Cedric the Entertainer
A king of observational comedy, his warm, everyman style and infectious laugh brought mainstream success to a generation of Black comedians.
Born 1964 (age 62)·American comedian and actor·Birthday: April 24·Baby Boomers
Biography
Cedric the Entertainer didn't just tell jokes; he invited audiences into his world with a booming laugh and relatable stories about family, church, and everyday life. Born Cedric Kyles in Missouri, his big break came from the stand-up circuit, leading to a hosting gig on BET's 'ComicView'. His role as the wisecracking gym teacher on 'The Steve Harvey Show' introduced his charm to a national sitcom audience, but it was the seismic 'The Original Kings of Comedy' tour and film that cemented his place in comedy history. That success propelled him into leading film roles in franchises like 'Barbershop' and 'The Steve Harvey Show', where his persona—a blend of pastor-like cadence and playful mischief—proved both bankable and beloved, opening doors for broader representation in Hollywood comedy.
Baby Boomers
1946–1964
The largest generation in history at the time. Shaped by postwar prosperity, the Vietnam War, the sexual revolution, and Watergate. They questioned every institution their parents built — then ran them.
Cedric was born in 1964, placing them squarely in the Baby Boomers. The events that shaped this generation — postwar prosperity, civil rights, Vietnam, and the counterculture — shaped the world they entered and the choices available to them.
#1 When Cedric Was Born
The biggest hits of 1964
#1 Movie
Mary Poppins
Best Picture
My Fair Lady
#1 TV Show
Bonanza
Cedric's Life & Times
The world at every milestone
1964Born
Civil Rights Act signed; Beatles arrive in America
Gas: $0.30/galHome: $13,450Min wage: $1.25/hrPresident: Lyndon B. Johnson"I Want to Hold Your Hand" — The BeatlesBest Picture: My Fair Lady
1969Started school
Apollo 11: humans walk on the Moon; Woodstock festival
Gas: $0.35/galHome: $15,550Min wage: $1.60/hrPresident: Richard Nixon"Sugar, Sugar" — The ArchiesBest Picture: Midnight Cowboy
1977Became a teenager
Star Wars premieres; Elvis dies
Gas: $0.62/galHome: $31,800Min wage: $2.30/hrPresident: Jimmy Carter"Tonight's the Night" — Rod StewartBest Picture: Annie Hall
1980Could drive
John Lennon shot and killed in New York
Gas: $1.19/galHome: $47,200Min wage: $3.10/hrPresident: Jimmy Carter"Call Me" — BlondieBest Picture: Ordinary People
1982Could vote
Michael Jackson releases Thriller
Gas: $1.22/galHome: $55,200Min wage: $3.35/hrPresident: Ronald Reagan"Physical" — Olivia Newton-JohnBest Picture: Gandhi
1985Turned 21
Live Aid concerts raise money for Ethiopian famine
Gas: $1.12/galHome: $62,900Min wage: $3.35/hrPresident: Ronald Reagan"Careless Whisper" — Wham!Best Picture: Out of Africa
1994Turned 30
Nelson Mandela elected president of South Africa
Gas: $1.11/galHome: $90,400Min wage: $4.25/hrPresident: Bill Clinton"The Sign" — Ace of BaseBest Picture: Forrest Gump
2004Turned 40
Indian Ocean tsunami kills over 230,000
Gas: $1.88/galHome: $157,300Min wage: $5.15/hrPresident: George W. Bush"Yeah!" — UsherBest Picture: Million Dollar Baby
2014Turned 50
Russia annexes Crimea; Ebola outbreak in West Africa
Gas: $3.37/galHome: $160,700Min wage: $7.25/hrPresident: Barack Obama"Happy" — Pharrell WilliamsBest Picture: Birdman
2024Turned 60
AI reshapes industries; Paris Olympics
Gas: $3.31/galHome: $372,000Min wage: $7.25/hrPresident: Joe Biden"Espresso" — Sabrina CarpenterBest Picture: Anora
2026Age 62 today
Gas: $3.91/galPresident: Donald Trump
Key Achievements
- He was a central figure in the landmark 'The Original Kings of Comedy' tour and Spike Lee-directed film in 2000.
- He starred as Eddie in the successful 'Barbershop' film franchise, a role that showcased his comedic ensemble strength.
- He hosted the daytime version of 'Who Wants to Be a Millionaire' for its 12th season.
- He created and starred in the TV Land sitcom 'The Soul Man', which ran for five seasons.
Did You Know?
Before comedy, he worked as a client representative for State Farm Insurance.
He is an ordained minister.
He is a dedicated fan of the St. Louis Cardinals baseball team.
“I'm not a comedian who tells jokes. I'm a comedian who tells stories.”
