Jay Pharoah is an American comedian known for his roles on Saturday Night Live and White Famous. What most fans don’t know about the comedy icon is that he was born as Jared Antonio Farrow in Chesapeake, Virginia, to Ramona and Antonio Farrow. Before making a name for himself on the global stage, he graduated from the Indian River High School in Chesapeake in 2005, and then studied at Tidewater Community College.
Pharoah also studied Business at the Virginia Commonwealth University before putting all this attention on his comedy career. He certainly keeps the business in the family because his sister later became his manager. But there is a lot more about this comedian than meets the eye. He not only makes people laugh but is also a rapper, actor, producer, and writer. Here are seven facts you didn’t know about Jay Pharoah.
1. Jay Pharaoh Started his Comedic Career at 15
When Pharoah was 15, he started performing stand-up comedy in local comedy clubs around Virginia. This was only the beginning of his career because in 2015 after hundreds of stand-up shows across America, he got his first comedy special, Jay Pharoah: Can I Be Me? The special aired on Showtime. His comedic prowess and professionalism have opened tons of doors for him. In 2020, he hosted and produced the Nickelodeon game show Nickelodeon’s Unfiltered.
2. He was Named One of the Best SNL Cast Members by Rolling Stone
After going viral for his impersonations, it was only a short while before the important people started to notice. In 2010, Pharoah joined Saturday Night Live (SNL) as a cast member for its 36th season. On the show, he has impersonated countless celebrities, American politicians, and notable figures over the six seasons. After his hit showtime special, Rolling Stone named Jay Pharoah the 55th greatest Saturday Night Live cast member. However, he quit SNL in 2016.
3. Jay Pharoah is a Popular Impressionist
Pharaoh was only nine when he started impersonating famous people, and his father, recognizing his talents, put him in his first talent competition. Although he didn’t win and came in fifth place, it showed him and his family that he had undeniable talent. Some of his famous impersonations were of celebrities like Kanye West, Will Smith, Denzel Washington, Eddie Murphy, and Jay Z. His most popular impression was former president Barack Obama, which went viral on YouTube.
4. Jay Pharoah Has an Impressive Film Career
For most stand-up comedians, it’s relatively easy to transition to the movie business, but Pharoah has found success in the entertainment industry. Some of the movies and TV shows he has appeared in include A Million Little Things (2019-2023), The Blackening (2023), White Famous (2017), Out of Office (2022), A Black Lady Sketch Show, Private Property (2022), Resort to Love (2021), 2 Minutes of Fame (2020), and Bac Hair (2020).
5. He Is a Talented Voice Actor
Jay Pharoah is also a talented voice actor. He has lent his voice to animated movies like Sing (2016), Legends of Chamberlain Heights (2016-2017), Bojack Horseman, American Dad, The Simpson, and Family Guy. He also appeared in Cartoon Network’s Robot Chicken as the man with the Yellow hat and Barack Obama. You might also recognize him in Sony’s 2021 movie, the Mitchells vs The Machineswhere he voiced Noah. With his fantastic voice, he released his first EP, Spittin Image, in 2021, with all the songs written by him.
6. Jay Pharaoh is an Activist
Jay Pharoah has never been shy about speaking out about what he believes in. In June 2020, he released a video of police officers kneeling on his neck a few months after the George Floyd incident and the police only let him go after they googled his name. After the shooting and death of Migos rapper Takeoff, Pharoah took to his Instagram with a caption asking why brothers were killing each other for no reason. Despite being a comedian, he knows when to take issues seriously.
7. Jay Pharoah’s Mentors Helped Shape His Career
Pharoah has achieved unbelievable success for his age, but the star realizes he couldn’t have done it alone. Some of his mentors played a hand in how he carries himself in the entertainment business. The late Charlie Murphy once told him, “Whatever you do, Man, don’t do coke.” While he found it funny then, after years in the industry, Pharoah realized it was some of the best advice because of the damage it has done to many rising stars. Freez Luv, Murphy’s close friend, always told Pharoah, “Pay it forward and pay it back.” And that’s what Pharoah is doing. Every year, he gives a scholarship to a student from his former school, The Indian River High School to help other young minds achieve their dreams. He wants to make sure he leaves a legacy that will be remembered for all the right reasons.
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