Jay Pharoah: Difference between revisions

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Browse history interactively
← Previous editNext edit →
Content deleted Content added
VisualWikitext
LAPD officer kneeling on his neck
→‎Television: Kanye appeared on the newest episode of FG
Tags: Mobile edit Mobile web edit
(200 intermediate revisions by more than 100 users not shown)
Line 1: Line 1:
{{short description|American actor, comedian, and impressionist}}
{{Infobox person
{{use mdy dates |date=June 2020}}
{{Infobox comedian
| name = Jay Pharoah
| name = Jay Pharoah
| image = Jay Pharoah by Gage Skidmore.jpg
| image = Jay Pharoah by Gage Skidmore.jpg
Line 6: Line 8:
| birth_date = {{Birth date and age|1987|10|14}}
| birth_date = {{Birth date and age|1987|10|14}}
| birth_place = [[Chesapeake, Virginia]], U.S.
| birth_place = [[Chesapeake, Virginia]], U.S.
| occupation = Actor, comedian
| active = 2010–present
| medium = {{hlist|Stand-up|television|film}}
| years_active = 2010–present
| education = [[Virginia Commonwealth University]]
| education = [[Tidewater Community College]] ([[Associate of Arts|AA]], [[Associate of Science|AS]])<br>[[Virginia Commonwealth University]]
| genre = {{hlist|[[Observational comedy]]|[[impressionist (entertainment)|impressions]]|[[sketch comedy]]|[[blue comedy]]|[[racial humor]]|[[satire]]}}
| subject = {{hlist|[[African-American culture]]|[[American politics]]|[[popular culture|pop culture]]|[[racism]]|[[race relations]]|[[current events]]|[[human sexuality]]}}
| website = {{url|http://www.jaypharoahworld.com/}}
| website = {{url|http://www.jaypharoahworld.com/}}
}}
}}
'''Jared Antonio Farrow''' (born October 14, 1987), better known by his stage name '''Jay Pharoah''', is an American actor, stand-up comedian, and [[impressionist (entertainment)|impressionist]]. He joined the cast of [[NBC]]'s ''[[Saturday Night Live]]'' in 2010, for its [[Saturday Night Live (season 36)|thirty-sixth season]].<ref name=WashingtonPost>{{cite news |author= |coauthors= |title=Virginia native Jay Pharoah snags cast spot on "Saturday Night Live"; will he be their new Obama? Pharoah also raps|url=http://voices.washingtonpost.com/reliable-source/2010/09/this_just_in_saturday_night_li.html |quote= |work=[[Washington Post]] |date=September 8, 2010 |accessdate=2010-09-27 }}</ref> In 2015, he was ranked the 55th greatest ''Saturday Night Live'' cast member by ''[[Rolling Stone]]'' magazine.<ref name="rollingstone.com">{{Cite web|url=https://www.rollingstone.com/tv/lists/saturday-night-live-all-141-cast-members-ranked-20150211/55-jay-pharoah-20150211|title=55. Jay Pharoah - 'Saturday Night Live': All 141 Cast Members Ranked|website=Rolling Stone|access-date=2016-06-12}}</ref>
'''Jared Antonio Farrow''' (born October 14, 1987), better known by his stage name '''Jay Pharoah''', is an American stand-up comedian impressionist and actor. Pharoah was a cast member on the [[NBC]] [[sketch comedy]] series ''[[Saturday Night Live]]'' from 2010 to 2016.<ref name=WashingtonPost>{{cite news |title=Virginia native Jay Pharoah snags cast spot on "Saturday Night Live"; will he be their new Obama? Pharoah also raps|url=http://voices.washingtonpost.com/reliable-source/2010/09/this_just_in_saturday_night_li.html |newspaper=[[Washington Post]] |date=September 8, 2010 |access-date=2010-09-27 }}</ref> In 2015, he was ranked the 55th greatest ''Saturday Night Live'' cast member by ''[[Rolling Stone]]'' magazine.<ref name="rollingstone.com">{{Cite magazine|url=https://www.rollingstone.com/tv/lists/saturday-night-live-all-141-cast-members-ranked-20150211/55-jay-pharoah-20150211|title=55. Jay Pharoah - 'Saturday Night Live': All 141 Cast Members Ranked|magazine=Rolling Stone|access-date=2016-06-12|archive-date=January 20, 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180120124027/https://www.rollingstone.com/tv/lists/saturday-night-live-all-141-cast-members-ranked-20150211/55-jay-pharoah-20150211|url-status=dead}}</ref>


==Early life==
==Early life==
Pharoah was born and raised in [[Chesapeake, Virginia]]. He began performing impersonations at age six and cites [[Gilbert Gottfried]]'s character [[Iago (Aladdin)|Iago]] in ''[[Aladdin (1992 Disney film)|Aladdin]]'' as his first voice, explaining, "My father put me in a talent competition a couple of months later, and out of the whole thing I got fifth place."<ref name=FabFour>{{cite news |last= Moynihan |first=Rob |title=SNL's Fab Four |work=[[TV Guide]] |date=March 7, 2011 |pages=44–45 }}</ref>


In 2005, Pharoah graduated from [[Indian River High School (Virginia)|Indian River High School]] in Chesapeake. One of his characters, Principal Daniel Frye, is heavily influenced by IRHS's former principal,<ref>{{cite web |work=The Virginian-Pilot |url=http://hamptonroads.com/2014/06/after-27-years-indian-river-principal-james-frye-retires |title=After 27 years, Indian River Principal James Frye retires |publisher= |via=HamptonRoads.com |date=2014-06-12 |access-date=2014-11-11 |archive-date=October 17, 2015 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20151017080944/http://hamptonroads.com/2014/06/after-27-years-indian-river-principal-james-frye-retires |url-status=dead }}</ref> James Frye.<ref>{{cite web |work=The Virginian-Pilot |url=http://hamptonroads.com/2010/12/jay-pharoah-pays-tribute-his-chesapeake-principal-snl |title=Jay Pharoah pays tribute to his Chesapeake principal on 'SNL' |publisher= |via=HamptonRoads.com |date=2010-12-14 |access-date=2012-01-15 |archive-date=April 26, 2016 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160426220624/http://hamptonroads.com/2010/12/jay-pharoah-pays-tribute-his-chesapeake-principal-snl |url-status=dead }}</ref> Pharoah graduated from [[Tidewater Community College]] with an [[Associate degree|Associate of Arts]] degree in 2008 and an Associate of Science in 2010.<ref>{{cite web|work=TCC Today|url=https://news.tcc.edu/jay-pharoah-general-studies-liberal-arts/|title=Jay Pharoah: From here to "Saturday Night Live"|date=January 28, 2016|access-date=July 21, 2023|archive-date=October 17, 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20151017080944/https://news.tcc.edu/jay-pharoah-general-studies-liberal-arts/|url-status=dead}}</ref> He briefly attended [[Virginia Commonwealth University]].<ref name=WashingtonPost/>
Pharoah began doing impersonations at age six and cites [[Gilbert Gottfried]]'s character in ''[[Aladdin (1992 Disney film)|Aladdin]]'', [[Iago (Aladdin)|Iago]], as his first voice, explaining, "My father put me in a talent competition a couple of months later, and out of the whole thing I got fifth place."<ref name=FabFour>Moynihan, Rob. "''SNL''{{'}}s Fab Four", ''[[TV Guide]]'', March 7, 2011, Pages 44-45</ref>

In 2005, Pharoah graduated from [[Indian River High School (Virginia)|Indian River High School]] in Chesapeake. One of his characters, Principal Daniel Frye, is heavily influenced by IRHS's former principal,<ref>{{cite web|author=The Virginian-Pilot© June 12, 2014 |url=http://hamptonroads.com/2014/06/after-27-years-indian-river-principal-james-frye-retires# |title=After 27 years, Indian River Principal James Frye retires|publisher=HamptonRoads.com |date=2014-06-12 |accessdate=2014-11-11}}</ref> James Frye.<ref>{{cite web|author=The Virginian-Pilot© December 14, 2010 |url=http://hamptonroads.com/2010/12/jay-pharoah-pays-tribute-his-chesapeake-principal-snl |title=Jay Pharoah pays tribute to his Chesapeake principal on 'SNL'|publisher=HamptonRoads.com |date=2010-12-14 |accessdate=2012-01-15}}</ref> Pharoah went on to study business at [[Tidewater Community College]] and [[Virginia Commonwealth University]].<ref name=WashingtonPost/>


==Career==
==Career==
[[File:Jay Pharoah.jpg|thumb|right|Pharoah at The Stand in June 2016.]]
[[File:Jay Pharoah.jpg|thumb|right|Pharoah at The Stand in June 2016.]]
Pharoah has been performing stand-up comedy in community theaters and at comedy clubs in Virginia since he was 15.<ref>Sources conflict on when he started standup. The [http://voices.washingtonpost.com/reliable-source/2010/09/this_just_in_saturday_night_li.html ''Washington Post''] source indicates he started at 15.</ref> He at one point toured with [[Corey Holcomb]] and [[Charlie Murphy]].<ref name=WashingtonPost/>
Pharoah has been performing stand-up comedy in community theaters and at comedy clubs in Virginia since he was 15.<ref>Sources conflict on when he started standup. The [http://voices.washingtonpost.com/reliable-source/2010/09/this_just_in_saturday_night_li.html ''Washington Post''] source indicates he started at 15.</ref> He at one point toured with [[Corey Holcomb]] and [[Charlie Murphy (actor)|Charlie Murphy]].<ref name=WashingtonPost/>


He became known for his many celebrity impressions,<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.nbcuniversal.presscentre.com/content/detail.aspx?ReleaseID=1683&NewsAreaId=2 |title=NBC'S 'SATURDAY NIGHT LIVE' PREMIERES SEPTEMBER 25 WITH SNL ALUM AMY POEHLER & CHART-TOPPING MUSICAL GUEST KATY PERRY |publisher=Nbcuniversal.presscentre.com |date=2010-09-07 |accessdate=2012-01-15 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120311215526/http://www.nbcuniversal.presscentre.com/content/detail.aspx?ReleaseID=1683&NewsAreaId=2 |archive-date=2012-03-11 |url-status=dead }}</ref> including [[Barack Obama]], [[Will Smith]], [[Jay-Z]], [[50 Cent]], [[Eddie Murphy]], [[Chris Rock]], [[Kanye West]], [[Stephen A. Smith]], [[Peter Dinklage]], and [[Denzel Washington]].<ref name=WashingtonPost/>
He became known for his many celebrity impressions,<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.nbcuniversal.presscentre.com/content/detail.aspx?ReleaseID=1683&NewsAreaId=2 |title=NBC'S 'SATURDAY NIGHT LIVE' PREMIERES SEPTEMBER 25 WITH SNL ALUM AMY POEHLER & CHART-TOPPING MUSICAL GUEST KATY PERRY |publisher=Nbcuniversal.presscentre.com |date=2010-09-07 |access-date=2012-01-15 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120311215526/http://www.nbcuniversal.presscentre.com/content/detail.aspx?ReleaseID=1683&NewsAreaId=2 |archive-date=2012-03-11 |url-status=dead }}</ref> including [[Barack Obama]], [[Will Smith]], [[DMX (rapper)|DMX]], [[Jay-Z]], [[50 Cent]], [[Eddie Murphy]], [[Chris Rock]], [[Dave Chappelle]], [[Kanye West]], [[Stephen A. Smith]], [[Peter Dinklage]], and [[Denzel Washington]].<ref name=WashingtonPost/>


Pharoah became an internet phenomenon when his impersonation of [[Barack Obama]] became widely seen on [[YouTube]].<ref name=WashingtonPost/><ref name=FabFour/>
Pharoah became an internet phenomenon when his impersonation of Barack Obama became widely seen on [[YouTube]].<ref name=WashingtonPost/><ref name=FabFour/>


===2010&ndash;2016: ''Saturday Night Live''===
===2010&ndash;2016: ''Saturday Night Live''===
In 2010, Pharoah was hired by ''[[Saturday Night Live]]'' as a featured player for the show's 36th season. Pharoah debuted on ''Saturday Night Live'' on September 25, 2010 and was regarded by Rob Moynihan of ''[[TV Guide]]'' as the "breakout player" for that season, for his impersonations of [[Barack Obama]], [[Ben Carson]], [[Kanye West]], [[Jay-Z]], [[Stephen A. Smith]], [[Will Smith]], [[Eddie Murphy]], [[Tracy Morgan]], [[Chris Rock]], [[Chris Tucker]], [[Michael Strahan]], [[Lil Wayne]], [[Kendrick Lamar]], and [[Denzel Washington]].<ref name=WashingtonPost/><ref name=FabFour/> He debuted his ''SNL'' impersonation of Barack Obama in the 38th season premiere on September 15, 2012, succeeding [[Fred Armisen]] in that role.<ref name=TVGuide>"Inbox". ''[[TV Guide]]''. October 8, 2012.</ref> ''[[Rolling Stone]]'' magazine described him as the "Jimmy Fallon of 2 Chainz impressions."<ref name="rollingstone.com"/>
In 2010, Pharoah was hired by ''[[Saturday Night Live]]'' as a featured performer for the show's 36th season. Pharoah debuted on ''Saturday Night Live'' on September 25, 2010 and was regarded by Rob Moynihan of ''[[TV Guide]]'' as the "breakout player" for that season, for his impressions of [[Barack Obama]], [[Ben Carson]], [[Kanye West]], [[Jay-Z]], [[Stephen A. Smith]], [[Will Smith]], [[Eddie Murphy]], [[Tracy Morgan]], [[Chris Rock]], [[Dave Chappelle]], [[Chris Tucker]], [[Michael Strahan]], [[Lil Wayne]], [[Kevin Hart]], [[Kendrick Lamar]], [[Shaquille O'Neal|Shaq]] and [[Denzel Washington]].<ref name=WashingtonPost/><ref name=FabFour/> He debuted his ''SNL'' impersonation of Barack Obama in the 38th season premiere on September 15, 2012, succeeding [[Fred Armisen]] in that role.<ref name=TVGuide>"Inbox". ''[[TV Guide]]''. October 8, 2012.</ref> ''[[Rolling Stone]]'' magazine described him as the "Jimmy Fallon of 2 Chainz impressions."<ref name="rollingstone.com"/>


Pharoah appeared in the independent film ''[[Lola Versus]]'', released by [[Fox Searchlight Pictures]] in June 2012. In 2014, he had a small role in the buddy cop film ''[[Ride Along (film)|Ride Along]]'', starring [[Ice Cube]] and [[Kevin Hart]], and appeared in the independent film ''[[Balls Out (2014 film)|Balls Out]]'', a sport comedy starring fellow ''SNL'' cast members [[Beck Bennett]] and [[Kate McKinnon]].<ref name=HuffPost>{{cite web|url=http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2013/07/24/kate-mckinnon-shooting-intramural-in-austin-this-summer_n_3646030.html|title=Kate McKinnon, Jay Pharoah Shooting Indie 'Intramural' In Austin This Summer|last=Luippold|first=Ross|work=[[The Huffington Post]]|date=2013-07-24|accessdate=2014-03-10}}</ref>
Pharoah appeared in the independent film ''[[Lola Versus]]'', released by [[Fox Searchlight Pictures]] in June 2012. In 2014, he had a small role in the buddy cop film ''[[Ride Along (film)|Ride Along]]'', starring [[Ice Cube]] and [[Kevin Hart]], and appeared in the independent film ''[[Balls Out (2014 film)|Balls Out]]'', a sport comedy starring fellow ''SNL'' cast members [[Beck Bennett]] and [[Kate McKinnon]].<ref name=HuffPost>{{cite web|url=http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2013/07/24/kate-mckinnon-shooting-intramural-in-austin-this-summer_n_3646030.html|title=Kate McKinnon, Jay Pharoah Shooting Indie 'Intramural' In Austin This Summer|last=Luippold|first=Ross|work=[[The Huffington Post]]|date=2013-07-24|access-date=2014-03-10}}</ref>


In 2016, he appeared in a [[Television advertisement|commercial]] for [[Old Navy]],<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.campaignlive.com/article/old-navy-enlists-snl-alums-improvise-series-online-spots/1393554|title=Old Navy enlists ''SNL'' alums to improvise series of online spots|publisher=www.campaignlive.com|access-date=2016-06-12}}</ref> alongside fellow ''SNL'' cast members [[Nasim Pedrad]] and [[Cecily Strong]]. On August 8, 2016, it was announced Pharaoh alongside fellow cast member [[Taran Killam]] would be exiting the show ahead of its 42nd season.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://shadowandact.com/2016/08/08/jay-pharoah-is-saying-goodbye-to-saturday-night-live-to-pursue-other-opportunities/|title=Jay Pharoah Is Saying Goodbye to 'Saturday Night Live' to Pursue Other Opportunities|website=shadowandact.com}}</ref> Pharoah hosted the [[American Music Awards of 2016]] with model [[Gigi Hadid]]. Pharoah has been working on his first album with record producer Myles William.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://pitchfork.com/news/67935-jay-pharoah-saturday-night-live-preps-new-mixtape/|title=Jay Pharoah ("Saturday Night Live") Preps New Mixtape - Pitchfork|website=pitchfork.com}}</ref>
In 2016, he appeared in a [[Television advertisement|commercial]] for [[Old Navy]],<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.campaignlive.com/article/old-navy-enlists-snl-alums-improvise-series-online-spots/1393554|title=Old Navy enlists ''SNL'' alums to improvise series of online spots|publisher=www.campaignlive.com|access-date=2016-06-12}}</ref> alongside fellow ''SNL'' cast members [[Nasim Pedrad]] and [[Cecily Strong]]. On August 8, 2016, it was announced Pharoah alongside fellow cast member [[Taran Killam]] would be exiting the show ahead of its 42nd season.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://shadowandact.com/2016/08/08/jay-pharoah-is-saying-goodbye-to-saturday-night-live-to-pursue-other-opportunities/|title=Jay Pharoah Is Saying Goodbye to 'Saturday Night Live' to Pursue Other Opportunities|website=shadowandact.com}}</ref> Pharoah hosted the [[American Music Awards of 2016]] with model [[Gigi Hadid]]. Pharoah has been working on his first album with record producer Myles William.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://pitchfork.com/news/67935-jay-pharoah-saturday-night-live-preps-new-mixtape/|title=Jay Pharoah ("Saturday Night Live") Preps New Mixtape - Pitchfork|website=pitchfork.com|date=August 30, 2016 }}</ref>


==Personal life==
===''List of Impressions''===
===2020 encounter with police===
In June 2020, amidst the ongoing [[George Floyd protests]], Pharoah released footage showing how, in April 2020, he was detained at gunpoint<ref>{{cite news |url=https://abc7.com/jay-pharoah-snl-saturday-night-live-lapd/6245853/ |title='SNL' alum Jay Pharoah says LAPD officers held him at gunpoint, kneeled on his neck |date=June 13, 2020 |work=ABC7.com |access-date=June 25, 2020 }}</ref> by the [[Los Angeles Police Department]], with an officer kneeling on Pharoah's neck in the same manner as that which caused the [[murder of George Floyd]].<ref name=unilad>{{Cite news |first=Cameron |last=Frew |date=June 13, 2020 |url=https://www.unilad.co.uk/film-and-tv/snl-comedian-jay-pharoah-releases-footage-of-police-kneeling-on-his-neck/|title=SNL Comedian Jay Pharoah Releases Footage Of Police Kneeling On His Neck|website=www.unilad.co.uk}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news |first=Sophie |last=Lewis |date=June 13, 2020 |url=https://www.cbsnews.com/news/jay-pharoah-surveillance-footage-lapd-officer-kneeling-neck-george-floyd/|title=Former "SNL" star Jay Pharoah releases surveillance footage of LAPD officer apparently kneeling on his neck|website=www.cbsnews.com}}</ref> Pharoah had met the generic description of a "black man in grey sweatpants and a grey shirt." After the officers [[Google (verb)|Googled]] Pharoah's name, they apologized and let him go.<ref name=unilad/>


==Filmography==
Notable celebrities include; [[Barack Obama]], [[Will Smith]], [[Jay-Z]], [[50 Cent]], [[Bernie Mac]], [[Michael B. Jordan]], [[Shaquille O'Neal]], [[Shannon Sharpe]], [[Jamie Foxx]], [[DMX (rapper)]], DC Youngfly, [[Dave Chappelle]], [[Dwayne Johnson]], [[Kevin Hart]], [[Eddie Murphy]], [[Charlie Murphy]], [[Morgan Freeman]], [[Katt Williams]], [[Kendrick Lamar]], [[Chris Brown]], [[Chris Tucker]], [[Chris Rock]], [[Lil Wayne]], [[John Mulaney]], Peter and Stewie from [[Family Guy]], [[Kanye West]],[[Christopher Walken]], [[Stephen A. Smith]], [[Peter Dinklage]], [[Tracy Morgan]], [[Michael Strahan]] & [[Denzel Washington]].


== Filmography ==
===Film===
{| class="wikitable"
=== Film and television ===
|+Key
* ''[[Saturday Night Live]]'' (2010–2016)
| style="background:#FFFFCC;" | {{dagger|alt=Films that have not yet been released}}
* ''[[Lola Versus]]'' (2012)
|Denotes films that have not yet been released
* ''[[Ride Along (film)|Ride Along]]'' (2014)
|-
* ''[[Balls Out (2014 film)|Balls Out]]'' (2014)
|}
* ''[[Top Five]]'' (2014)
{| class="wikitable"
* ''Can I Be Me?'' (2015)<ref>https://www.rottentomatoes.com/m/jay_pharoah_can_i_be_me</ref>
! Year
* ''[[Get a Job (2016 film)|Get a Job]]'' (2016)
! Title
* ''[[Sing (2016 American film)|Sing]]'' (2016) - Meena's Grandfather (voice)
! Role
* ''[[Match Game]]'' (2017) - 2 episodes
! Notes
* ''[[White Famous]]'' (2017)
|-
* ''[[Family Guy]]'' (2017) - Kanye Canes (voice, "Don't Be a Dickens on Christmas")
| 2012
* ''[[Unsane (film)|Unsane]]'' (2018) - Nate Hoffman
| ''[[Lola Versus]]''
* ''[[Corner Shop Show]]'' (2018) - Himself ("Zombies on The High Street")
| Randy
* ''[[Drop the Mic]]'' (2018) - Himself (1 episode)
|
* ''[[Family Guy]]'' (2018) - Kanye West (voice, "Married... with Cancer")
|-
* ''[[A Million Little Things]]'' (2019) - Omar Howard
| 2013
* ''[[Live in Front of a Studio Audience]]'' - J.J. Evans (Episode: “''All in the Family'' and ''Good Times'')
* ''[[Bad Hair (2020 film)|Bad Hair]]'' (2020)
| ''[[Metegol (2013 Argentine film)|Underdogs]]''
| Announcer 2
* ''[[Spinning Gold]]'' (TBA) - [[Frankie Crocker]]
|
* ''[[All My Life (upcoming film)|All My Life]]'' (TBA)
|-
| 2014
| ''[[Ride Along (film)|Ride Along]]''
| Runflat
|
|-
| 2014
| ''[[Balls Out (2014 film)|Balls Out]]''
| Dan
|
|-
| 2014
| ''[[Top Five]]''
| Mike
|
|-
| 2016
| ''[[Get a Job (2016 film)|Get a Job]]''
| Skeezy D
|
|-
| 2016
| ''[[Sing (2016 American film)|Sing]]''
| Meena's Grandfather (voice)
|
|-
| 2018
| ''[[Unsane]]''
| Nate Hoffman
|
|-
| 2019
| ''How to Fake a War''
| Harry Hope
|
|-
| 2020
| ''[[Bad Hair (2020 film)|Bad Hair]]''
| Julius
|
|-
| 2020
| ''[[2 Minutes of Fame]]''
| Deandre
|
|-
| 2020
| ''[[All My Life (2020 film)|All My Life]]''
| Dave Berger
|
|-
| 2021
| ''[[The Mitchells vs. the Machines]]''
| Noah (voice)
|
|-
| 2021
| ''[[Resort to Love]]''
| Jason King
|
|-
| 2022
| ''[[The Blackening (film)|The Blackening]]''
| Shawn
|
|-
| 2023
| ''[[Spinning Gold]]''
| [[Cecil Holmes (music executive)|Cecil Holmes]]
|
|-
| 2023
| ''[[The Venture Bros.: Radiant Is the Blood of the Baboon Heart]]''
| Nuno Blood (voice)
|-
|2023
|''Urkel Saves Santa: The Movie''
|[[Jay-Z]] (voice)
|Direct-to-Video
|}

===Television===
{| class="wikitable"
!Year
!Title
!Role
!Notes
|-
| 2010–16
| ''[[Saturday Night Live]]''
| Various
| Main cast (season 36-41)
|-
| 2011
| ''The Cookout 2''
| Eddie O
| TV movie
|-
| 2014
| ''[[Portlandia]]''
| [[Jay-Z]] (voice)
| Episode: "Ecoterrorists"
|-
| 2016–17
| ''[[Legends of Chamberlain Heights]]''
| Montrel, Randy (voice)
| Main cast
|-
| 2017
| ''[[BoJack Horseman]]''
| Man on the Street, Dashawn Manheim (voice)
| 2 episodes
|-
| 2017
| ''[[White Famous]]''
| Floyd Mooney
| Main cast
|-
| 2017–24
| ''[[Family Guy]]''
| [[Skee-Lo]], [[Kanye West]], Kanye Canes, Brick Baker, Reverend Lucius, Moses Beauford (voice)
| Recurring role
|-
| 2018
| ''[[SuperMansion]]''
| Various
| 3 episodes
|-
| 2018
| ''[[Champaign ILL]]''
| Lou
| Recurring cast
|-
| 2019–23
| ''[[A Million Little Things]]''
| Omar Howard
| 3 episodes
|-
| 2020
| ''[[The Masked Singer]]''
| Self
| Guest judge
|-
| 2020
| ''[[Loafy]]''
| Zookeeper Dan (voice)
| Recurring cast
|-
| 2020–21
| ''[[Nickelodeon's Unfiltered]]''<ref>{{cite web|author=Rick Porter|date=June 26, 2020|title=Jay Pharoah to Host Nickelodeon Game Show ''Unfiltered'' (Exclusive)|url=https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/live-feed/jay-pharoah-host-nickelodeon-game-show-unfiltered-1300543|access-date=August 7, 2020|work=[[The Hollywood Reporter]]}}</ref>
| Host
| TV series
|-
| 2021
| ''[[Robot Chicken]]''
| [[Barack Obama]] (voice)
| Episode: "May Cause Your Dad to Come Back With That Gallon of Milk He Went Out for 10 Years Ago"
|-
| 2022
| ''[[That's My Jam]]''
| Self
| Episode: "Jay Pharoah & Nikki Glaser vs. Terry Crews & Dan Finnerty"
|-
| 2022
| ''[[The Simpsons]]''
| [[Drederick Tatum]] (voice)
| 2 episodes
|-
| 2022
| ''[[A Black Lady Sketch Show]]''
| Lavonte
| Episode: "Bounce Them Coochies, Y'all!"
|-
| 2022
| ''[[Out of Office]]''
| Neal
| TV movie
|-
| 2022–23
| ''[[American Dad!]]''
| Mr. Fritz / Angry Husband (voice)
| 2 episodes
|-
| 2022
| ''[[Bubble Guppies]]''
| Buster (voice)
| Episode: "The Solar Light Spectacular!"
|-
|2023-Present
|''[[Invincible (TV series)|Invincible]]''
|Bulletproof, Komodo Dragon, Various (voice)
|Season 2 <ref>{{Cite web |title=Invincible Season 2: Release Date, Trailer, Cast & More |url=https://editorial.rottentomatoes.com/article/invincible-season-2-release-date-trailer-cast-more/ |access-date=2023-09-11 |language=en-US}}</ref>
|}


===Video games===
===Video games===
* ''[[Call of Duty: Infinite Warfare]]'' (2016)
* ''[[Call of Duty: Infinite Warfare]]'' (2016) – Andre

==Encounter with police==
In June 2020, amid the ongoing [[George Floyd protests]], Pharaoh released footage showing how, in February 2020, he had been arrested by the [[Los Angeles Police Department]], with an officer kneeling on Pharaoh's neck in the same manner as that which caused the [[death of George Floyd]].<ref>https://www.unilad.co.uk/film-and-tv/snl-comedian-jay-pharoah-releases-footage-of-police-kneeling-on-his-neck/</ref><ref>https://www.cbsnews.com/news/jay-pharoah-surveillance-footage-lapd-officer-kneeling-neck-george-floyd/</ref>


==References==
==References==
{{reflist|40em}}
{{reflist}}


==External links==
==External links==
Line 77: Line 272:


{{DEFAULTSORT:Pharoah, Jay}}
{{DEFAULTSORT:Pharoah, Jay}}
[[Category:Living people]]
[[Category:1987 births]]
[[Category:21st-century American comedians]]
[[Category:21st-century American male actors]]
[[Category:21st-century American male actors]]
[[Category:African-American male actors]]
[[Category:African-American male comedians]]
[[Category:African-American male comedians]]
[[Category:American male comedians]]
[[Category:African-American stand-up comedians]]
[[Category:African-American male actors]]
[[Category:American impressionists (entertainers)]]
[[Category:American impressionists (entertainers)]]
[[Category:American male comedians]]
[[Category:American male film actors]]
[[Category:American male television actors]]
[[Category:American male television actors]]
[[Category:American male voice actors]]
[[Category:American sketch comedians]]
[[Category:American sketch comedians]]
[[Category:African-American stand-up comedians]]
[[Category:American stand-up comedians]]
[[Category:American stand-up comedians]]
[[Category:Living people]]
[[Category:American twins]]
[[Category:Male actors from Virginia]]
[[Category:Male actors from Virginia]]
[[Category:Twin people from the United States]]
[[Category:People from Chesapeake, Virginia]]
[[Category:People from Chesapeake, Virginia]]
[[Category:Virginia Commonwealth University alumni]]
[[Category:Virginia Commonwealth University alumni]]
[[Category:21st-century American comedians]]
[[Category:Comedians from Virginia]]
[[Category:1987 births]]

Revision as of 04:08, 12 April 2024

Jay Pharoah
Pharoah in June 2016
Birth nameJared Antonio Farrow
Born (1987-10-14) October 14, 1987 (age 36)
Chesapeake, Virginia, U.S.
Medium
  • Stand-up
  • television
  • film
EducationTidewater Community College (AA, AS)
Virginia Commonwealth University
Years active2010–present
Genres
Subject(s)
Websitewww.jaypharoahworld.com

Jared Antonio Farrow (born October 14, 1987), better known by his stage name Jay Pharoah, is an American stand-up comedian impressionist and actor. Pharoah was a cast member on the NBC sketch comedy series Saturday Night Live from 2010 to 2016.[1] In 2015, he was ranked the 55th greatest Saturday Night Live cast member by Rolling Stone magazine.[2]

Early life

Pharoah was born and raised in Chesapeake, Virginia. He began performing impersonations at age six and cites Gilbert Gottfried's character Iago in Aladdin as his first voice, explaining, "My father put me in a talent competition a couple of months later, and out of the whole thing I got fifth place."[3]

In 2005, Pharoah graduated from Indian River High School in Chesapeake. One of his characters, Principal Daniel Frye, is heavily influenced by IRHS's former principal,[4] James Frye.[5] Pharoah graduated from Tidewater Community College with an Associate of Arts degree in 2008 and an Associate of Science in 2010.[6] He briefly attended Virginia Commonwealth University.[1]

Career

Pharoah at The Stand in June 2016.

Pharoah has been performing stand-up comedy in community theaters and at comedy clubs in Virginia since he was 15.[7] He at one point toured with Corey Holcomb and Charlie Murphy.[1]

He became known for his many celebrity impressions,[8] including Barack Obama, Will Smith, DMX, Jay-Z, 50 Cent, Eddie Murphy, Chris Rock, Dave Chappelle, Kanye West, Stephen A. Smith, Peter Dinklage, and Denzel Washington.[1]

Pharoah became an internet phenomenon when his impersonation of Barack Obama became widely seen on YouTube.[1][3]

2010–2016: Saturday Night Live

In 2010, Pharoah was hired by Saturday Night Live as a featured performer for the show's 36th season. Pharoah debuted on Saturday Night Live on September 25, 2010 and was regarded by Rob Moynihan of TV Guide as the "breakout player" for that season, for his impressions of Barack Obama, Ben Carson, Kanye West, Jay-Z, Stephen A. Smith, Will Smith, Eddie Murphy, Tracy Morgan, Chris Rock, Dave Chappelle, Chris Tucker, Michael Strahan, Lil Wayne, Kevin Hart, Kendrick Lamar, Shaq and Denzel Washington.[1][3] He debuted his SNL impersonation of Barack Obama in the 38th season premiere on September 15, 2012, succeeding Fred Armisen in that role.[9] Rolling Stone magazine described him as the "Jimmy Fallon of 2 Chainz impressions."[2]

Pharoah appeared in the independent film Lola Versus, released by Fox Searchlight Pictures in June 2012. In 2014, he had a small role in the buddy cop film Ride Along, starring Ice Cube and Kevin Hart, and appeared in the independent film Balls Out, a sport comedy starring fellow SNL cast members Beck Bennett and Kate McKinnon.[10]

In 2016, he appeared in a commercial for Old Navy,[11] alongside fellow SNL cast members Nasim Pedrad and Cecily Strong. On August 8, 2016, it was announced Pharoah alongside fellow cast member Taran Killam would be exiting the show ahead of its 42nd season.[12] Pharoah hosted the American Music Awards of 2016 with model Gigi Hadid. Pharoah has been working on his first album with record producer Myles William.[13]

Personal life

2020 encounter with police

In June 2020, amidst the ongoing George Floyd protests, Pharoah released footage showing how, in April 2020, he was detained at gunpoint[14] by the Los Angeles Police Department, with an officer kneeling on Pharoah's neck in the same manner as that which caused the murder of George Floyd.[15][16] Pharoah had met the generic description of a "black man in grey sweatpants and a grey shirt." After the officers Googled Pharoah's name, they apologized and let him go.[15]

Filmography

Film

Key
† Denotes films that have not yet been released
Year Title Role Notes
2012 Lola Versus Randy
2013 Underdogs Announcer 2
2014 Ride Along Runflat
2014 Balls Out Dan
2014 Top Five Mike
2016 Get a Job Skeezy D
2016 Sing Meena's Grandfather (voice)
2018 Unsane Nate Hoffman
2019 How to Fake a War Harry Hope
2020 Bad Hair Julius
2020 2 Minutes of Fame Deandre
2020 All My Life Dave Berger
2021 The Mitchells vs. the Machines Noah (voice)
2021 Resort to Love Jason King
2022 The Blackening Shawn
2023 Spinning Gold Cecil Holmes
2023 The Venture Bros.: Radiant Is the Blood of the Baboon Heart Nuno Blood (voice)
2023 Urkel Saves Santa: The Movie Jay-Z (voice) Direct-to-Video

Television

Year Title Role Notes
2010–16 Saturday Night Live Various Main cast (season 36-41)
2011 The Cookout 2 Eddie O TV movie
2014 Portlandia Jay-Z (voice) Episode: "Ecoterrorists"
2016–17 Legends of Chamberlain Heights Montrel, Randy (voice) Main cast
2017 BoJack Horseman Man on the Street, Dashawn Manheim (voice) 2 episodes
2017 White Famous Floyd Mooney Main cast
2017–24 Family Guy Skee-Lo, Kanye West, Kanye Canes, Brick Baker, Reverend Lucius, Moses Beauford (voice) Recurring role
2018 SuperMansion Various 3 episodes
2018 Champaign ILL Lou Recurring cast
2019–23 A Million Little Things Omar Howard 3 episodes
2020 The Masked Singer Self Guest judge
2020 Loafy Zookeeper Dan (voice) Recurring cast
2020–21 Nickelodeon's Unfiltered[17] Host TV series
2021 Robot Chicken Barack Obama (voice) Episode: "May Cause Your Dad to Come Back With That Gallon of Milk He Went Out for 10 Years Ago"
2022 That's My Jam Self Episode: "Jay Pharoah & Nikki Glaser vs. Terry Crews & Dan Finnerty"
2022 The Simpsons Drederick Tatum (voice) 2 episodes
2022 A Black Lady Sketch Show Lavonte Episode: "Bounce Them Coochies, Y'all!"
2022 Out of Office Neal TV movie
2022–23 American Dad! Mr. Fritz / Angry Husband (voice) 2 episodes
2022 Bubble Guppies Buster (voice) Episode: "The Solar Light Spectacular!"
2023-Present Invincible Bulletproof, Komodo Dragon, Various (voice) Season 2 [18]

Video games

References

  1. ^ a b c d e f "Virginia native Jay Pharoah snags cast spot on "Saturday Night Live"; will he be their new Obama? Pharoah also raps". Washington Post. September 8, 2010. Retrieved September 27, 2010.
  2. ^ a b "55. Jay Pharoah - 'Saturday Night Live': All 141 Cast Members Ranked". Rolling Stone. Archived from the original on January 20, 2018. Retrieved June 12, 2016.
  3. ^ a b c Moynihan, Rob (March 7, 2011). "SNL's Fab Four". TV Guide. pp. 44–45.
  4. ^ "After 27 years, Indian River Principal James Frye retires". The Virginian-Pilot. June 12, 2014. Archived from the original on October 17, 2015. Retrieved November 11, 2014 – via HamptonRoads.com.
  5. ^ "Jay Pharoah pays tribute to his Chesapeake principal on 'SNL'". The Virginian-Pilot. December 14, 2010. Archived from the original on April 26, 2016. Retrieved January 15, 2012 – via HamptonRoads.com.
  6. ^ "Jay Pharoah: From here to "Saturday Night Live"". TCC Today. January 28, 2016. Archived from the original on October 17, 2015. Retrieved July 21, 2023.
  7. ^ Sources conflict on when he started standup. The Washington Post source indicates he started at 15.
  8. ^ "NBC'S 'SATURDAY NIGHT LIVE' PREMIERES SEPTEMBER 25 WITH SNL ALUM AMY POEHLER & CHART-TOPPING MUSICAL GUEST KATY PERRY". Nbcuniversal.presscentre.com. September 7, 2010. Archived from the original on March 11, 2012. Retrieved January 15, 2012.
  9. ^ "Inbox". TV Guide. October 8, 2012.
  10. ^ Luippold, Ross (July 24, 2013). "Kate McKinnon, Jay Pharoah Shooting Indie 'Intramural' In Austin This Summer". The Huffington Post. Retrieved March 10, 2014.
  11. ^ "Old Navy enlists SNL alums to improvise series of online spots". www.campaignlive.com. Retrieved June 12, 2016.
  12. ^ "Jay Pharoah Is Saying Goodbye to 'Saturday Night Live' to Pursue Other Opportunities". shadowandact.com.
  13. ^ "Jay Pharoah ("Saturday Night Live") Preps New Mixtape - Pitchfork". pitchfork.com. August 30, 2016.
  14. ^ "'SNL' alum Jay Pharoah says LAPD officers held him at gunpoint, kneeled on his neck". ABC7.com. June 13, 2020. Retrieved June 25, 2020.
  15. ^ a b Frew, Cameron (June 13, 2020). "SNL Comedian Jay Pharoah Releases Footage Of Police Kneeling On His Neck". www.unilad.co.uk.
  16. ^ Lewis, Sophie (June 13, 2020). "Former "SNL" star Jay Pharoah releases surveillance footage of LAPD officer apparently kneeling on his neck". www.cbsnews.com.
  17. ^ Rick Porter (June 26, 2020). "Jay Pharoah to Host Nickelodeon Game Show Unfiltered (Exclusive)". The Hollywood Reporter. Retrieved August 7, 2020.
  18. ^ "Invincible Season 2: Release Date, Trailer, Cast & More". Retrieved September 11, 2023.

External links

Retrieved from "https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Jay_Pharoah&oldid=1218510703"