Wanda Sykes: A Closer Look At The Iconic Comedian And Actor

How Much is Wanda Sykes Really Worth?

Let’s talk about the legendary Wanda Sykes, an American actress, comedian, and writer whose career has been nothing short of extraordinary. With a net worth of $10 million, Wanda has built an impressive empire that spans decades in the entertainment industry. She’s lent her voice, humor, and talent to over 70 acting credits, including hit shows like “Wanda at Large” (2003), “The New Adventures of Old Christine” (2006–2010), “The Wanda Sykes Show” (2009–2010), and “Black-ish” (2015–present). On the big screen, she’s dazzled audiences in films like “My Super Ex-Girlfriend” (2006) and “Evan Almighty” (2007). Her salary and earnings have only grown as her star continues to rise.

But Wanda’s success isn’t limited to acting alone. She’s also made waves in the world of animation, voicing characters in blockbuster films such as “Over the Hedge” (2006), “Rio” (2011), “Ice Age: Continental Drift” (2012), and “Ice Age: Collision Course” (2016). Her voice work extends to TV shows like “Crank Yankers” (2002–2005; 2019–present), “Back at the Barnyard” (2007–2011), and “Vampirina” (2017–present). Alongside her on-screen achievements, Sykes has written for “The Chris Rock Show” (1997–2000), “The Keenen Ivory Wayans Show” (1997–1998), and even the “Roseanne” revival (2018). She’s also graced the stage, hosting the prestigious 2009 White House Correspondents’ Dinner, and published the best-selling book “Yeah, I Said It” in 2004.

Wanda Sykes: The Early Years

Wanda Yvette Sykes was born on March 7, 1964, in Portsmouth, Virginia, into a family that shaped her resilience and humor. Her mom, Marion, was a banker, while her dad, Harry, served as a U.S. Army colonel at the Pentagon. Growing up, Wanda experienced a military lifestyle that took her family to Maryland when she was in third grade. After graduating from Arundel High School, she attended Hampton University in Virginia, where she joined the Alpha Kappa Alpha sorority and earned a bachelor of science degree in marketing. Her first professional role after college was at the National Security Agency, where she worked as a contracting specialist for five years.

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From the NSA to the Spotlight

While working at the NSA, Wanda discovered her love for performing and began honing her comedic skills in Washington, D.C. It all started with the Coors Light Super Talent Showcase in 1987, where she showcased her raw talent. By 1992, she took a bold step, leaving the NSA to pursue comedy full-time in New York City. That same year, she made her TV debut on “An Evening at the Improv.” Her big break came when she opened for Chris Rock at Caroline’s Comedy Club, leading to a writing gig on “The Chris Rock Show.”

Her career snowballed from there, as she landed writing roles on “The Keenen Ivory Wayans Show” and made her film debut in “Tomorrow Night” (1998). She quickly became a household name, appearing in films like “Nutty Professor II: The Klumps” (2000), “Down to Earth” (2001), and “Pootie Tang” (2001), and guest-starring on “The Drew Carey Show” (2001). In 2001, Wanda began appearing as herself on “Curb Your Enthusiasm” (2001–2011), and two years later, she got her own show, “Wanda at Large,” on Fox, followed by Comedy Central’s “Wanda Does It” in 2004.

Wanda’s Stand-Up Journey

Stand-up comedy has always been at the core of Wanda’s career, and her performances have consistently earned her critical acclaim. In 2003, she premiered her first Comedy Central special, “Wanda Sykes: Tongue Untied,” captivating audiences with her sharp wit and fearless humor. She continued to shine with specials like “Wanda Sykes: Sick and Tired” (2006), “Wanda Sykes: I’mma Be Me” (2009) on HBO, “What Happened… Ms. Sykes?” (2016) on Epix, and “Wanda Sykes: Not Normal” (2019) on Netflix. Her comedic brilliance didn’t go unnoticed, as she was ranked #70 on Comedy Central’s “100 Greatest Stand-Ups of All Time” list in 2004.

Acting Career: Beyond the Stage

Wanda’s acting career has been nothing short of remarkable. She’s graced the big screen in films like “Monster-in-Law” (2005), “Clerks II” (2006), and “License to Wed” (2007), and guest-starred on iconic shows like “Will & Grace.” Her breakout role came as Barb, the best friend of Julia Louis-Dreyfus’s Christine, on CBS’s “The New Adventures of Old Christine,” where she appeared in 54 episodes over five seasons. From 2009 to 2010, she starred in her own talk show, “The Wanda Sykes Show,” which she also created, wrote for, and produced.

Her versatility shines through in her diverse roles, including playing Democratic Senator Rosalyn DuPeche on Amazon’s “Alpha House” (2013) and guest-starring as herself on “Real Husbands of Hollywood.” She’s also lent her voice to animated series like “The Simpsons” and starred as Daphne Lido on ABC’s “Black-ish.” Wanda’s resume boasts recurring roles on Comedy Central’s “Broad City” (2017–2019) and Amazon’s “The Marvelous Mrs. Maisel” (2019), where she portrayed Moms Mabley. Her recent film credits include “Bad Moms” (2016), “Snatched” (2017), “A Bad Moms Christmas” (2017), and “Jexi” (2019), along with roles in “Mapleworth Murders” (2020) and “Tig n’ Seek” (2020).

Wanda’s Personal Life

Wanda’s personal life is as fascinating as her career. She married record producer Dave Hall in 1991, but the marriage ended in 1998. It wasn’t until 2008 that Wanda publicly came out as a lesbian during a Las Vegas same-sex marriage rally. That same year, she married French businesswoman Alex Niedbalski on October 25, 2008. The couple welcomed fraternal twins, Lucas and Olivia, on April 27, 2009. Wanda didn’t reveal her sexual orientation to her parents until she was 40, and it took some time for them to come around. Despite a period of estrangement, they eventually reconciled.

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Wanda has faced her share of health challenges, including a diagnosis of ductal carcinoma in situ (DCIS), often referred to as "stage zero breast cancer," after undergoing breast reduction surgery in 2011. Her family history of breast cancer led her to opt for a bilateral mastectomy as a precautionary measure. Beyond her personal battles, Wanda is a staunch advocate for LGBTQ rights, hosting fundraisers and events in support of same-sex marriage. She’s been a proud supporter of organizations like GLAAD, The Trevor Project, The True Colors Fund, and the Ruth Ellis Center. She’s also a passionate animal welfare advocate, working with PETA to promote anti-chaining legislation in Virginia.

Wanda’s Awards and Achievements

Wanda Sykes has received countless accolades throughout her career, with 14 Primetime Emmy nominations under her belt. She won an Outstanding Writing for a Variety or Music Program Emmy in 1999 for her work on “The Chris Rock Show.” In 2001, she was crowned Funniest Female Stand-Up Comic at the American Comedy Awards, and in 2010, she received the prestigious Stephen F. Kolzak Award from the GLAAD Media Awards. Her acting prowess earned her a BET Comedy Award for Outstanding Supporting Actress in a Theatrical Film for “Monster-in-Law” in 2005.

Her activism hasn’t gone unnoticed either, as she was honored with an Activism in the Arts award at the 2015 Triumph Awards. In 2014, she won a Gracie Allen Award for Outstanding Special or Variety Show for “Wanda Sykes Presents Herlarious” and received a Muse Award from the New York Women in Film & Television. She’s also been nominated for awards from the Black Reel Awards, Gold Derby Awards, NAACP Image Awards, Online Film & Television Association, People’s Choice Awards, Satellite Awards, and Teen Choice Awards, cementing her status as a true icon in the entertainment world.