Rickey Smiley facts for kids

Quick facts for kids Rickey Smiley
Smiley appearing on Sister Circle on TV One in 2019
Born	(1968-08-10) August 10, 1968 (age 56) Birmingham, Alabama, U.S.
Alma mater	Alabama State University (BA)
Occupation	Stand-up comedian television host actor radio personality
Known for	Comedy
Children	4

Broderick Dornell Smiley (born August 10, 1968) is a famous American comedian, TV host, actor, and radio personality. He is well-known for his funny prank phone calls. In these calls, Smiley changes his voice and has funny conversations with the people he calls.

He hosts The Rickey Smiley Morning Show, a popular radio show heard across the country. This show is based in Atlanta and is broadcast from its main station, WHTA "Hot 107.9". Rickey Smiley also starred in his own TV show called The Rickey Smiley Show on TV One. You might also have seen him as a regular on the TV show Dish Nation. In 2015, a reality TV series about his life, Rickey Smiley For Real, started airing.

Rickey Smiley's Career Highlights

Rickey Smiley has had a long and successful career in entertainment. He has appeared on many popular comedy shows.

Early TV Appearances

Smiley was the host of BET's ComicView in 2000. He also performed on famous shows like Showtime at the Apollo and HBO's Def Comedy Jam. His comedy often includes playing different made-up characters. Some of his most famous characters are "Bernice Jenkins," "Lil' Daryl," "Rusty Dale," and "Beauford." Bernice Jenkins even has a grandson named Rufus, who appears in some of the prank calls.

Radio Success

In April 2004, Smiley became the morning show host for radio station KBFB in Dallas. His radio show became very popular. It features his famous prank calls, along with news, information, and the latest hip hop music. In 2008, his show, The Rickey Smiley Morning Show, started being broadcast nationwide. It is now heard on many radio stations across the country.

Movies and Books

Rickey Smiley has also acted in movies. He had a role in Ice Cube's movie Friday After Next. He also appeared in All About the Benjamins. In 2017, Smiley released a book called Stand by Your Truth: And Then Run for Your Life.

Famous Prank Calls

Rickey Smiley's prank calls are a big part of his comedy. He uses different voices and characters to make people laugh. Here are some of his most famous calls:

• "Buried Alive" - Smiley pretends to be a funeral home worker who fell asleep in a casket. He calls a cemetery, saying he's been "buried alive" and needs to be dug out!
• "Uncle Melvin" - Smiley calls his uncle, pretending to be a man who lost his girlfriend. He keeps saying "dawg" after almost every sentence.
• "Churches" - Smiley plays two characters who call Church's Chicken. One is an elderly lady who thinks it's a real "church" and asks about Sunday service. The other is "Willie," a man who wants food delivered and asks very specific questions about the menu.
• "Pray For Me" - Using his "Granny" voice, Smiley calls a woman named "Miss Ola Mae Benton Carter Jackson Glenn." He asks her to pray for a church member who had many terrible accidents. He even gets the woman to sing along with him.
• "Is My Daddy Over There" - Smiley plays two young brothers, Lil' Daryl and Brandon. They call a lady, asking if their dad is at her house because he was supposed to bring milk for their cereal.
• "Whose Funeral is Today?" - In his "Granny" voice, Smiley calls a funeral home. She asks about her neighbor, Wilbert Smith, and is shocked to learn he was cremated. Then she asks who else is being buried that week so she can attend.

Rickey Smiley's Personal Life

Rickey Smiley is a member of a fraternity called Omega Psi Phi. He is a lifetime member of this group.

In July 2020, Smiley shared that his daughter, Aaryn, was shot during a road rage incident. She survived.

Sadly, in January 2023, Smiley announced that his 32-year-old son, Brandon Smiley, had passed away. After this difficult time, Rickey Smiley wrote a book about dealing with loss and grief called Sideshow: Living with Loss and Moving Forward with Faith.

Rickey Smiley's Filmography

Rickey Smiley has appeared in several movies and TV shows.

Movies

Television Shows

Comedy Specials

Rickey Smiley's Discography

Rickey Smiley has released several albums featuring his funny prank calls.

• The Best of Comedian Rickey Smiley Vol. I
• Rickey Smiley: Prank Calls Vol. II
• Rickey Smiley: Vol. III
• Rickey Smiley "Off The Hook Volume 4"
• Rickey Smiley: Vol. V
• Rickey Smiley: Vol. 6

See also

• Tube Bar prank calls