Cedric the Entertainer

Cedric the Entertainer – Life, Career, and Famous Quotes

Learn the life, career, and memorable quotes of Cedric the Entertainer (born April 24, 1964), the American comedian, actor, host, and cultural figure whose warmth, wit, and longevity have made him a beloved entertainer.

Introduction

Cedric the Entertainer is a multi-talented performer whose comedy, acting, and hosting have touched generations. With his charismatic presence, he seamlessly moves among stand-up stages, television sitcoms, films, voice work, and game shows. Over decades, he has balanced humor, dignity, and versatility to remain relevant—and beloved—in an industry often dismissive of aging comics.

Early Life and Family

Cedric Antonio Kyles was born on April 24, 1964, in Jefferson City, Missouri, U.S.

Cedric grew up in Caruthersville, Missouri, before moving to Berkeley, Missouri, in his high school years.

Youth and Education

In college, Cedric studied communications, which helped build his foundation for speaking, presentation, and understanding media.

These early “non-glamorous” jobs also helped him appreciate the value of persistence, humility, and connecting with ordinary life—elements that would become part of his comedic voice.

Career and Achievements

Stand-Up Beginnings & Comedy Circuits

Cedric adopted the stage name “Cedric the Entertainer” to reflect both his comedic identity and his ambition to do more than stand-up. It’s Showtime at the Apollo, hosted BET’s ComicView in 1993–94, and performed on Def Comedy Jam in 1995. Original Kings of Comedy tour alongside Steve Harvey, D.L. Hughley, and Bernie Mac—later turned into a Spike Lee film.

Television, Film & Voice Work

His breakthrough TV role was as Cedric Jackie Robinson, a friend to Steve Harvey’s character, on The Steve Harvey Show. The Soul Man (2012–2016) and currently appears on the CBS sitcom The Neighborhood.

In film, he is well known for playing Eddie Walker in the Barbershop series. Ice Age, Madagascar, Planes, Charlotte’s Web, and more.

In 2011, he made his directorial debut with Dance Fu (also known as Chicago Pulaski Jones), a martial-arts comedy film, marking his first major behind-the-camera role.

On television, he also served as host of Who Wants to Be a Millionaire during its 12th season (2013–14), and he left the show afterward to focus on other projects.

Awards & Honors

Cedric has earned multiple accolades, including six NAACP Image Awards and a Gotham Award.

He is also active philanthropically, awarding a scholarship each year in his name to a graduating high school student via the Cedric the Entertainer Charitable Foundation.

Historical Milestones & Context

Cedric’s rise came in the 1990s, during a resurgence of stand-up comedy, particularly by Black comedians, and in a media environment more open to crossing boundaries between stand-up, television, and film. His participation in Kings of Comedy helped cement a template for touring comedians branching into multimedia careers.

As television and film increasingly embraced ensemble casts and comedy voices of color, Cedric’s flexibility—in acting, voice work, and hosting—allowed him to thrive in multiple domains. His longevity reflects both adaptability and careful reputation management—a critical factor in an industry that often sidelines aging comics.

Legacy and Influence

Cedric the Entertainer is admired for being a “complete entertainer”—someone who straddles stand-up, acting, hosting, and directing without being pigeonholed. Younger comedians cite him as proof that staying grounded, evolving, and choosing projects with care are keys to a sustainable career.

He has also shown how to maintain dignity in humor: his style often combines warmth, relatability, and observation rather than harsh sarcasm, helping him connect across generations. His body of work across media ensures he is familiar even to audiences who might not follow stand-up closely (e.g. through his voice roles in major animated films).

Personality and Talents

Cedric is known for his affable, easygoing presence and ability to balance humor with sincerity. He often speaks about comedy as a way to stay grounded—having a microphone allows him to voice thoughts without censorship.

He has expressed a desire to take on more dramatic roles:

“I want to be a little more dramatic nowadays. ... I look for things that can just have people see me in a different light and let me mature as both an entertainer and an actor and a comedian.”

Cedric also frequently reflects on how in comedy, the timing, the moment, and connection with the audience are everything.

Famous Quotes of Cedric the Entertainer

Here are several memorable quotes that reflect his philosophy on art, identity, and career:

“I love stand up and it keeps me grounded, to say the stuff I have been thinking without anyone changing it.”

“It is a big world that we live in, and people have a choice to love who they love.”

“We as comics do want an immediate response from the audience. It’s really quiet on the set … a comic is looking for someone to give a reaction, even if it is the camera guy.”

“I’ve been blessed to have a long career.”

“When you do stuff as a comedian, Hollywood sees you as a comedian and so most of the calls I get are for a funny movie or something like that.”

“I try to encourage people to really love what they do … Love what you do because it’s not going to always be defined by who you are.”

“Politics move, as fast as Twitter, and for everyone to think that in four years America was going to be perfect is ridiculous.”

These quotes illustrate his balance between humor and earnestness, sensitivity to identity and perception, and his long view of career and art.

Lessons from Cedric the Entertainer

From Cedric’s experiences and words, we can draw these lessons:

1. Diversify your talents.
   Don’t confine yourself to one medium. Cedric’s work spans stand-up, acting, voice work, hosting, and directing.

2. Stay grounded in the craft.
   He emphasizes that stand-up keeps him connected to his voice and to audiences in real time.

3. Manage reputation and consistency.
   Over decades, Cedric has cultivated a persona of kindness, professionalism, and respect—and that consistency has sustained him.

4. Seek growth, not just comfort.
   He expresses desire to take on dramatic work, evolving rather than being boxed by past success.

5. Respond, don’t react.
   Comedy is often about timing, listening, observing. He shows that silences, reaction, and restraint can be as powerful as jokes.

6. Build for the long haul.
   His career shows that longevity matters more than flash; persistence and adaptation are key.

Conclusion

Cedric the Entertainer is more than a funny voice or a sitcom star—he is a study in sustainable creativity, versatility, and integrity. Over the span of decades, he has navigated changing media landscapes, shifting audience tastes, and the pressures of aging in show business—and remained relevant, respected, and beloved.

His legacy lies not just in laughter, but in demonstrating that a comedian can also be an actor, director, mentor, and steady creative force.

If you enjoy his performances, try watching The Original Kings of Comedy, Barbershop, or The Neighborhood; listen to his stand-up; and reflect on how his quotes reveal his heart behind the jokes.