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

Rickey Smiley, born on August 10, 1968, is a super funny American comedian, TV host, actor, and radio star! He's famous for his hilarious prank phone calls, where he changes his voice to trick people on the phone.

He hosts The Rickey Smiley Morning Show, a popular radio show heard all over the country. He also starred in his own TV show called The Rickey Smiley Show on TV One. You might also know him from Dish Nation, where he shares his funny opinions, or from his reality TV series, Rickey Smiley For Real, which shows what his life is like.

Rickey Smiley's Career Highlights

Rickey Smiley has had an amazing career in entertainment. He's been a host, actor, and comedian for many years.

Early Comedy Shows

Smiley hosted the TV show ComicView on BET in 2000. He also appeared on other famous comedy shows like Showtime at the Apollo and HBO's Def Comedy Jam. His comedy often includes playing different funny characters. Some of his most well-known characters are "Bernice Jenkins," "Lil' Daryl," "Rusty Dale," and "Beauford."

Radio Star: The Rickey Smiley Morning Show

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

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 wrote a book called Stand by Your Truth: And Then Run for Your Life.

Famous Prank Calls

Rickey Smiley is especially known for his funny prank calls. He uses different voices and characters to make people laugh. Here are some of his most famous ones:

  • "Buried Alive" - Rickey pretends to be a sleepy worker at a funeral home. He calls a cemetery, saying he fell asleep in a casket and was buried alive! He asks them to dig up all the graves to find him.
  • "Come Over" - In this call, Rickey plays a woman named "Gina" who invites a man over. She then surprises him with funny and unexpected details about herself and her grandmother.
  • "Uncle Melvin" - Rickey calls his uncle, pretending to be a man whose girlfriend has left him. He keeps saying "dawg" after every sentence, which makes the call very funny.
  • "Churches" - Rickey plays two different characters who call Church's Chicken. One is an elderly lady who thinks she's calling a real "church" and asks about service times. The other is a man named "Willie" who asks for food delivery and detailed descriptions of the menu items.
  • "Pray For Me" - Using his "Granny" voice, Rickey calls a woman named "Miss Ola Mae Benton Carter Jackson Glenn." He asks her to pray for a church member who has had many crazy accidents, like being stabbed, hit by a train, and losing a leg! He even gets the woman to sing along.
  • "She P-E-E-D" - Rickey calls an elderly woman with his "Granny" voice. The call is so funny that the woman laughs so hard she has an accident!
  • "Is My Daddy Over There" - Rickey plays two young brothers, Lil' Daryl and Brandon. They call a lady, asking if their dad is there because he was supposed to bring home milk for their cereal. They also ask what she's cooked for dinner.
  • "Whose Funeral is Today?" - Rickey, as "Granny," calls a funeral home asking about a deceased neighbor. She's shocked to learn he was cremated and then asks about other funerals to 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, Rickey shared that his daughter, Aaryn, was hurt in a road rage incident. Later, in January 2023, his 32-year-old son, Brandon Smiley, sadly passed away. Rickey later wrote a book about dealing with sadness and loss called Sideshow: Living with Loss and Moving Forward with Faith.

Rickey Smiley's Filmography

Rickey Smiley has appeared in several movies and television shows.

Movies

Year Title Role Notes
2002 Friday After Next Santa Claus
2003 Sweet Hideaway Ducktape
2008 First Sunday Bernice Jenkins
2010 Stomp the Yard: Homecoming Finale MC
2013 Baggage Claim Calvin
2015 ... Child Support Himself TV movie
2019 Iron Grit Interviewee
2021 Miracles Across 125th Street - TV movie

Television Shows

Year Title Role Notes
1992 Def Comedy Jam Himself Episode: "Episode #3.9"
1995 Snaps Himself Episode: "Episode #1.1"
2000 Showtime at the Apollo Himself Episode: "Goodie Mob/Rickey Smiley"
2003 Players Himself Episode: "Less Than Jake, Fred Savage, Jason Sehorn"
2004 ComicView Himself/Host Main Host: Season 13
Super Secret Movie Rules Himself Episode: "Sports Underdogs"
2006 Comedy Central Presents Himself Episode: "Rickey Smiley"
2008-09 1st Amendment Stand Up Himself Recurring Guest
2011–19 Dish Nation Himself/Co-Host Main Co-Host: Season 1-8
2012 Let's Stay Together Steve Episode: "Fear Factor"
Are We There Yet? Salesman Episode: "The Expensive Purse Episode"
2012–14 The Rickey Smiley Show Rickey Smiley Main Cast
2013 Trumpet Awards Himself/Co-Host Main Co-Host
2014–16 Stellar Awards Himself/Co-Host Main Co-Host
2014–18 The Real Housewives of Atlanta Himself Guest: Season 6, Recurring Cast: 7 & 10
2015–17 Rickey Smiley For Real Himself Main Cast
2017 Star Himself Episode: "Code of Silence"
2017–20 Black Music Honors Himself/Co-Host Main Co-Host
2018 Unsung Hollywood Himself Episode: "Ray J" & "Rickey Smiley"
2021 Super Bowl Gospel Celebration Himself/Co-Host Main Co-Host

Comedy Specials

Year Title Role
2003 Latham Entertainment Presents Himself
2011 Rickey Smiley: Open Casket Sharp Himself

Rickey Smiley's Albums

Rickey Smiley has released several albums that feature 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
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