Wanda Sykes

Wanda Sykes

Birthday: March 7
Birthplace: Portsmouth, Virginia

Wanda Sykes is an American actress, comedian and writer. She was first recognized for her work as a writer on The Chris Rock Show, for which she won a Primetime Emmy Award in 1999. In 2004, Entertainment Weekly named Sykes as one of the 25 funniest people in America. She is also known for her role as Barb Baran on CBS' The New Adventures of Old Christine (2006–10) and for appearances on HBO's Curb Your Enthusiasm (2001–11).

In 2017, Sykes received an Emmy nomination for Outstanding Guest Actress in a Comedy Series for her appearance in an episode of black-ish.

Wanda Sykes is an American actress, comedian and writer. She was first recognized for her work as a writer on The Chris Rock Show, for which she won a Primetime Emmy Award in 1999. In 2004, Entertainment Weekly named Sykes as one of the 25 funniest people in America. She is also known for her role as Barb Baran on CBS' The New Adventures of Old Christine (2006–10) and for appearances on HBO's Curb Your Enthusiasm (2001–11).

In 2017, Sykes received an Emmy nomination for Outstanding Guest Actress in a Comedy Series for her appearance in an episode of black-ish.

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Awards & Nominations

17 Nominations | 1 Emmy
Outstanding Character Voice-Over Performance - 2023
  • Nominee
  • Wanda Sykes, as Gladys
  • Crank Yankers
  • "Wanda Sykes, JB Smoove & Adam Carolla"
  • Comedy Central
  • Kimmelot, ITV America
Outstanding Writing For A Variety Special - 2023
Outstanding Variety Special (Pre-Recorded) - 2023
Outstanding Character Voice-Over Performance - 2020
  • Nominee
  • Wanda Sykes, as Gladys
  • Crank Yankers
  • "Bobby Brown, Wanda Sykes & Kathy Griffin"
  • Comedy Central
  • Kimmelot, ITV, Central Productions, LLC
Outstanding Guest Actress In A Comedy Series - 2020
  • Nominee
  • Wanda Sykes, as Moms Mabley
  • The Marvelous Mrs. Maisel
  • "A Jewish Girl Walks Into The Apollo…"
  • Prime Video
  • Amazon Studios
Outstanding Variety Special (Pre-Recorded) - 2020
Outstanding Variety Special (Pre-Recorded) - 2019
Outstanding Writing For A Variety Special - 2019
Outstanding Guest Actress In A Comedy Series - 2018
  • Nominee
  • Wanda Sykes, as Daphne Lido
  • black-ish
  • "Juneteenth"
  • ABC
  • ABC Studios
Outstanding Guest Actress in a Comedy Series - 2017
  • Nominee
  • Wanda Sykes, as Daphne Lido
  • black-ish
  • "Lemons"
  • ABC
  • ABC Studios
Outstanding Variety, Music Or Comedy Special - 2010
  • Nominee
  • Wanda Sykes, Executive Producer/Performer
  • Wanda Sykes: I'ma Be Me
  • HBO
  • Sykes Entertainment in association with HBO Entertainment
Outstanding Writing For A Variety, Music Or Comedy Special - 2010
Outstanding Variety, Music Or Comedy Special - 2007
  • Nominee
  • Wanda Sykes, Executive Producer
  • Wanda Sykes: Sick And Tired
  • HBO
  • A Sykes Entertainment / Music Link Productions and Image Entertainment in association with HBO Entertainment

The Television Academy database lists prime-time Emmy information. Click here to learn more

Breaking Barriers in Comedy: A Celebration of Black Television
Breaking Barriers in Comedy: A Celebration of Black Television
Breaking Barriers in Comedy: A Celebration of Black Television
Wanda Sykes presents the Emmy for Outstanding Animated Program on Night Five of the Creative Arts Emmys.
Wanda Sykes presents the award for Outstanding Animated Program to Dan Harmon for Rick And Morty on Night Five of the Creative Arts Emmys.
Wanda Sykes presents the Emmy for Outstanding Short Form Animated Program to Bob Peterson and Mark Nielsen for Forky Asks A Question: What Is Love? at Night Four for the Creative Arts Emmys.
Wanda Sykes, Angela Bassett and Alex Sykes at the 2019 Creative Arts Ball.
Wanda Sykes on stage at the 2019 Creative Arts Emmys.
Wanda Sykes and Alex Sykes at the 62nd Primetime Creative Arts Emmy Awards
Fill 1
Fill 1
Breaking Barriers in Comedy: A Celebration of Black Television
Camera

Yvette Nicole Brown moderated a lively panel with Cedric the Entertainer, Lil Rel Howery and Wanda Sykes, for the Television Academy’s online member event “Breaking Barriers in Comedy: A Celebration of Black Television,” on  Wednesday, February 24, 2021.

Invision/AP
Breaking Barriers in Comedy: A Celebration of Black Television
Camera

Yvette Nicole Brown moderated a lively panel with Cedric the Entertainer, Lil Rel Howery and Wanda Sykes, for the Television Academy’s online member event “Breaking Barriers in Comedy: A Celebration of Black Television,” on  Wednesday, February 24, 2021.

Invision/AP
Breaking Barriers in Comedy: A Celebration of Black Television
Camera

Yvette Nicole Brown moderated a lively panel with Cedric the Entertainer, Lil Rel Howery and Wanda Sykes, for the Television Academy’s online member event “Breaking Barriers in Comedy: A Celebration of Black Television,” on  Wednesday, February 24, 2021.

Invision/AP
Wanda Sykes presents the Emmy for Outstanding Animated Program on Night Five of the Creative Arts Emmys.
Camera

Wanda Sykes presents the Emmy for Outstanding Animated Program on Night Five of the Creative Arts Emmys. 

Invision/AP
Wanda Sykes presents the award for Outstanding Animated Program to Dan Harmon for Rick And Morty on Night Five of the Creative Arts Emmys.
Camera

Wanda Sykes presents the award for Outstanding Animated Program to Dan Harmon for Rick And Morty on Night Five of the Creative Arts Emmys.

Invision/AP
Wanda Sykes presents the Emmy for Outstanding Short Form Animated Program to Bob Peterson and Mark Nielsen for Forky Asks A Question: What Is Love? at Night Four for the Creative Arts Emmys.
Camera

Wanda Sykes presents the Emmy for Outstanding Short Form Animated Program to Bob Peterson and Mark Nielsen for Forky Asks A Question: What Is Love? at Night Four for the Creative Arts Emmys. 

Invision/AP
Wanda Sykes, Angela Bassett and Alex Sykes at the 2019 Creative Arts Ball.
Camera

Wanda Sykes, Angela Bassett and Alex Sykes at the 2019 Creative Arts Ball.

Invision/AP
Wanda Sykes on stage at the 2019 Creative Arts Emmys.
Camera

Wanda Sykes on stage at the 2019 Creative Arts Emmys.

Invision/AP
Wanda Sykes and Alex Sykes at the 62nd Primetime Creative Arts Emmy Awards
Camera
Mathew Imaging
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