J. B. Smoove facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
J. B. Smoove
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Smoove in February 2024
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| Born |
Jerry Angelo Brooks
December 16, 1965 Plymouth, North Carolina, U.S.
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| Education | Mount Vernon High School Norfolk State University |
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| Years active | 1991–present |
| Spouse(s) |
Shahidah Omar
(m. 2007) |
| Children | 1 |
Jerry Angelo Brooks (born December 16, 1965), known as J. B. Smoove, is an American actor, comedian, and writer. He started his career in 1995 on Def Comedy Jam. Later, he was a writer and performer on NBC's Saturday Night Live from 2003 to 2006.
J. B. Smoove is famous for his roles on HBO's Curb Your Enthusiasm (2007–2024). He also starred in the CBS sitcom The Millers (2013–2015). He played a funny, made-up version of himself on the BET show Real Husbands of Hollywood (2013–2016).
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J. B. Smoove's Early Life and School
J. B. Smoove was born in Plymouth, North Carolina. When he was three years old, his family moved to Mount Vernon, New York. He spent a lot of time with his mom's family in Plymouth. He says this time helped him find his comedy style.
He lived in the Levister Towers housing projects in Mount Vernon. He grew up there with his two younger brothers. His father passed away when J. B. Smoove was 15 years old.
In 1983, Smoove finished high school at Mount Vernon High School. He then went to Norfolk State University in Virginia. There, he studied engineering and graphic design. Before becoming famous, he worked as a perfume maker. He also sold fire extinguishers door-to-door.
J. B. Smoove's Comedy Career
J. B. Smoove started his career doing stand-up comedy. This is when he changed his name from Jerry Brooks to "J. B. Smoove." He wanted a name that sounded cool and smooth.
Working on Saturday Night Live
Smoove had regular roles on shows like Everybody Hates Chris. He also worked on Saturday Night Live (SNL). On SNL, he was a writer and sometimes appeared in sketches. He even played Jimmy "JJ" Walker in a funny version of the 1970s show Good Times.
He won an award in 2007 for his writing on Saturday Night Live. It was the Writers Guild of America award for Best Comedy/Variety Series. He worked on SNL for three years.
Starring in Curb Your Enthusiasm
J. B. Smoove became a main actor on the HBO comedy Curb Your Enthusiasm. He joined the show in its sixth season in 2007. He played the character Leon Black. Smoove got this role right after he left SNL.
He was living on the East Coast at the time. But he visited Los Angeles for a friend's funeral. This trip allowed him to try out for Curb Your Enthusiasm. His character Leon became very popular. Smoove even wrote a book as his character Leon, which came out in 2017.
Other TV Shows and Movies
Smoove had a big role on the FOX sitcom 'Til Death. He was on the show for two seasons with Brad Garrett and Joely Fisher. In 2008, he was a judge on The Gong Show with Dave Attell. He also appeared in The Simpsons and American Dad! as a voice actor.
In 2012, his first TV comedy special came out. It was called JB Smoove: That's How I Dooz It on Comedy Central. He also voiced Hackus in The Smurfs 2 movie in 2013. He was in the movie Movie 43.
Smoove hosted a talk show called Four Courses with J.B. Smoove on the MSG Network. He also voiced Dr. Ray De Angelo Harris in the video game Grand Theft Auto V. In 2013, he became a regular actor on the CBS comedy The Millers, playing Ray.
In 2014, Smoove hosted the show Last Comic Standing on NBC. He also appeared on Jerry Seinfeld's web series Comedians in Cars Getting Coffee. In 2017, he played Santa Claus in Sia's music video "Santa's Coming for Us".
Recent Projects
In 2019, Smoove was a guest judge on The Masked Singer. He started voicing Frank the Plant in the animated series Harley Quinn in 2019. He also played Julius Dell in the Marvel Studios movies Spider-Man: Far From Home (2019) and Spider-Man: No Way Home (2021).
In 2020, Smoove starred in Mapleworth Murders. He won an Emmy Award in 2021 for his role in that show. Since 2021, he has been in many commercials for Caesars Sportsbook. He plays Caesar in these ads.
Giving Back to the Community
J. B. Smoove is on the board of directors for the Boys & Girls Club in Mount Vernon, New York. This organization helps young people. In 2017, he hosted a special event for the Boys and Girls Clubs in Beverly Hills, California.
J. B. Smoove's Personal Life
In 2007, J. B. Smoove married singer Shahidah Omar. They live in Los Angeles. He also has an adult daughter named Jerrica from an earlier relationship.
He is a big fan of New York sports teams. He supports the New York Knicks (basketball), New York Yankees (baseball), and the New York Jets (football). In 2019, he played in the NBA All-Star Celebrity Game. He was on the team with other celebrities from North Carolina.
Since 2018, J. B. Smoove has been vegan. This means he does not eat any animal products.
Comedy Specials
- JB Smoove: That's How I Dooz It (2012)
Images for kids
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J. B. Smoove in 2012
See also
In Spanish: J. B. Smoove para niños
