-
Rickey Smiley
Comedian Rickey Smiley will perform at the Julie Rogers Theatre on Friday, Oct. 21, at 8 p.m. Ticket prices start at $50 and can be purchased online at ticketmaster.com beginning Friday, July 15, at 10 a.m.
Smiley is a legendary comedian, actor, author, television host and award-winning radio host of the top-rated, nationally syndicated show, "The Rickey Smiley Morning Show."
A comedian for more than 30 years, Smiley is constantly performing across the country on his own theater tour and also makes special appearances on the Martin Lawrence-hosted, LIT AF Tour. His tours often include a live band, which Rickey accompanies as an accomplished pianist and organist. Some of his fan favorite characters include “Mrs. Bernice Jenkins,” “Lil’ Daryl,” “Joe Willie,” and “Beauford.”
Smiley starred in the stand-up specials, "Rickey Smiley: Open Casket Sharp" and "Comedy Central Presents: Rickey Smiley," and released eight bestselling albums including the No. 1 comedy album, "Rickey Smiley: Prank Calls 6." Smiley started his career at The Stardome Comedy Club in Birmingham, Alabama, and for over a year until the pandemic in 2020, Rickey sold out every Monday night at the club with Rickey Smiley’s Comedy & Karaoke Night, hosted by Smiley himself with a live band.
On November 10, 2021, Smiley won his second National Association of Broadcasters’ Marconi Award for Network/Syndicated Person of the Year for "The Rickey Smiley Morning Show," which is syndicated to more than 60 cities across the country including Atlanta, Baltimore, Chicago, Columbus, Dallas, Houston, Indianapolis, Kansas City, Miami, New Orleans, Orlando, Portland, Seattle and St Louis. In 2017, he won his first Marconi Award for Network/Syndicated Person of the Year and he was nominated again in 2019, when he also served as host of the show.
In 2020 during quarantine, Smiley hosted "Fox Soul TV’s," "Quarantine Cook Off," featuring his signature humor and top-notch cooking skills while sharing some of his favorite recipes with viewers. Smiley also starred in his own TV series, "The Rickey Smiley Show," running from 2012 through 2014 on TV One. From 2015 through 2018, he starred in his own TV reality show titled, "Rickey Smiley For Real," on TV One.
His memoir, "Stand By Your Truth Then Run For Your Life," was released to critical acclaim by Gallery Books in 2018.
Chad Cooper is the Entertainment Editor. Contact cooper @theexaminer.com.