“It wasn't until I became more confident with myself and I put myself forward instead of the jokes; at first it was put the jokes out there and I'm just behind the jokes.”

American stand-up comedian, actress, and writer

Wanda Sykes is an American stand-up comedian, actress, and writer. Born in 1964, she first drew wide notice as a writer on The Chris Rock Show and won a Primetime Emmy Award for that work in 1999. She has built a long career in comedy on stage and on television. Sykes is known for recurring roles in The New Adventures of Old Christine and Curb Your Enthusiasm, and she later earned Primetime Emmy nominations for Black-ish and The Marvelous Mrs. Maisel. She also stars in The Upshaws, The Other Two, and The Good Fight.