Christopher Tucker (born August 31, 1971) is an American stand-up comedian and actor. Tucker made his debut in 1992 as a stand-up performer on the HBO comedy series Def Comedy Jam, where he frequently appeared on the show during the 1990s. He acted in the films Friday, The Fifth Element, Money Talks, and Jackie Brown, and later gained widespread fame and popularity in the 2000s for playing Detective James Carter in the Rush Hour series.
Chris Tucker
Tucker in 2019
Birth name
Christopher Tucker
Born
(1971-08-31) August 31, 1971 (age 51) Atlanta, Georgia, U.S.
Christopher Tucker was born on August 31, 1971[1][2][3] in Atlanta, Georgia, the youngest son of Mary Louise (née Bryant) and Norris Tucker.[2] One of six children, Tucker learned early in life that humor had the power to draw attention to himself both at school and at home.[4] His father was an independent businessman who owned a janitorial service.[5][6] Tucker grew up in Decatur, Georgia, and after graduating from Columbia High School, he moved to Los Angeles to pursue his comedy career. His comedy influences were Richard Pryor and Eddie Murphy, and Tucker was known by his teachers and high school classmates for making people laugh by doing impressions of Murphy, Michael Jackson, and others.[7] Tucker grew up in a PentecostalChristian household, as his parents were members of the Church of God in Christ during his childhood.[8]
Career
Tucker in 2000
Tucker began showcasing his comedy skills before an audience in local Atlanta comedy clubs until he decided to move to Los Angeles in 1990 to further pursue his stand-up comedy career.[9] In 1992, Tucker was a frequent performer on the HBO comedy series Def Comedy Jam.[10] He made his cinematic debut in House Party 3 in 1994[11] and gained greater film recognition alongside N.W.A rapper Ice Cube in Friday the following year.[11] In 1997, he co-starred in the films The Fifth Element and Money Talks. He also played a supporting role in Quentin Tarantino's Jackie Brown and had a starring role in the spy comedy Double-O-Soul, but was never released.[12]
Along with Hong Kong martial artist Jackie Chan, Tucker starred as LAPD detective James Carter in the martial arts action comedy film series Rush Hour. After the commercial success of the first Rush Hour film, he held out for a $20 million salary for Rush Hour 2, and was paid $25 million for Rush Hour 3.[13] The latter was part of a $40 million two-movie contract with New Line Cinema that also included an unnamed future film. He was also to receive 20% of the gross from Rush Hour 3.[14]
Tucker was announced in 2007 to star in the New Line drama film Mr. S: My Life with Frank Sinatra, directed by Brett Ratner and based on George Jacobs's autobiography of working as Frank Sinatra's valet during the Rat Pack era of 1953–68.[17]
Tucker has a son named Destin with his ex-wife Azja Pryor.[19] He divides his time between Los Angeles, Las Vegas, and Atlanta.[20] Tucker once owned a home in Montverde, Florida in the Orlando, Floridaarea, however it was foreclosed on in 2011.[21]
Tucker participated in professor Henry Louis Gates Jr.'s 2006 PBS documentary on the genetic makeup of African Americans, African American Lives, that specifically focused on stories of Native American heritage in African-American communities. Tucker's DNA test results showed African, European, and "likely some Native American" ancestors.[24] Tucker's patrilineal ancestry was also traced back to the Ambundu ethnic group of Angola and one line of his mother's to the Bamileke of Cameroon.[25][26] He also traced his family tree back to the 1830s.[27] Tucker and Gates were shown visiting Angola, the birthplace of some of his ancestors.[28]
In 2014, Tucker settled a $2.5 million tax debt. A representative blamed "poor accounting and business management".[29] In November 2021, the IRS sued Tucker seeking $9.6 million in back taxes.[30]
Also in 2014, Tucker told an interviewer that he refrains from using harsh profanity in his performances due to his Christian faith.[31]
In 2021, Tucker joined the Heal Los Angeles Foundation as an official ambassador. The Foundation is co-founded by Michael Jackson’s son, Prince Jackson, and their purpose is to help inner-city youth in Los Angeles by ending homelessness, child abuse, and hunger in the city.[32]
During the 2022 Halloween Thriller Night hosted by the Heal Los Angeles Foundation, Tucker and Steve Harvey were honored and received the inaugural "Man in The Mirror" Award. The award is given to influential individuals using their platforms for good. Tucker accepted the award that was presented by Prince Jackson.[33]
^ abGates, Henry Louis Jr. (January 2009). In Search of Our Roots: How 19 Extraordinary Blacks Reclaimed Their Past. Crown. p. 397. ISBN978-0-307-38240-5.
^. Archived from the original on March 3, 2016. Retrieved February 7, 2016.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: unfit URL (link) Official Bio
^Giles, Jeff. "Chris Tucker, Brett Ratner Reteam for Sinatra" November 5, 2012, at the Wayback Machine, Rotten Tomatoes, September 20, 2007.
^Sneider, Jeff (September 6, 2011). "Chris Tucker break ends in 'Silver Linings'".
^Falcone, Dana Rose (May 21, 2019). "Family Night Out! Chris Tucker Brings Lookalike Son to Quentin Tarantino's Cannes Premiere". People.
^"Chris Tucker finishes Michael Jordan film in return to Strip". July 8, 2022.
^Hudak, Stephen (October 12, 2011). "Foreclosure papers filed on Central Florida mansion of 'Rush Hour' star Chris Tucker". Orlando Sentinel. Retrieved July 14, 2022.
^Nedra Pickler (January 22, 2008). "Obama sees rock-star power in action". Yahoo! News. Retrieved January 28, 2008.[dead link]
^Candace Newson (January 26, 2008). "On the trail: Stars talk politics, endorsements as they 'stand for change' with Obama". The Times and Democrat. Retrieved January 28, 2008.
^Richard Willing (February 1, 2006). "DNA rewrites history for African-Americans". USA Today. Retrieved August 5, 2008.
^"African Ancestry & DNA Tests: The Results" March 6, 2016, at the Wayback Machine.
^. The A.V. Club. Archived from the original on December 31, 2008.
^African Ancestry & DNA Tests December 12, 2007, at the Wayback Machine.
^Oprah, Bishop Jakes, Chris Tucker Trace Roots On PBS March 3, 2016, at the Wayback Machine. January 31, 2006. Retrieved April 18, 2015.
^Duke, Alan (September 1, 2014). "Chris Tucker settles huge tax bill; poor management blamed for IRS lien". CNN. Retrieved June 6, 2016.
^Brisco, Elise (November 17, 2021). "'Friday' star Chris Tucker faces lawsuit claiming he owes IRS more than $9 million in taxes". USAToday.com. Retrieved November 28, 2021.
^MacPherson, Guy (July 23, 2014). "Faith keeps Chris Tucker's comedy clean". The Georgia Straight.
^America, Good Morning. "Prince Jackson to host annual 'Thriller' costume party at Jackson family estate". Good Morning America.
^"Prince Jackson Says 'So Much' of Father Michael Remains 'in His Music'". Peoplemag.
^"Epstein's Former Pilot Testifies About Shuttling Clinton, Trump and Spacey". Bloomberg. November 30, 2021. Retrieved April 2, 2023.
chris, tucker, british, make, artist, christopher, tucker, christopher, tucker, born, august, 1971, american, stand, comedian, actor, tucker, made, debut, 1992, stand, performer, comedy, series, comedy, where, frequently, appeared, show, during, 1990s, acted, . For the British make up artist see Christopher Tucker Christopher Tucker born August 31 1971 is an American stand up comedian and actor Tucker made his debut in 1992 as a stand up performer on the HBO comedy series Def Comedy Jam where he frequently appeared on the show during the 1990s He acted in the films Friday The Fifth Element Money Talks and Jackie Brown and later gained widespread fame and popularity in the 2000s for playing Detective James Carter in the Rush Hour series Chris TuckerTucker in 2019Birth nameChristopher TuckerBorn 1971 08 31 August 31 1971 age 51 Atlanta Georgia U S MediumStand upfilmtelevisionYears active1992 presentGenresObservational comedysarcasmblack comedyinsult comedySubject s African American culturecurrent eventshuman sexualitypop culturerace relationsracismSpouseAzja Pryor m 1997 div 2003 wbr Children1 Contents 1 Early life and education 2 Career 3 Personal life 4 Filmography 4 1 Film 4 2 Television 4 3 Music videos 5 Awards and nominations 6 References 7 External linksEarly life and education EditChristopher Tucker was born on August 31 1971 1 2 3 in Atlanta Georgia the youngest son of Mary Louise nee Bryant and Norris Tucker 2 One of six children Tucker learned early in life that humor had the power to draw attention to himself both at school and at home 4 His father was an independent businessman who owned a janitorial service 5 6 Tucker grew up in Decatur Georgia and after graduating from Columbia High School he moved to Los Angeles to pursue his comedy career His comedy influences were Richard Pryor and Eddie Murphy and Tucker was known by his teachers and high school classmates for making people laugh by doing impressions of Murphy Michael Jackson and others 7 Tucker grew up in a Pentecostal Christian household as his parents were members of the Church of God in Christ during his childhood 8 Career Edit Tucker in 2000 Tucker began showcasing his comedy skills before an audience in local Atlanta comedy clubs until he decided to move to Los Angeles in 1990 to further pursue his stand up comedy career 9 In 1992 Tucker was a frequent performer on the HBO comedy series Def Comedy Jam 10 He made his cinematic debut in House Party 3 in 1994 11 and gained greater film recognition alongside N W A rapper Ice Cube in Friday the following year 11 In 1997 he co starred in the films The Fifth Element and Money Talks He also played a supporting role in Quentin Tarantino s Jackie Brown and had a starring role in the spy comedy Double O Soul but was never released 12 Along with Hong Kong martial artist Jackie Chan Tucker starred as LAPD detective James Carter in the martial arts action comedy film series Rush Hour After the commercial success of the first Rush Hour film he held out for a 20 million salary for Rush Hour 2 and was paid 25 million for Rush Hour 3 13 The latter was part of a 40 million two movie contract with New Line Cinema that also included an unnamed future film He was also to receive 20 of the gross from Rush Hour 3 14 Tucker did not reprise his role as Smokey in Next Friday 2000 or Friday After Next 2002 for religious reasons later explaining that he didn t want to encourage others to smoke weed 15 He starred in Michael Jackson s video You Rock My World and made a cameo appearance in Tupac Shakur s California Love 16 On February 13 2009 Tucker participated in the NBA All Star Weekend s Celebrity Game Other celebrities participating included rapper Master P NBA Hall of Famers Clyde Drexler and Dominique Wilkins wide receiver Terrell Owens and four Harlem Globetrotters Tucker was announced in 2007 to star in the New Line drama film Mr S My Life with Frank Sinatra directed by Brett Ratner and based on George Jacobs s autobiography of working as Frank Sinatra s valet during the Rat Pack era of 1953 68 17 In 2011 Tucker made a comeback to stand up comedy The next year he returned to film in Silver Linings Playbook co starring Bradley Cooper Jennifer Lawrence and Robert De Niro Tucker s performance in the film was well received by critics and audiences alike 18 The film itself received numerous nominations and awards including the Broadcast Film Critics Association Award for Best Cast He also hosted the 2013 BET Awards In 2016 he appeared in Billy Lynn s Long Halftime Walk Personal life EditTucker has a son named Destin with his ex wife Azja Pryor 19 He divides his time between Los Angeles Las Vegas and Atlanta 20 Tucker once owned a home in Montverde Florida in the Orlando Florida area however it was foreclosed on in 2011 21 Tucker is good friends with fellow Rush Hour co star Jackie Chan He was also close with singer Michael Jackson introducing and dancing with him at his 30th Anniversary Celebration appearing in his video You Rock My World from the 2001 album Invincible and attending his memorial service Tucker s career was also influenced by Jackson as he is seen dancing and singing to Don t Stop Til You Get Enough in a scene in Rush Hour 2 and imitating Jackson s dancing style in Friday He endorsed Barack Obama in the 2008 primaries 22 23 Tucker participated in professor Henry Louis Gates Jr s 2006 PBS documentary on the genetic makeup of African Americans African American Lives that specifically focused on stories of Native American heritage in African American communities Tucker s DNA test results showed African European and likely some Native American ancestors 24 Tucker s patrilineal ancestry was also traced back to the Ambundu ethnic group of Angola and one line of his mother s to the Bamileke of Cameroon 25 26 He also traced his family tree back to the 1830s 27 Tucker and Gates were shown visiting Angola the birthplace of some of his ancestors 28 In 2014 Tucker settled a 2 5 million tax debt A representative blamed poor accounting and business management 29 In November 2021 the IRS sued Tucker seeking 9 6 million in back taxes 30 Also in 2014 Tucker told an interviewer that he refrains from using harsh profanity in his performances due to his Christian faith 31 In 2021 Tucker joined the Heal Los Angeles Foundation as an official ambassador The Foundation is co founded by Michael Jackson s son Prince Jackson and their purpose is to help inner city youth in Los Angeles by ending homelessness child abuse and hunger in the city 32 During the 2022 Halloween Thriller Night hosted by the Heal Los Angeles Foundation Tucker and Steve Harvey were honored and received the inaugural Man in The Mirror Award The award is given to influential individuals using their platforms for good Tucker accepted the award that was presented by Prince Jackson 33 Tucker s connection to Jeffrey Epstein was covered in the 2020 Netflix documentary series Jeffrey Epstein Filthy Rich In 2002 Tucker rode on Epstein s infamous plane alongside Bill Clinton and Kevin Spacey for humanitarian purposes in combating the HIV AIDS epidemic in Africa 34 Filmography EditFilm Edit Year Film Role Notes1993 The Meteor Man M C In Mall Uncredited1994 House Party 3 Johnny Booze1995 Friday SmokeyPanther BodyguardDead Presidents Skip1997 The Fifth Element Ruby RhodMoney Talks Franklin HatchettJackie Brown Beaumont Livingston1998 Rush Hour Detective James Carter2001 Rush Hour 2 Detective James Carter2007 Rush Hour 3 Detective James Carter2012 Silver Linings Playbook Danny McDaniels2016 Billy Lynn s Long Halftime Walk Albert Brown2023 Air Howard WhiteTelevision Edit Year Title Role Notes1992 Hangin with Mr Cooper Rapper Episode Please Pass the Jock Def Comedy Jam Himself 2 episodes2001 32nd NAACP Image Awards Host TV specialMichael Jackson 30th Anniversary Celebration Himself GuestDiary Episode What About Me 2002 33rd NAACP Image Awards Host TV special2005 36th NAACP Image Awards TV special2006 African American Lives Himself 4 episodes2013 BET Awards 2013 Host TV special2015 Chris Tucker Live Himself Netflix Exclusive Standup Special 35 2020 2nd Annual Urban One Honors Co Host TV specialJeffrey Epstein Filthy Rich Himself Archive footageMusic videos Edit Year Title Artist1994 Nuttin But Love Heavy D Heavy D amp the Boyz1995 Keep Their Heads Ringin Dr Dre California Love Tupac Shakur featuring Dr Dre amp Roger Troutman1997 Feel So Good Mase2001 You Rock My World Michael Jackson2005 Shake It Off Mariah Carey2021 Love One Another Tito JacksonAwards and nominations EditYear Award Category Nominated work Result1995 MTV Movie Award Best Comedic Performance Friday NominatedBest Breakthrough Performance NominatedBest On Screen Duo with Ice Cube Nominated1997 Razzie Award Worst New Star The Fifth Element NominatedMoney Talks Nominated1998 Blockbuster Entertainment Award Favorite Duo Action Adventure with Jackie Chan Rush Hour WonMTV Movie Award Best On Screen Duo with Jackie Chan WonImage Awards Outstanding Lead Actor in a Motion Picture NominatedKids Choice Awards Favorite Movie Actor NominatedMTV Movie Award Best Comedic Performance NominatedMTV Movie Award for Best Fight with Jackie Chan Nominated2001 Kids Choice Awards Favorite Movie Actor Rush Hour 2 NominatedBET Award Best Actor NominatedKids Choice Awards Favorite Male Butt Kicker NominatedMTV Movie Award Best Fight with Jackie Chan WonBest Comedic Performance NominatedBest Musical Sequence NominatedBest On Screen with Jackie Chan NominatedTeen Choice Award Movie Actor Comedy WonMovie Chemistry with Jackie Chan Nominated2007 People s Choice Award Favorite On Screen Match up with Jackie Chan Rush Hour 3 NominatedMTV Movie Award Best Fight with Jackie Chan and Sun Mingming Nominated2012 Broadcast Film Critics Association Best Cast Silver Linings Playbook NominatedScreen Actors Guild Award Outstanding Cast in a Motion Picture NominatedReferences Edit Stated on African American Lives 2006 a b Gates Henry Louis Jr January 2009 In Search of Our Roots How 19 Extraordinary Blacks Reclaimed Their Past Crown p 397 ISBN 978 0 307 38240 5 Bio Chris Tucker Actor Comedian Humanitarian Chris Tucker Archived from the original on March 3 2016 Retrieved February 7 2016 a href Template Cite web html title Template Cite web cite web a CS1 maint unfit URL link Official Bio Tucker s early life Archived from the original on March 29 2019 Chris Tucker Biography Yahoo Movies Archived October 29 2011 at the Wayback Machine Chris Tucker Biography Archived March 4 2016 at the Wayback Machine filmreference com Abbey C D ed 2001 Biography today Profiles of people of interest to young readers Detroit MI Omnigraphics Chris Tucker gets serious about the film industry March 10 2014 Oblender D G Phelps S Rubiner J Pendergast S 2008 Chris Tucker Contemporary Black Biography 62 144 147 mirobo1 Added August 31 2006 Def Comedy Jam on Tv com Retrieved January 11 2011 a b Chris Tucker at IMDb Who s Who in America 68th ed Berkeley Heights NJ Marquis Who s Who 2013 Grossberg Josh Chris Tucker s Taxing Situation Archived July 31 2010 at the Wayback Machine E News July 28 2010 Chris Tucker signs onto Brett Ratner s Rush Hour 3 Archived August 4 2009 at the Wayback Machine MovieWeb com May 5 2005 Retrieved August 5 2007 Ice Cube reveals Chris Tucker turned down 12M for role in Friday sequel cnn com December 30 2021 Retrieved December 31 2021 You Rock My World at IMDb Giles Jeff Chris Tucker Brett Ratner Reteam for Sinatra Archived November 5 2012 at the Wayback Machine Rotten Tomatoes September 20 2007 Sneider Jeff September 6 2011 Chris Tucker break ends in Silver Linings Falcone Dana Rose May 21 2019 Family Night Out Chris Tucker Brings Lookalike Son to Quentin Tarantino s Cannes Premiere People Chris Tucker finishes Michael Jordan film in return to Strip July 8 2022 Hudak Stephen October 12 2011 Foreclosure papers filed on Central Florida mansion of Rush Hour star Chris Tucker Orlando Sentinel Retrieved July 14 2022 Nedra Pickler January 22 2008 Obama sees rock star power in action Yahoo News Retrieved January 28 2008 dead link Candace Newson January 26 2008 On the trail Stars talk politics endorsements as they stand for change with Obama The Times and Democrat Retrieved January 28 2008 Richard Willing February 1 2006 DNA rewrites history for African Americans USA Today Retrieved August 5 2008 African Ancestry amp DNA Tests The Results Archived March 6 2016 at the Wayback Machine Chris Tucker and Brett Ratner The A V Club Archived from the original on December 31 2008 African Ancestry amp DNA Tests Archived December 12 2007 at the Wayback Machine Oprah Bishop Jakes Chris Tucker Trace Roots On PBS Archived March 3 2016 at the Wayback Machine January 31 2006 Retrieved April 18 2015 Duke Alan September 1 2014 Chris Tucker settles huge tax bill poor management blamed for IRS lien CNN Retrieved June 6 2016 Brisco Elise November 17 2021 Friday star Chris Tucker faces lawsuit claiming he owes IRS more than 9 million in taxes USAToday com Retrieved November 28 2021 MacPherson Guy July 23 2014 Faith keeps Chris Tucker s comedy clean The Georgia Straight America Good Morning Prince Jackson to host annual Thriller costume party at Jackson family estate Good Morning America Prince Jackson Says So Much of Father Michael Remains in His Music Peoplemag Epstein s Former Pilot Testifies About Shuttling Clinton Trump and Spacey Bloomberg November 30 2021 Retrieved April 2 2023 Chris Tucker Live IMDb External links Edit Wikiquote has quotations related to Chris Tucker Chris Tucker Archived from the original on July 13 2022 a href Template Cite web html title Template Cite web cite web a CS1 maint unfit URL link Chris Tucker at IMDb Retrieved from https en wikipedia org w index php title Chris Tucker amp oldid 1151513574, wikipedia, wiki, book, books, library,
