Rickey Smiley

Rickey Smiley is a legendary comedian, actor, author, television host and award-winning radio host of the top-rated, nationally syndicated program, “The Rickey Smiley Morning Show.” 

A comedian for more than 30 years, Rickey is constantly performing across the country on his own theater tour and also makes special appearances on the Martin Lawrence-hosted, LIT AF Tour. Some of Rickey’s fan favorite characters include Ms. Bernice Jenkins, Lil’ Daryl, Joe Willie and Beauford. Rickey starred in the stand-up specials “Rickey Smiley: Open Casket Sharp“ and “Comedy Central Presents: Rickey Smiley,” and released eight best-selling albums, including the #1 comedy album, “Rickey Smiley: Prank Calls 6.”  Rickey started his career at his hometown comedy club The Stardome in Birmingham, and regularly hosts his Karaoke Night there for a sell-out crowd.

On November 10, 2021, Rickey won his second National Association of Broadcasters’ Marconi Award for Network/Syndicated Personality of the Year for “The Rickey Smiley Morning Show,” which is heard in more than 70 cities across the country. Affiliates include Atlanta; Baltimore; Chicago; Columbus, OH; Dallas; Houston; Indianapolis; Kansas City; Miami; New Orleans; Orlando; Portland, OR; Seattle and St. Louis. In 2017, Rickey 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, Rickey 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.  Rickey starred in his own TV series, The Rickey Smiley Show, running from 2012 through 2014 on TV One.  From 2015 through 2018, Rickey 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.

As for films, Rickey was seen in the Nick Cannon’s VH1 movie, “Miracles Across 125th Street,” and he has been featured in the “All About The Benjamins,” “Friday After Next“ and “Baggage Claim.”