Wanda Sykes

Wanda Sykes has been called "one of the funniest stand up comics" by her peers and ranks among Entertainment Weekly's 25 Funniest People in America. Her smart-witted stand up has sent her career in many different areas. She was recently seen in Comedy Central's "Wanda Does It" (2004), where she tried various non-showbiz jobs. Her first book, "Yeah I Said It," published by Simon and Schuster, hit bookstores in September 2004. "Yeah I Said It" is a hilarious collection of essays touching on life, family and current events. In 2003, she was seen on Fox's "Wanda at Large" (2003) which she wrote, produced and starred in. She also has a one hour Comedy Central special called Wanda Sykes: Tongue Untied (2003) (V). In addition, she can be seen on HBO's "Curb Your Enthusiasm" (2000) or heard on Comedy Central's "Crank Yankers" (2002) as the voice of Gladys Murphy. Wanda was born in Portsmouth, Virginia and raised in Maryland. She graduated with a Bachelor of Science degree from Hampton University. Her stand-up career began at a Coors Light Super talent Showcase in Washington, DC where she performed for the first time in front of a live audience.

She spent 5 years as part of the HBO's critically acclaimed "The Chris Rock Show" (1997). As a performer and writer on the show, she was nominated for three Primetime Emmy's and in 1999 won the Emmy for "Outstanding Writing for a Variety, Music or Comedy Special." In 2001, she won the American Comedy Award for "Outstanding Female Stand Up Comic". She won a second Emmy in 2002 for her work on "Inside the NFL" (1977). In 2003, Wanda earned a Comedy Central Commie Award for "Funniest TV Actress." Other writing credits include: the MTV Video Music Awards 1999 (1999) (TV), The MTV Movie Awards, The 74th Annual Academy Awards (2002) (TV), "The Keenen Ivory Wayans Show" (1997), and "Wanda at Large" (2003).