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Wanda Sykes Biography

Birth Name:Wanda Y'vette Sykes

Birth Place:Portsmouth, Virginia, United States

Profession Actress, Producer, Writer, Soundtrack

Fast Facts

Received the Stephen F․ Kolzak Award for her equal rights activism at the 2010 GLAAD Media Awards
Sent letters to local officials on behalf of the animal rights organization PETA in an effort to enact laws against chaining dogs
Supports a number of charities and organizations including Alliance for Children's Rights, American Cancer Society, The Trevor Project and True Colors Fund
Graduated with a degree in marketing from Hampton University in 1986
Before becoming a comic, she worked at teh National Security Agency
Her comedy career began at a Coors Light Super Talent Showcase in 1987
Quote: "I really don't know that many good jokes, but people are like, 'hey, tell me a joke․ Make me laugh․' And I'm like, come on, man․ I don't have nothin'․ It's hard being put on the spot like that․"
Quote: "I think it's harder for women because comedy is so opposite of being ladylike․"

Awards

1998Primetime Emmy-Outstanding Writing for a Variety or Music Program: nominated
1999Primetime Emmy-Outstanding Writing for a Variety or Music Program: winner
2000Primetime Emmy-Outstanding Writing for a Variety, Music or Comedy Program: nominated
2001Primetime Emmy-Outstanding Writing for a Variety, Music or Comedy Program: nominated
2003Teen Choice Award-Choice TV Actress - Comedy: nominated
2003Teen Choice Award-Choice TV Breakout Star - Female: nominated
2004BET Comedy Award-Outstanding Lead Actress in a Comedy Series: nominated
2004Golden Satellite Award-Best Actress in a Series, Comedy or Musical: nominated
2005BET Comedy Award-Outstanding Supporting Actress in a Theatrical Film: winner
2005Image Award-Outstanding Supporting Actress in a Comedy Series: nominated
2006Black Reel-Best Supporting Actress: nominated
2006Image Award-Outstanding Supporting Actress in a Comedy Series: nominated
2007Annie-Best Voice Acting in an Animated Feature Production: nominated
2007Gold Derby TV Award-Comedy Guest Actress: nominated
2009Image Award-Outstanding Supporting Actress in a Comedy Series: nominated
2010Primetime Emmy-Outstanding Writing for a Variety, Music or Comedy Special: nominated
2010Primetime Emmy-Outstanding Variety, Music or Comedy Special: nominated
2013BTVA Feature Film Voice Acting Award-Best Vocal Ensemble in a Feature Film: nominated
2013Black Reel-Best Voice Performance: nominated
2014Gracie-Outstanding Special or Variety Show: winner
2016Image Award-Outstanding Character Voice-Over Performance (Television or Theatrical): nominated
2017OFTA Television Award-Best Guest Actress in a Comedy Series: nominated
2017Primetime Emmy-Outstanding Guest Actress in a Comedy Series: nominated
2018OFTA Television Award-Best Guest Actress in a Comedy Series: nominated
2018Primetime Emmy-Outstanding Guest Actress in a Comedy Series: nominated
2019OFTA Television Award-Best Female Performance in a Variety Program: nominated
2020Black Reel-Outstanding Guest Actress, Comedy Series: nominated
2020Gold Derby TV Award-Comedy Guest Actress: nominated
2020OFTA Television Award-Best Guest Actress in a Comedy Series: nominated
2020Primetime Emmy-Outstanding Guest Actress in a Comedy Series: nominated
2020Primetime Emmy-Outstanding Variety Special (Pre-Recorded): nominated
2020Primetime Emmy-Outstanding Character Voice-Over Performance: nominated
2021Salute to Excellence Award-: winner
2021Black Reel-Outstanding Supporting Actress, Comedy Series: nominated
2021People's Choice Award-The Comedy TV Star of 2021: nominated
2022Image Award-Outstanding Supporting Actress in a Comedy Series: nominated
2023Image Award-Outstanding Supporting Actress in a Comedy Series: nominated
2023Primetime Emmy-Outstanding Writing for a Variety Special: nominated
2023Primetime Emmy-Outstanding Character Voice-Over Performance: nominated
2023Primetime Emmy-Outstanding Variety Special (Pre-Recorded): nominated
2024Golden Globe-Best Performance in Stand-Up Comedy on Television: nominated
2024People's Choice Award-Comedy Act of the Year: nominated
2024WGA Award (TV)-Comedy/Variety Sketch Series: nominated
2025Image Award-Outstanding Supporting Actress in a Comedy Series: nominated
2026Image Award-Outstanding Supporting Actress in a Comedy Series: nominated