Wanda Sykes is widely regarded by her peers as one of the funniest stand-up comedians in the industry, and has been recognized as one of Entertainment Weekly's 25 Funniest People in America. Her clever and witty stand-up comedy has propelled her career into various directions.
Prior to her success in stand-up, Wanda was seen in Comedy Central's Wanda Does It (2004),where she attempted various non-showbiz jobs. Her debut book, "Yeah I Said It," was published by Simon and Schuster in September 2004, and is a humorous collection of essays that touch on life, family, and current events.
In 2003, Wanda starred in Fox's Wanda at Large (2003),which she also wrote and produced. Her one-hour Comedy Central special, Wanda Sykes: Tongue Untied (2003),showcases her impressive comedic skills. Additionally, she has appeared on HBO's Curb Your Enthusiasm (2000) and Comedy Central's Crank Yankers (2002),providing the voice of Gladys Murphy.
Born in Portsmouth, Virginia, and raised in Maryland, Wanda is the daughter of Marion Louise (Peoples),a banker, and Harry Ellsworth Sykes, a US Army colonel. She graduated with a Bachelor of Science degree from Hampton University, and began her stand-up career at a Coors Light Super talent Showcase in Washington, DC, where she performed in front of a live audience for the first time.
Wanda spent five years as part of the critically acclaimed HBO's The Chris Rock Show (1997),where she was nominated for three Primetime Emmy Awards and won the Emmy for Outstanding Writing for a Variety, Music, or Comedy Special in 1999. She also won the American Comedy Award for Outstanding Female Stand-Up Comic in 2001, and a second Emmy in 2002 for her work on Inside the NFL (1977). In 2003, she earned a Comedy Central Commie Award for Funniest TV Actress. Her writing credits include the 1999 MTV Video Music Awards (1999),The MTV Movie Awards, The 74th Annual Academy Awards (2002),The Keenen Ivory Wayans Show (1997),and Wanda at Large (2003).
Wanda has also appeared in various feature films, including Pootie Tang (2001),Nutty Professor II: The Klumps (2000),Down to Earth (2001),and Monster-in-Law (2005).
