Wanda Sykes

Wanda Yvette Sykes (born March 7, 1964) is an American stand-up comedian, actress, and writer. She was first recognized for her work as a writer on The Chris Rock Show, for which she won a Primetime Emmy Award in 1999. In 2004, Entertainment Weekly named Sykes as one of the 25 funniest people in America. She is known for her recurring roles on CBS's The New Adventures of Old Christine (2006–10), and HBO's Curb Your Enthusiasm (2001–2011). She received Primetime Emmy Award for Outstanding Guest Actress in a Comedy Series nominations for her roles in ABC's Black-ish (2015–2022), and Amazon's The Marvelous Mrs. Maisel. She stars in The Upshaws (2021–2026) on Netflix, a HBO Max comedy series, The Other Two (2019–2023), and The Good Fight (2021).

Aside from her television appearances, Sykes has had a career in film, appearing in Monster-in-Law (2005), My Super Ex-Girlfriend (2006), Evan Almighty (2007), and License to Wed (2007). She has voiced characters in animated films including Over the Hedge, Barnyard, Brother Bear 2 (all in 2006), Rio (2011), Ice Age: Continental Drift (2012), Ice Age: Collision Course (2016), and UglyDolls (2019).

Early life and family Wanda Sykes was born in Portsmouth, Virginia. Her family moved to Maryland when she was in the third grade. Her mother, Marion Louise (née Peoples), worked as a banker and her father, Harry Ellsworth Sykes, was a colonel in the U.S. Army at the Pentagon.

Sykes' family history was researched for an episode of the 2012 PBS genealogy program Finding Your Roots With Henry Louis Gates Jr. Her ancestry was traced back to a 1683 court case involving her ancestor, Elizabeth Banks, a free white woman and indentured servant, who gave birth to a biracial child, Mary Banks, fathered by a slave, who inherited her mother's free status. According to historian Ira Berlin, a specialist in the history of American slavery, the Sykes family history is "the only such case that I know of in which it is possible to trace a black family rooted in freedom from the late 17th century to the present."

Sykes attended Arundel High School in Gambrills, Maryland. She graduated from Hampton University in Hampton, Virginia, as a contracting specialist for the National Security Agency in Fort Meade, Maryland,

Career 1990s Sykes began her stand-up career at a Coors Light Super Talent Showcase in Washington, D.C., where she performed for the first time in front of a live audience in 1987. Her first big break came when opening for Chris Rock at Caroline's Comedy Club. and also made many appearances on the show. The writing team was nominated for four Emmys, and in 1999, won for Outstanding Writing for a Variety, Music, or Comedy Special.thumbnail Since then, she has appeared in the films Pootie Tang and on TV shows such as Curb Your Enthusiasm. In 2003, she starred in her own short-lived Fox network sitcom, Wanda at Large. The same year, Sykes appeared in an hour-long Comedy Central special, Tongue Untied. That network also ranked her No. 70 on its list of the 100 greatest all-time stand ups. She served as a correspondent for HBO's Inside the NFL, hosted Comedy Central's popular show Premium Blend, and voiced a recurring character named Gladys on Comedy Central's puppet show Crank Yankers. She also had a short-lived show on Comedy Central called Wanda Does It.

2000s Sykes wrote Yeah, I Said It, a book of humorous observations on various topics, published in September 2004. In 2006, she landed a recurring role as Barb, opposite Julia Louis-Dreyfus, on the sitcom The New Adventures of Old Christine; she became a series regular during the series' third season in 2008. She also guest starred in the Will & Grace episode "Buy, Buy Baby" in 2006. She provided voices for the 2006 films Over the Hedge, Barnyard, and Brother Bear 2. She had a part in My Super Ex-Girlfriend and after playing in Evan Almighty, had a bit part in License to Wed. Sykes's first HBO Comedy Special, entitled Wanda Sykes: Sick & Tired, premiered on October 14, 2006; it was nominated for a 2007 Emmy Award. In 2008, she performed as part of Cyndi Lauper's True Colors Tour for LGBT rights.

In October 2008, Sykes appeared in a television ad for the Think Before You Speak Campaign, an advertising campaign by GLSEN aimed at curbing homophobic slang in youth communities. In the 30-second spot, she uses humor to scold a teenager for saying "that's so gay" when he really means "that is so bad". In March 2009, Sykes became the host of a late-night talk show on Saturdays on Fox, The Wanda Sykes Show which was scheduled to premiere November 7, 2009. In April 2009, she was named in Out magazine's "Annual Power 50 List", landing at number 35.

In May 2009, Sykes was the featured entertainer for the annual White House Correspondents' Association dinner, becoming both the first African American woman and the first openly LGBTQ person to get the role. Cedric the Entertainer had been the first African American to become the featured entertainer in 2005. At this event, Sykes made controversial headlines as she responded to conservative radio talk show host Rush Limbaugh's comments regarding President Barack Obama. Limbaugh, in reference to Obama's presidential agenda, had said "I hope he fails". In response, Sykes quipped: "I hope his [Limbaugh's] kidneys fail, how 'bout that? Needs a little waterboarding, that's what he needs." Her second comedy special, Wanda Sykes: I'ma Be Me premiered on HBO in October 2009.

In 2013, Sykes appeared in eight episodes of Amazon's Alpha House, a political comedy series written by Doonesbury creator Garry Trudeau. Sykes plays Rosalyn DuPeche, a Democratic Senator from Illinois and the next door neighbor of four Republican senators living together in a house on Capitol Hill. Sykes also appeared in Season Two, which became available in October 2014. The series was canceled after the second season. In 2018, Sykes became the head writer for the revived tenth season of Roseanne. This attracted attention due to star Roseanne Barr's history of controversial political remarks. On May 29, 2018, Sykes announced on Twitter that she would no longer be working on the series after a since-deleted Twitter rant by Roseanne Barr about Valerie Jarrett; Roseanne was subsequently canceled by ABC.

2020s In 2021, Sykes began starring on a Netflix sitcom, The Upshaws. Sykes co-hosted the 94th Academy Awards with Regina Hall and Amy Schumer on March 27, 2022. The telecast is most known for its infamous moment where Will Smith slapped Chris Rock. Sykes condemned the actions of Smith stating on Ellen "For [The Academy] to let him stay in that room and enjoy the rest of the show and accept his award, I was like, 'How gross is this? This is just the wrong message.' You assault somebody, you get escorted out of the building and that's it. For them to let him continue, I thought it was gross". In January 2023, Sykes guest hosted The Daily Show after Trevor Noah's departure.

Personal life

Sykes was married to record producer Dave Hall from 1991 to 1998. In October 2008, Sykes and Alex Niedbalski married; Niedbalski is French. They met in 2006 and became parents in April 2009, when Niedbalski gave birth to a pair of fraternal twins.

Sykes came out to her parents in 2004 when she was 40; both initially had difficulty accepting her homosexuality. They declined to attend her wedding, which led to a brief period of estrangement; they have since reconciled with Sykes.

During a September 19, 2011, appearance on The Ellen DeGeneres Show, Sykes announced that she had been diagnosed earlier in the year with ductal carcinoma in situ (DCIS). Although DCIS is a non-invasive "stage zero breast cancer", Sykes had elected to have a bilateral mastectomy to lower her chances of getting breast cancer. Sykes splits time between Media, Pennsylvania, a suburb of Philadelphia and Cherry Grove, New York.

Activism Sykes publicly expressed being devastated when California voters passed state Proposition 8. She said: "with the legislation that they passed, I can't sit by and just watch. I just can't do it." She has continued to be active in same-sex marriage issues hosting events and emceeing fundraisers. She has also worked with PETA on promoting dog anti-chaining legislation in her home state. She has been an outspoken supporter of Ruth Ellis Center in Detroit after the organization's staff sent Sykes a letter asking her to visit, during her 2010 tour's stop in Detroit.

Sykes often uses X to express her political views, including on May 25, 2021, retweeting a photograph by Evan Vucci of Gianna Floyd, daughter of George Floyd, entering the White House. On July 17, 2021, she also tweeted, "Congress MUST pass the #ForThePeopleAct", and called on her followers to join the "Good Trouble Vigil", commemorating the passing of activist and Congressman John Lewis.

Filmography Film + List of film credits Year Title Role Notes 1998 Tomorrow Night Wanda (Mel's Date) credited as Wanda Sykes-Hall 2000 Nutty Professor II: The Klumps Chantal 2001 Down to Earth Wanda Pootie Tang Biggie Shorty 2003 MTV: Reloaded The Oracle Short film 2005 Monster-in-Law Ruby 2006 The Adventures of Brer Rabbit Sister Moon Voice; Direct-to-video Over the Hedge Stella Voice Hammy's Boomerang Adventure Voice; short film Clerks II Angry Customer My Super Ex-Girlfriend Carla Dunkirk Barnyard Bessy Voice Brother Bear 2 Innoko Voice; Direct-to-video CondomNation Linda 2007 Evan Almighty Rita Daniels License to Wed Nurse Borman 2011 Rio Chloe the Canada goose Voice The Muppets Officer Ethel Cameo, deleted scene 2012 Ice Age: Continental Drift Granny Voice 2013 The Hot Flashes Florine Clarkston 2016 Ice Age: Collision Course Granny Voice Bad Moms Dr. Karl 2017 Snatched Ruth A Bad Moms Christmas Dr. Karl 2018 Hurricane Bianca 2: From Russia with Hate Prison Matron 2019 UglyDolls Wage Voice The Wedding Year Janet / Grandma Jexi Denice 2020 Friendsgiving Fairy Gay Mother 2021 Breaking News in Yuba County Rita The One and Only Dick Gregory Herself Documentary 2024 Saving Bikini Bottom: The Sandy Cheeks Movie Sue Nahmee 2025 Undercard Cheryl 'No Mercy' Stewart

Television + List of television credits Year Title Role Notes 1997–2000The Chris Rock ShowVarious Characters 7 episodes1999 Best of the Chris Rock Show TV specialDr. Katz, Professional Therapist Wanda Voice, 2 episodes2001The Downer Channel Various 2 episodesThe Drew Carey Show Christine Watson 3 episodes 2001–11 Curb Your Enthusiasm Herself 9 episodes 2002–05;2019–22Crank Yankers Wanda / Gladys Murphy Voice, 19 episodes 2003Wanda at Large Wanda Mildred Hawkins 19 episodes Chappelle's ShowHerself Episode: "The Best of Chappelle's Show: Volume 2 Mixtape" Mad TV Season 9 episode 903 2004 Wanda Does It 6 episodes 2006 Will & Grace Cricket Walker Episode: "Buy, Buy Baby" Sick and Tired Herself HBO comedy special 2006–10 The New Adventures of Old Christine Barbara "Barb" Baran 54 episodes; (Recurring Seasons 1–2, Starring Seasons 3–5) 2007–11 Back at the Barnyard Bessy Voice, 50 episodes 2009 Wanda Sykes: I'ma Be Me 2013 The Simpsons School Therapist / Counselor Voice, episode: "What Animated Women Want" Real Husbands of Hollywood Wanda Sykes 2 episodes 2013–14 Alpha House Senator Rosalyn DuPeche Recurring role 2014, 2019 Last Week Tonight with John Oliver Herself 2 episodes 2015 Repeat After Me 1 episode 2015, 2017 Penn Zero: Part-Time Hero Shirley B. Awesome Voice, 2 episodes 2015–20 Black-ish Daphne Lido 16 episodes 2016 Bob's Burgers Sofa Queen Voice, episode: "Sacred Couch" Animals Chance Voice, 2 episodes What Happened... Ms. Sykes? Herself Epix comedy special 2017 Lip Sync Battle Episode: "Don Cheadle vs. Wanda Sykes" Doc McStuffins Thea Voice, episode: "The Emergency Plan" 2017–21 Vampirina Gregoria Voice, main cast 2017–19 Broad City Dara Recurring role 2018 Ask the StoryBots Doctor Episode: "How Do People Catch a Cold?" BoJack Horseman Mary-Beth Voice, episode: "INT. SUB" 2019 The Bravest Knight Mona the Mayor Voice, episode: "Cedric & the Pixies" Scooby-Doo and Guess Who? Herself Voice, episode: "Peebles' Pet Shop of Terrible Terrors!" Live in Front of a Studio Audience Louise Jefferson Episode: "Norman Lear's All in the Family and The Jeffersons" Wanda Sykes: Not Normal Herself Netflix comedy special Summer Camp Island Ethel Episode: "The Great Elf Invention Convention" Big Mouth Ghost of Harriet Tubman Voice, episode: "Duke" The Marvelous Mrs. Maisel Moms Mabley Episode: "A Jewish Girl Walks Into the Apollo..." RuPaul's Drag Race Herself Episode: "Bring Back My Queens!" 2019–23 The Other Two Shuli Kucerac Recurring role 2019–20Harley Quinn Tsaritsa / Queen of Fables Voice, 3 episodes 2020 Mapleworth Murders Leigh Drain Episode: "Killer Voices – Part 2" 2020–21 Tig n' Seek Nuritza Voice, 15 episodes 2021 The Good Fight Allegra Durado 3 episodes Q-Force Deb Voice, main role 2021–26 The Upshaws Lucretia Turner Main role, 60 episodes; also co-creator, writer, executive producer 2022 94th Academy Awards Herself (co-host) TV special Chivalry Jean Shrill Main role Gutsy Herself Episode: "Gutsy Women Have the Last Laugh" 2023 Star Wars: The Bad Batch Phee Genoa Voice, 5 episodes History of the World, Part II Various 8 episodes; also writer and executive producer The Daily Show Herself (guest host) 4 Episodes (Week of Jan. 23) Jimmy Kimmel Live! Herself (guest) Episode: October 4 2023–24 Velma Linda Blake Voice, 9 episodes 2024 Rock Paper Scissors Dian Voice, episode: "Trash" 2026 Survival of the Thickest Dr. Terri Lynn 3 episodes

Video game + List of video game credits Year Title Role Notes 2022 Tiny Tina's Wonderlands Frette Voice

Writer + List of writing credits Year Title Role Notes 1997–1998 The Keenen Ivory Wayans Show Writer 11 episodes 1997–2000 The Chris Rock Show Wrote 33 episodes; Co-produced 14 episodes 1998 Comedy Central Presents Herself and writer (as Wanda Sykes-Hall) Episode: "Wanda Sykes-Hall" 2001 Best of the Chris Rock Show: Volume 2 Writer TV special The Downer Channel Wrote the first 2 episodes 2002 The 74th Annual Academy Awards Special material written by Award show 2002–2003 Premium Blend Writer 4 episodes/Stand-up 2003 Wanda Sykes: Tongue Untied Stand-up Wanda at Large Creator, writer and producer 19 episodes 2004 Wanda Does It Creator, writer and executive producer 6 episodes 2006 Wanda Sykes: Sick and Tired Writer Stand-up 2009 Wanda Sykes: I'ma Be Me Primetime Emmy Awards 1998 Outstanding Writing for a Variety Series The Chris Rock Show 1999 2000 2001 2007 Outstanding Variety Special Wanda Sykes: Sick and Tired 2010 Wanda Sykes: I'ma Be Me Outstanding Writing for a Variety Special 2017 Outstanding Guest Actress in a Comedy Series Black-ish (episode: "Lemons") 2018 Black-ish (episode: "Juneteenth") 2019 Outstanding Writing for Variety Special Wanda Sykes: Not Normal Outstanding Variety Special 2020 Tiffany Haddish: Black Mitzvah Outstanding Guest Actress in a Comedy Series The Marvelous Mrs. Maisel (episode: "A Jewish Girl Walks Into the Apollo...") Outstanding Character Voice-Over Performance Crank Yankers (episode: "Bobby Brown, Wanda Sykes & Kathy Griffin") 2023 Crank Yankers (episode: "Wanda Sykes, JB Smoove & Adam Carolla") Outstanding Variety Special (Pre-Taped) Wanda Sykes: I'm an Entertainer Outstanding Writing for a Variety Special 2026 Wanda Sykes: Legacy

Golden Globe Awards Year Category Work Result 2024 Best Performance in Stand-Up Comedy on Television Wanda Sykes: I'm an Entertainer

Grammy Awards Year Category Work Result 2024 Best Comedy Album Wanda Sykes: I'm An Entertainer

NAACP Image Awards Year Category Work Result 2005 Outstanding Supporting Actress in a Comedy Series Curb Your Enthusiasm 2006 2007 The New Adventures of Old Christine 2010 Outstanding Talk Series The Wanda Sykes Show Outstanding Variety Wanda Sykes: I'ma be Me 2016 Outstanding Character Voice-Over Performance (Television or Theatrical) Penn Zero: Part-Time Hero 2020 Outstanding Variety (Series or Special) Wanda Sykes: Not Normal 2022 Outstanding Supporting Actress in a Comedy Series The Upshaws 2023 2024 Outstanding Variety Show (Series or Special) Wanda Sykes: I'm An Entertainer 2025 Outstanding Supporting Actress in a Comedy Series The Upshaws 2026

Miscellaneous awards and nominations + List of awards and nominations received by Wanda Sykes Year Award Category Work Result 2001 American Comedy Awards Funniest Female Stand-Up Comic Herself 2004 BET Comedy Awards Outstanding Lead Actress in a Comedy Series Wanda At Large 2005 Outstanding Supporting Actress in a Theatrical Film Monster-In-Law 2007 Annie Awards Best Voice Acting in an Animated Feature Production Over the Hedge 2010 GLAAD Media Awards Stephen F. Kolzak Award Herself 2014 New York Women in Film & Television Muse Award 2015 Triumph Awards Activism in the Arts 2025 Critics Choice Association Celebration of LGBTQ+ Cinema & Television The Queerties Comic

Discography + List of recording credits Year Title Label Formats 2003 Tongue Untied Comedy Central DVD/Download/Streaming 2007 Sick and Tired Image 2010 I'ma Be Me HBO 2016 What Happened... Ms. Sykes? Epix/Sykes Entertainment Audio and Video Download/Streaming (2018) 2019 Not Normal Netflix Streaming 2023 I’m an Entertainer 2026 Legacy