood. His chemistry with co-star Max Greenfield provides hilarious moments episode after episode.

In 2022, Cedric hosted the Emmy Awards for the second time, demonstrating his strong command of live audiences in one of TV's biggest gigs. Later that year, he reprised his beloved role as Eddie in The Honeymooners holiday special Christmas in Harlem.

Cedric also worked with Lebron James' SpringHill Company to produce the 2022 World Cup fan fest Cedric the Entertainer's Kickin' It Live. This special combined Cedric's comedy, conversations with celebrity guests, and live music in a unique World Cup viewing experience.

As he approaches 40 years in show business, Cedric shows no signs of slowing down. His genuine humor and appeal to audiences of all ages ensure his incredible career will keep rolling along for years to come.

Cedric the Entertainer's Lasting Legacy

Throughout his illustrious career, Cedric the Entertainer has solidified his place as a trailblazing and influential black comedian. From stand-up stages to the big screen, his original comedic voice has captivated audiences for nearly 30 years.

Cedric has paved the way for generations of black comedians who have followed in his footsteps. He demonstrated that black entertainers could move from stand-up comedy into successful acting careers across film and television.

With his family-friendly comedy style combined with cutting cultural commentary, Cedric has maintained relevance across changing times and audiences. His ability to evolve with the moments while staying true to himself is part of what makes him a special talent.

While he has starred in major films and TV shows, Cedric has never abandoned his roots in stand-up that started his historic career. His touring and HBO specials over three decades showcase an elite performer at the height of his powers.

At only 58 years old, Cedric still has plenty left to accomplish. But no matter what comes next, he has already secured his legacy as a trailblazer in black comedy who overcame barriers through sheer talent and determination. The entertainment world is better because Cedric the Entertainer chose this as his profession and calling.

FAQs

Where is Cedric the Entertainer from originally?

Cedric the Entertainer was born in Jefferson City, Missouri and grew up in Caruthersville, Missouri. He briefly attended college in Missouri before moving to St. Louis to pursue comedy and later relocated to Los Angeles.

How did Cedric the Entertainer get his start in comedy?

Cedric started performing stand-up comedy in St. Louis comedy clubs in the late 1980s. His big break came when he won the Richard Pryor Comic of the Year Award at the BET Comedy Awards in 1995, which helped launch his career.

What was Cedric's first HBO stand-up special?

In 1997, Cedric recorded his first HBO stand-up special called Cedric the Entertainer: Cedric the Entertainer. This introduced him to a wider audience and helped grow his popularity.

What are some of Cedric's most notable acting roles?

Some of Cedric's biggest roles include Barbershop (2002), The Steve Harvey Show (2002-2005), The Honeymooners (2005), The Neighborhood (2018-present), and hosting the Emmys twice (2002, 2022).

How many stand-up specials has Cedric done with HBO?

To date, Cedric has recorded four stand-up specials with HBO: Cedric the Entertainer: Cedric the Entertainer (1997), Cedric the Entertainer: Taking You Higher (1999), Cedric The Entertainer: Taking You Higher (2006), and Cedric The Entertainer: Cedric the Entertainer Live (2012).