Cedric
'The Entertainer' Named New Host of 'Who Wants To Be A
Millionaire
via
press release:
COMEDIAN AND ACTOR CEDRIC “THE
ENTERTAINER”
NAMED
NEW HOST OF “WHO WANTS TO BE A
MILLIONAIRE”
Burbank, CA, March 20, 2013 -- Stand-up comedian and
popular film and television actor Cedric “The Entertainer”
has been named the new host of “Who Wants To Be A
Millionaire,” joining the long-running game show beginning
with its 12th season in national syndication this Fall, it
was announced today.
“We are thrilled to announce that Cedric ‘The Entertainer’
will be at the helm as our new host of ‘Who Wants To Be A
Millionaire,’” said Janice Marinelli, president, Disney-ABC
Domestic Television. “With his deep roots as a successful
stand-up comedian and actor, Cedric will bring his fresh
approach and unpredictable fun to the show.”
“Cedric ‘The Entertainer’ is the perfect person to take the
‘Millionaire’ franchise to the next level,” added Vicki
Dummer, executive vice president, Times Square Studios. “An
immensely talented performer with widespread appeal, Cedric
will no doubt infuse his gregarious personality and
humor into the show.”
“I’m truly looking forward to hosting ‘Millionaire,’”
Cedric stated. “The show is a modern day game show GIANT,
and the team at Disney-ABC has been great at
putting the right elements together over 11 seasons.
I’m excited to entertain all those who watch and play as
season 12 launches ... It’s going to be a good time every
day!!”
Cedric replaces Meredith Vieira, who launched the weekday
version of The Game show
in 2002 and remained host for 11 seasons, through 2013.
Cedric The Entertainer is perhaps most widely known for his
work on the record-breaking “Kings of Comedy” tour
with Steve Harvey, the late Bernie Mac, and D.L. Hughley.
The highly successful tour led to the hit film “The
Original Kings of Comedy,” which was directed by Spike Lee.
Other film credits include “Barbershop” (2002), “Ice Age”
(2002), “Intolerable Cruelty” (2003), “Johnson Family
Vacation” (2004), “Madagascar” (2005), “Be Cool” (2005),
“Charlotte’s Web” (2006), “Talk to Me (2007), “Street
Kings” (2008), “Madagascar: Escape 2 Africa” (2008), “Larry
Crowne” (2011), “Madagascar 3: Europe’s Most Wanted”
(2012), and the current comedy-horror spoof, “A
Haunted House”
(2013), among others.
Cedric’s first televised stand-up comedy appearance was in
1987 on “It’s Showtime at the Apollo,” which led to
appearances on HBO’s “Def Comedy Jam” and BET’s “ComicView”
in the early ‘90s, and eventually to his own headlining
comedy special on HBO in 2006, “Cedric The
Entertainer: Taking You Higher.”
He transitioned from stand-up comedian to television actor
in 1996, making his acting debut on The WB’s “The Steve
Harvey Show.” Cedric co-starred on the show alongside
fellow comedian Steve Harvey for six seasons and won four
consecutive NAACP Image Awards for Outstanding Supporting
Actor in a Comedy Series for his portrayal of Coach Cedric
Robinson.
Currently Cedric can be seen in the TV Land sitcom which he
co-created entitled “The Soul Man,” starring as Reverend
Boyce “The Voice”
Ballentine, a spin-off character that originated from a
guest appearance on “Hot In Cleveland.”
In 2008 Cedric made his debut on Broadway with co-star John
Leguizamo in a revival of David Mamet’s “American Buffalo.”
And, marking yet another career highlight, he was chosen to
host the White House Correspondents’
Dinner in 2005.
The ever-busy Cedric produces feature films through his
production company, A Bird and A Bear Entertainment.
Additionally, in 2011 the creative comedy star launched the
WHOCED designer hat line collection, with items inspired by
Cedric’s own personal sense of style.
A native of St Louis, Missouri, Cedric has been married to
his wife, Lorna, for 12 years and together they have two
children, Croix and Lucky Rose. Cedric also has an adult
daughter named Tiara.