Wanda Sykes

Wanda Sykes Headshot

Actress • Comedian • Writer

Birth Name: Wanda Sykes Hall

Birth Date: March 7, 1964

Age: 60 years old

Birth Place: Portsmouth, Virginia

Wanda Sykes used her outspoken style to create one of the most distinctive voices in comedy. A native of Portsmouth, Virginia, after college she went to work for the National Security Agency. She began appearing in comedy clubs around Washington, D.C. and eventually moved to New York to pursue stand-up full time. Her profile jumped in 1995 when she appeared on "HBO Comedy Showcase" (HBO, 1995-97). She was soon hired as a writer on "The Chris Rock Show" (HBO, 1997-2000), which led to her winning an Emmy as part of the show's staff. It also afforded her the opportunity to appear on screen as well. She began acting on a more regular basis, appearing with Eddie Murphy in "Nutty Professor II: The Klumps" (2000) and with Rock in "Pootie Tang" (2001). On television, she found success as the comic foil to Larry David in "Curb Your Enthusiasm" (HBO, 2000- ). She also had a recurring role on "The Drew Carey Show" (ABC, 1995-2004) and starred in the sitcom "Wanda at Large" (Fox, 2003). Her distinctive tone made her an in-demand voice actor, and she added her talents to a variety of projects including "Barnyard" (2006), "Over the Hedge" (2006), and "Ice Age: Continental Drift" (2012). She joined Julia Louis-Dreyfus for "The New Adventures of Old Christine" (CBS, 2006-10).

She had her first stand-up special in 2003 with "Tongue Untied" (Comedy Central, 2003). She would add more specials with "Sick & Tired" (HBO, 2006), "I'ma Be Me" (HBO, 2009), and "What Happened Ms. Sykes?" (Epix, 2016).

On film, she had a supporting role alongside Steve Carell in "Evan Almighty" (2007), "The Hot Flashes" (2013), and "Bad Moms" (2016). She also had recurring roles on the political comedy "Alpha House" (Amazon, 2013-14) and the sitcom "Black-ish" (ABC, 2014- ). She appeared with Sarah Hyland and Tyler James Williams in the comedy "The Wedding Year" (2019). Sykes brought her stand-up back to centerstage with her special "Wanda Sykes: Not Normal" (Netflix, 2019).

Credits

Saving Bikini Bottom: The Sandy Cheeks MovieStream

Voice
Sue Nahmee/Ma Cheeks
Movie
2024

Wanda Sykes: Tongue Untied

Producer
Show
2023

Wanda Sykes: Tongue Untied

Self
Show
2023

The Mecca of Comedy: The Rise of Standup Comedy in Washington DC

Self
Show
2023

Wanda Sykes: I'm an EntertainerStream

Executive Producer
Stand-up
2023
100%

Wanda Sykes: I'm an EntertainerStream

Self
Stand-up
2023
100%

History of the World: Part IIStream

Actor
Series
2023
75%

History of the World: Part IIStream

Executive Producer
Series
2023
75%

The Daily ShowStream

Host
Series
2023

VelmaStream

Voice
Linda
Series
2023

Albert Brooks: Defending My LifeStream

Self
Movie
2023
97%

Sherri

Guest
Talk
2022

The Jennifer Hudson Show

Guest
Talk
2022

GutsyStream

Self
Docuseries
2022
67%

Cristela Alonzo: Middle ClassyStream

Executive Producer
Stand-up
2022

Stand Out: An LGBTQ+ CelebrationStream

Self
Special
2022

Chivalry

Actor
Jean
Series
2022
81%

Oscar 2022 - Die Academy Awards - Live aus L.A

Host
Show
2022

The Oscars

Host
Show
2022

The 94th Annual Academy Awards

Host
Show
2022

Ms. Pat: Y'all Wanna Hear Something Crazy?

Producer
Show
2022

Q-ForceStream

Voice
Deb
Series
2021
33%

Mapleworth MurdersStream

Actor
Leigh Drain
Series
2021

The UpshawsStream

Actor
Lucretia
Series
2021

The UpshawsStream

Creator
Series
2021

Breaking News in Yuba County

Actor
Rita
Movie
2021

Tig n' SeekStream

Voice
Nuritza
Series
2020

The Throwback With Wanda Sykes

Host
Show
2020

Jimmy Kimmel Live!: Extras

Guest
Show
2020

Celebrity IOUStream

Guest
Reality
2020

Visible: Out on TelevisionStream

Executive Producer
Docuseries
2020
100%

The Trumpet Awards

Host
Show
2020

FriendsgivingStream

Actor
Fairy Gay Mother
Movie
2020
19%

Tiffany Haddish: Black Mitzvah

Executive Producer
Show
2019

Harley QuinnStream

Voice
Queen of Fables
Series
2019
96%

The Kelly Clarkson Show

Guest
Talk
2019

Tiffany Haddish Presents: They ReadyStream

Executive Producer
Series
2019

Scooby-Doo and Guess Who?Stream

Guest Voice
Herself
Series
2019

The Bravest Knight

Voice
Mona the Mayor
Show
2019

Live in Front of a Studio Audience: Norman Lear's All in the Family and The Jeffersons

Actor
Louise Jefferson
Show
2019

Wanda Sykes: Not Normal

Actor
Show
2019

Today With Hoda & Jenna

Guest
Show
2019

The Shop: Uninterrupted

Guest
Show
2019

Strahan & Sara

Guest
Show
2019

The Other TwoStream

Actor
Shuli Kucerac
Series
2019
97%

UglyDolls

Voice
Wage
Movie
2019

The Wedding Year

Actor
Janet/Grandma
Movie
2019

Jexi

Actor
Denice
Movie
2019

A Toast to 2018!

Guest
Show
2018

Today 3rd Hour

Guest
Show
2018

Cultureshock: Chris Rock's Bring the Pain

Self
Show
2018

Unprotected SetsStream

Executive Producer
Series
2018

A Little Help With Carol BurnettStream

Guest Star
Series
2018

The 29th Annual GLAAD Media Awards

Actor
Show
2018

Access Live

Guest
Show
2017

VampirinaStream

Voice
Gregoria
Series
2017

Face Value

Executive Producer
Show
2017

STEVE on Watch

Guest
Talk
2017

Live with Kelly and Ryan

Guest
Talk
2017

Talk Show the Game ShowStream

Executive Producer
Game Show
2017

Talk Show the Game ShowStream

Guest
Game Show
2017

SnatchedStream

Actor
Ruth
Movie
2017
36%

A Bad Moms ChristmasStream

Actor
Dr. Karl
Movie
2017
32%

Martha & Snoop's Potluck Dinner Party

Guest
Reality
2016

What Happened ... Ms. Sykes?

Self
Show
2016

Harry

Guest
Talk
2016

Ask the StoryBots

Guest Star
Doctor
Show
2016

Today's Take

Guest
Show
2016

ChelseaStream

Guest
Talk
2016
41%

Ice Age: Collision CourseStream

Voice
Granny
Movie
2016
18%

Bad MomsStream

Actor
Dr. Karl
Movie
2016
59%

Just for Laughs Presents Wanda Sykes: Better Looking and Stylish

Host
Show
2015

Jay Leno's GarageStream

Guest Star
Reality
2015

The Late Show With Stephen ColbertStream

Guest
Talk
2015

Close Up With The Hollywood Reporter

Guest
Show
2015

Celebrity Family FeudStream

Guest
Game Show
2015

The Chris Gethard ShowStream

Guest
Talk
2015

Lip Sync BattleStream

Contestant
Reality
2015

The Late Late Show With James Corden

Guest
Talk
2015

Hot OnesStream

Guest
Reality
2015

Repeat After Me

Guest
Reality
2015

Hammy's Boomerang Adventure

Voice
Stella
Show
2014

Penn Zero: Part-Time HeroStream

Guest Star
Shirley B. Awesome
Series
2014

Laugh Lessons With Kevin Nealon

Self
Show
2014

Black-ishStream

Guest Star
Series
2014
92%

The Meredith Vieira Show

Guest
Talk
2014

Late Night With Seth MeyersStream

Guest
Talk
2014

Broad CityStream

Guest Star
Dara
Series
2014
99%

The Queen Latifah Show

Guest
Talk
2013

The Real

Guest
Talk
2013

Hollywood Game Night

Guest
Game Show
2013

Alpha HouseStream

Guest Star
Series
2013
79%

The Hot Flashes

Actor
Florine Clarkston
Movie
2013

Katie

Guest
Talk
2012

Steve Harvey

Guest
Talk
2012

Finding Your RootsStream

Guest
Reality
2012

Oprah's Next Chapter

Guest
Show
2012

Ice Age: Continental DriftStream

Voice
Granny
Movie
2012
37%

DreamWorks Holiday Classics

Actor
Show
2011

The Rosie Show

Guest
Show
2011

The Chew

Guest
Talk
2011

RidiculousnessStream

Guest
Reality
2011

Bubble GuppiesStream

Guest Voice
Series
2011

Bob's BurgersStream

Guest Voice
Series
2011

RioStream

Voice
Chloe
Movie
2011
72%

ConanStream

Actor
Talk
2010

ConanStream

Guest
Talk
2010

The Talk

Guest
Talk
2010

Talk Stoop

Guest
Show
2010

Lopez Tonight

Guest
Show
2009

The Wanda Sykes Show

Host
Talk
2009

Wanda Sykes: I'ma Be MeStream

Actor
Stand-up
2009

Wanda Sykes: I'ma Be MeStream

Writer
Stand-up
2009

The Jay Leno Show

Guest
Show
2009

The Dr. Oz Show

Guest
Talk
2009

Watch What Happens Live With Andy CohenStream

Guest
Talk
2009

Drop Dead DivaStream

Guest Star
Judge Yvonne Wright
Series
2009
78%

The Tonight Show With Conan O'Brien

Guest
Talk
2009

Late Night With Jimmy Fallon

Guest
Talk
2009

RuPaul's Drag RaceStream

Judge
Series
2009

The Wendy Williams Show

Guest
Talk
2008

Back at the BarnyardStream

Voice
Bessy the Cow
Series
2007

Chelsea Lately

Actor
Talk
2007

Chelsea Lately

Guest
Talk
2007

The Graham Norton ShowStream

Guest
Talk
2007

Evan AlmightyStream

Actor
Rita
Movie
2007
24%

The New Adventures of Old ChristineStream

Actor
Barb
Series
2006

The New Adventures of Old ChristineStream

Guest Star
Barb
Series
2006

Hammy's Boomerang Adventure

Voice
Stella
Movie
2006

Barnyard: The Original Party Animals

Voice
Bessy the cow
Movie
2006

Over the Hedge

Voice
Stella the Skunk
Movie
2006

My Super Ex-Girlfriend

Actor
Carla Dunkirk
Movie
2006

Clerks IIStream

Actor
Wife in Mooby's
Movie
2006
63%

The Adventures of Brer Rabbit

Voice
Sister Moon
Movie
2006

Brother Bear 2

Voice
Innoko
Movie
2006

Bondgården

Voice
Bessy the Cow
Movie
2006

The Late Late Show With Craig Ferguson

Guest
Talk
2005

Monster-in-LawStream

Actor
Ruby
Movie
2005
18%

Peppa PigStream

Voice
Mommy Cat
Series
2004

The Ellen DeGeneres Show

Guest
Talk
2003

The Ellen DeGeneres Show

Host
Talk
2003

Last Comic Standing

Executive Producer
Reality
2003

Last Comic Standing

Guest
Reality
2003

Last Comic Standing

Guest Star
Reality
2003

Wanda at Large

Actor
Show
2003

Wanda at Large

Producer
Show
2003

Jimmy Kimmel Live!Stream

Guest
Talk
2003

Wanda Sykes: Tongue Untied

Actor
Show
2003

Crank YankersStream

Guest Voice
Gladys Murphy
Series
2002

The Downer Channel

Self
Show
2001

Down to EarthStream

Actor
Wanda
Movie
2001
20%

Pootie TangStream

Actor
Biggie Shorty
Movie
2001
27%

Curb Your EnthusiasmStream

Guest Star
Herself
Series
2000
92%

Caroline's Comedy Hour

Guest
Show
2000

FuturamaStream

Guest Voice
Bev
Series
1999

The Daily Show With Jon StewartStream

Guest
Talk
1999

Comedy Central PresentsStream

Actor
Series
1998

Will & GraceStream

Guest Star
Cricket
Series
1998

Tomorrow Night

Actor
Wanda
Movie
1998

The View

Guest
Talk
1997

Just for Laughs

Host
Show
1996

The Drew Carey ShowStream

Guest Star
Series
1995

Late Night With Conan O'Brien

Guest
Talk
1993

The Tonight Show With Jay Leno

Guest
Talk
1992

The SimpsonsStream

Guest Voice
School Therapist
Series
1989
85%

The Oprah Winfrey ShowStream

Guest
Talk
1986

Good Morning America

Guest
News
1975

Sesame StreetStream

Guest
Series
1969

Today

Guest
News
1952

News aboutWanda Sykes

Kate Walsh, Peter Krause, Jamie Lee Curtis

‘The Drew Carey Show’ Ended 20 Years Ago: 15 Big-Name Guest Stars From the Show

Kim Kardashian as Nikki LePree on 'Drop Dead Diva'

Kim Kardashian, Gina Torres & More Stars Who Appeared on ‘Drop Dead Diva,’ Which Ended 10 Years Ago

The Upshaws - Mike Epps as Bennie, Wanda Sykes as Lucretia, Melinda Chilton as Millicent

Netflix Renews ‘The Upshaws’ For Season 4 (Part 6)

The Upshaws. Jenifer Lewis as Dr. Pearl Edmunds in episode 402 of The Upshaws. Cr. Lisa Rose/Netflix © 2023

‘The Upshaws’ Season 4 Introduces Jenifer Lewis & Marsha Warfield (VIDEO)

Heléne Yorke and Drew Tarver in 'The Other Two'

‘The Other Two’ Sets Season 3 Premiere Date, Plus Returning & New Guest Stars (PHOTOS)

Which Era the ‘History of the World: Part II’ Cast Would (And Wouldn’t) Visit (VIDEO)

Josh Gad, Wanda Sykes, and Zazie Beetz against a blue blackground.
Q&A

How ‘History of the World: Part II’ Finally Came Together (VIDEO)

'History of the World, Part II' stars Nick Kroll, Wanda Sykes, and Ike Barinholtz
Review

Roush Review: ‘History of the World, Part II’ Is a Rollicking By-the-(Mel)-Brooks Romp

Ike Barinholtz - 'History of the world part ll'
Preview

Why ‘History of the World, Part II’ Is the Raunchy, Riotous Follow-up Fans Have Craved

Jack Black in 'History of the World, Part II'

‘History of the World, Part II’ Trailer Reveals Jack Black, Jason Alexander & More Guest Stars (VIDEO)

Mel Brooks in 'History of the World Part II'

‘History of the World, Part II’ Teaser: See Mel Brooks, Danny DeVito, Taika Waititi, Quinta Brunson, Seth Rogen & More (VIDEO)

'History of the World: Part II' Episode 1 with Wanda Sykes

‘History of the World, Part II’: Wanda Sykes, Nick Kroll & Ike Barinholtz Star in Mel Brooks Series (PHOTOS)

Quinta Brunson on ‘Kimmel,’ Amber Riley on ‘Ziwe’ & 9 More of the Best Late Night Interviews of 2022

The Upshaws - Wanda Sykes as Lucretia, Kim Fields as Regina, Mike Epps as Bennie

‘The Upshaws’ Season 3 Release Date Revealed, Here’s Our First Look (PHOTOS)

The Daily Show Hosts 2023

‘The Daily Show’: Chelsea Handler, Kal Penn, Leslie Jones, & More Will Guest Host in 2023

Velma voice cast, Sam Richardson, Constance Wu, Glenn Howerton

‘Velma’: Sam Richardson, Constance Wu & More Join Voice Cast

Wanda Sykes as Lucretia, Kim Fields as Regina in episode 201 of The Upshaws
Q&A

Kim Fields on ‘Buddy Comedy’ Vibe With Wanda Sykes in ‘The Upshaws’ Season 2

Wanda Sykes, Kim Fields & Mike Epps in 'The Upshaws'
Q&A

‘The Upshaws’ Creator on Season 2 & the Beauty of Multi-Cam Sitcoms

Wanda Sykes and Mike Epps in The Upshaws - Season 2 Part 1

‘The Upshaws’ Face Life’s Ups & Downs in Season 2, Part 1 Trailer (VIDEO)

Tiffany Haddish at the MTV Movie and TV Awards

Our All-Time Favorite Parodies From the MTV Movie & TV Awards (VIDEO)

Best Lines of the Week (March 25-31): ‘You Are the Bane of My Existence’

Wanda Sykes The Oscars 2022

Oscars Host Wanda Sykes Reacts to Will Smith & Chris Rock Slap (VIDEO)

94th Academy Awards - Governors Ball
Review

Critic’s Notebook: Drama at the 2022 Oscars (Though Not in the Awards)

Amy Schumer, Regina Hall, and Wanda Sykes for the Oscars

Oscars 2022: What Did You Think of the 3 Hosts?

Oscars press conference - Regina Hall and Wanda Sykes
Preview

Oscars 2022: Regina Hall & Wanda Sykes Preview the Ceremony’s Hosting Format

Nick Cannon

12 Talk Shows That Lasted Just One Season

Amy Schumer, Regina Hall, and Wanda Sykes

Oscars Promo: Amy Schumer, Regina Hall & Wanda Sykes Celebrate ‘Winning’ (VIDEO)

The Oscars 2022 key art

The Oscars: Did They Get Hosting Right in 2022? (POLL)

Good Morning America Oscars Host Announcement

Amy Schumer Talks Hosting Oscars With Regina Hall & Wanda Sykes (VIDEO)

The Oscars Amy Schumer Regina Hall Wanda Sykes

The Oscars 2022: Amy Schumer, Regina Hall & Wanda Sykes Reportedly Set to Host

Jon Hamm and Larry David in Curb Your Enthusiasm

15 Stars Who Played Themselves on ‘Curb Your Enthusiasm’ (VIDEO)

Wanda Sykes, Mel Brooks, and Nick Kroll

Hulu Orders ‘History of the World, Part II’ Series From Mel Brooks

Q-Force Netflix

Netflix’s ‘Q-Force’ Adds Sean Hayes, David Harbour & More to Voice Cast (VIDEO)

The Upshaws Diamond Lyons Wanda Sykes Mike Epps

Comedy on Netflix in May 2021: ‘The Upshaws,’ ‘Special’ & ‘Master of None’

Mike Epps and Wanda Sykes in The Upshaws
Exclusive

Stars of Netflix’s ‘The Upshaws’ & ‘Family Reunion’ on the Importance of Comedy (VIDEO)

Creative Arts Emmys 2020 Predictions

15 Categories to Watch at the 2020 Creative Arts Emmy Awards

Weird Al Bojack Horseman

13 ‘BoJack Horseman’ Celebrity Cameos That Surprised Us (PHOTOS)

Anthony Anderson
Exclusive

‘All in the Family’ & ‘The Jeffersons’ Live Cast on Working With Norman Lear (VIDEO)

ROSEANNE BARR, JOHN GOODMAN

ABC Cancels ‘Roseanne’ Revival After Roseanne Barr’s Racist Tweet

Curb Your Enthusiasm - Seinfeld cast

Prett-ay, Prett-ay, Prett-ay, Pretty Good: Our Favorite ‘Curb Your Enthusiasm’ Guest Stars