Cedric the Entertainer facts for kids

Quick facts for kids Cedric the Entertainer
Cedric in 2023
Born	Cedric Antonio Kyles (1964-04-24) April 24, 1964 (age 61) Jefferson City, Missouri, U.S.
Education	Southeast Missouri State University (BA)
Occupation	Comedian actor television host producer
Years active	1987–present
Spouse(s)	Lorna Wells ​ (m. 1999)​
Children	3
Awards	Six NAACP Image Awards One Gotham Award Star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame
Comedy career
Genres	Observational comedy, surreal humour, insult comedy
Subject(s)	Everyday life, pop culture, self-deprecation

Cedric Antonio Kyles (born April 24, 1964), known as Cedric the Entertainer, is a famous American comedian, actor, and TV host. He has hosted popular shows like ComicView and Def Comedy Jam. Many people know him from The Steve Harvey Show and the Barbershop movies.

Cedric was also one of The Original Kings of Comedy. He hosted Who Wants to Be a Millionaire for a few years. You might have heard his voice in movies like Ice Age and the Madagascar series. He currently stars in the TV show The Neighborhood. In 2019, he received a special star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame.

Early Life and Education

Cedric was born on April 24, 1964, in Caruthersville, Missouri. His mother, Rosetta, was a schoolteacher. His father, Kittrell, worked for the railroad. He has a younger sister named Sharita.

Cedric grew up in Caruthersville. After junior high, he moved to Berkeley, Missouri, near St. Louis. He finished high school at Berkeley High School. Later, he earned a degree in communications from Southeast Missouri State University.

Becoming Cedric the Entertainer

Cedric's real name is Cedric Kyles. He thought it sounded too serious for a comedian. He first tried the name "Cheerio," but that was already a cereal brand! So, he picked "Cedric the Entertainer" after someone introduced him that way. The name stuck.

Starting His Acting Career

In 1995, Cedric began acting. His first role was as The Cowardly Lion in a play called The Wiz. He then became well-known for playing Cedric Jackie Robinson on The Steve Harvey Show. This role helped him become a household name.

Movies and Voice Acting

Cedric has appeared in many movies. These include Barbershop, Serving Sara, and Johnson Family Vacation. He also voiced characters in animated films. He was Maurice the aye-aye in the Madagascar movies. He also voiced Golly the gander in Charlotte's Web.

In the Barbershop film, his character made some comments that caused discussion. These were part of the movie's script. Cedric has never apologized for these lines.

Stand-Up Comedy and TV Shows

Even with his acting success, Cedric kept performing stand-up comedy. He toured with other famous comedians like Steve Harvey and Bernie Mac. Their show became a movie called The Original Kings of Comedy. Cedric also had his own sketch comedy show, Cedric the Entertainer Presents. He even wrote a book called Grown-A$$ Man.

He has also hosted game shows. From 2013 to 2014, he hosted Who Wants to Be a Millionaire. He also starred in the TV Land show The Soul Man from 2012 to 2016. Since 2018, he has been a main character in the CBS sitcom The Neighborhood.

Awards and Recognition

Cedric has won many awards for his comedy. In 1990, he won $500 in a national comedy contest. He also won the Miller Genuine Draft Comedy Contest in 1993. BET named him Richard Pryor Comic of the Year. He has also won several NAACP Awards.

In 2008, he was added to the St. Louis Walk of Fame. His star is located at 6166 Delmar. In 2015, he received an honorary doctorate degree from Lincoln University. This was a special honor for his achievements. In 2018, a street in St. Louis was renamed "Cedric The Entertainer Way" to honor him.

Personal Life

Cedric is married to Lorna Wells. They have two children together, Croix and Lucky Rose. He also has an older daughter named Tiara from a previous relationship. Cedric supports his old high school by giving a scholarship each year. He does this through his charity, the Cedric the Entertainer Charitable Foundation. Its motto is "Reaching Out...Giving Back."

Filmography

Cedric at the June 2008 premiere of Get Smart

See also

In Spanish: Cedric the Entertainer para niños