Jay Pharoah
A comedian with a preternatural gift for mimicry, whose spot-on impressions of Barack Obama and Ben Carson became defining highlights of Saturday Night Live.
Born 1987 (age 39)·American actor & comedian·Birthday: October 14·Millennials
Biography
Jay Pharoah burst onto the national stage with a weapon most comedians spend years honing: a seemingly effortless, eerily accurate impressionist's ear. Joining Saturday Night Live at just 22, he quickly became the show's secret weapon for political and celebrity satire. His Barack Obama was not just a vocal copy but a capture of cadence and cool; his Ben Carson a masterpiece of deadpan, sleepy-eyed delivery. While these impressions made him famous, Pharoah's talents ran deeper—a skilled stand-up with a rapid-fire, energetic style and a capable actor in voice and live-action roles. His post-SNL career has been a mix of voice work in animated hits like 'The Mitchells vs. The Machines,' film roles, and a continued presence on the stand-up circuit, proving there's substantial talent behind the famous voices.
Millennials
1981–1996
The first digital natives. Grew up with the internet, came of age during 9/11 and the 2008 crash. Highly educated, deeply indebted, slower to marry and buy houses. Redefined work, identity, and what it means to be an adult.
Jay was born in 1987, placing them squarely in the Millennials. The events that shaped this generation — the internet revolution, 9/11, and the 2008 financial crisis — shaped the world they entered and the choices available to them.
#1 When Jay Was Born
The biggest hits of 1987
#1 Movie
Three Men and a Baby
Best Picture
The Last Emperor
#1 TV Show
The Cosby Show
Jay's Life & Times
The world at every milestone
1987Born
Black Monday stock market crash
Gas: $0.90/galHome: $72,400Min wage: $3.35/hrPresident: Ronald Reagan"Walk Like an Egyptian" — The BanglesBest Picture: The Last Emperor
1992Started school
LA riots after Rodney King verdict
Gas: $1.13/galHome: $84,300Min wage: $4.25/hrPresident: George H.W. Bush"End of the Road" — Boyz II MenBest Picture: Unforgiven
2000Became a teenager
Y2K passes without incident; contested Bush-Gore election
Gas: $1.51/galHome: $119,600Min wage: $5.15/hrPresident: Bill Clinton"Breathe" — Faith HillBest Picture: Gladiator
2003Could drive
US invades Iraq; Human Genome Project completed
Gas: $1.59/galHome: $146,000Min wage: $5.15/hrPresident: George W. Bush"In Da Club" — 50 CentBest Picture: The Lord of the Rings: The Return of the King
2005Could vote
Hurricane Katrina devastates New Orleans; YouTube launches
Gas: $2.30/galHome: $167,500Min wage: $5.15/hrPresident: George W. Bush"We Belong Together" — Mariah CareyBest Picture: Crash
2008Turned 21
Barack Obama elected first Black US president; financial crisis
Gas: $3.27/galHome: $153,100Min wage: $6.55/hrPresident: George W. Bush"Low" — Flo RidaBest Picture: Slumdog Millionaire
2017Turned 30
#MeToo movement; solar eclipse crosses the US
Gas: $2.42/galHome: $195,000Min wage: $7.25/hrPresident: Donald Trump"Shape of You" — Ed SheeranBest Picture: The Shape of Water
2026Age 39 today
Gas: $3.91/galPresident: Donald Trump
Key Achievements
- Was a featured cast member on Saturday Night Live from 2010 to 2016, known for political impressions.
- Performed a widely praised impression of President Barack Obama on SNL during his tenure.
- Voiced the character Noah in the Academy Award-nominated animated film 'The Mitchells vs. The Machines'.
Did You Know?
He can perform impressions of over 70 different celebrities and public figures.
His stage name 'Pharoah' is a nod to the ancient Egyptian rulers, chosen because he liked how it sounded.
He taught himself impressions by watching television and practicing in front of a mirror as a child.
“I just listen. I listen to the melody of how people talk.”
