For the past three decades Cedric the Entertainer has been charming audiences with his no nonsense brand of humor and his infectious smile.
“I’m blessed and thankful for what I’ve been able to do in my career. I’ve done movies, and television, written books and I’ve done producing and directing,” said Cedric, who was born Cedric Antonio Kyles in Jefferson City, Mo. in 1964.
Cedric has stuck gold again with his Comedy Get Down Tour, which features fellow comedians DL Hughley, Charlie Murphy, George Lopez and Eddie Griffin talking about everything from politics to pop stars during the tag-team style show.
The genesis for the tour was created when the friends came together in October of 2014 for a fundraising concert in Peoria, Ill to help erect a statue of Richard Pryor in his hometown of Peoria. That became a reality and the fellas had so much fun working together that they decided to take the show on the road.
“This is huge!” Cedric said of the show, which is playing in sold-out arenas across the country. “We talk about everything from the NFL to politics. People get to see the classic Cedric The Entertainer on stage. It’s very high energy.”
The Comedy Get Down made a stop at the Consol Energy Center on Sept. 18 and had the audience rolling in the aisles and wiping tears from their eyes.
“I’ve been to Pittsburgh a couple of times. It’s a great town with great people. I performed at the Improv there and at Soldiers and Sailors. I’m a big Steelers fan,” he said.
Like his name says, Cedric entertains in any medium that he can.
He just completed filming of the third installment of the box-office hit “Barbershop” in Atlanta alongside co-stars Ice Cube, Common and Nicki Minaj. “Barbershop 3” is set for an April 2016 release.
He is currently in talks to film the sequel to his 2004 hit “Johnson Family Reunion.”
The Entertainer has Monday night television on lockdown.
The TVland series,” The Soul Man,” has been picked up for its fifth season. Cedric serves as star, executive producer and co-creator of the show. He portrays Reverend Boyce “The Voice” Ballentine, a former R & B superstar-turned preacher. Comedic actress Niecy Nash shares the screen as his devoted wife Lolli. Fellow Comedienne/ actress Sherri Shepherd will return this season. She joined the cast last season in a recurring role as his pain-in-the-neck cousin Nikki.
“Sherri definitely brought energy to the show last season,” Cedric said. “Her character is the bane of my (character’s) existence. Sherri is working hard and she’s bringing in some good, new energy to the show.”
“The Soul Man” airs Wednesdays at 10:30 p.m. on TVland.
On “Cedric’s Barber Battle,” which aired Monday nights at 9:30 on the CW, Cedric effortlessly blended hair cutting with comedy as he pitted some of the most talented barbers across the country against each other to fight with their clippers to showcase their artistic hair designs. The winner was hailed as the creator of “the best crowns in town” and received a big cash prize. The first show aired in early April of this year and two more episodes followed before it went on hiatus. It returned in late June with four more episodes. Three more episodes will air soon according to Cedric who served as the show’s host, creator and executive producer.
“I felt that it was important to the barbering world to put a spot light on barbering,” he said “It goes into the world of competitive barbering. There’s a lot of trash talking and a lot of good times.”
Cedric will once again don his stand-up comedian hat in early October for “An Evening with Cedric & Friends” at the Peabody Opera House in St. Louis. The event will feature performances by Cedric and iconic songstress Patti LaBelle. The event is a celebration of women’s health services offered at the upcoming Rosetta Boyce Kyles’ Women’s Pavilion at SSM Health Center St. Mary’s Hospital to be named in honor of Cedric’s mother.
She was diagnosed with cancer in 2009 and treated at St. Mary’s. She passed away in early June of this year. The hospital wanted to build a women’s health pavilion and name it after a woman with St. Lois ties.
“It’s an honor for a hospital wing to be named after my mother. My sister and I loved the idea so did my mom. This wing will allow all women to have the same care,” he said.
Diabetic nerve pain is another health issue that is near and dear to Cedric’s heart.
“My dad was diagnosed with diabetes and that’s how I got involved with it,” explained Cedric when asked about the diabetic nerve pain commercial as part of the Pfizer-American Diabetes Association initiative “Step on Up,” which aims to bring awareness to diabetic nerve pain. The condition can cause a burning, shooting pain in the hands and feet. “A lot of times males don’t recognize the symptoms so when I was asked to do this I said yes because I thought it was a great way to spread the message.”
Cedric also helps men tighten up their style and swagger with his Whoced hat line. The company is celebrating its five-year anniversary this year. The 2015 fall line was recently revealed to rave reviews.
“I love wearing hats. The business has grown quite a bit in the last few years,” he said.
Cedric is having the most successful time in his career right now and shows no signs of throwing in the towel.
“It’s really a good time for comedy right now,” he said.
(For more information on Cedric the Entertainer visit IamCedric.com.)
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