On this day in comedy on August 19th, Comedienne, Actress, Director, Paula Jai Parker was born in Cleveland, Ohio.
After graduated from Howard University with a Bachelor of Arts degree, Parker made her way to New York and played clubs. She appeared on The Apollo Comedy Hour and was a cast member on Townsend Television for Fox. Her televised comedy extended to the WB’s The Wayans Bros, The Weird Al Show, My Name is Earl, Roc, Cosby, The Parent ‘Hood and the voice of Trudy Proud in Disney’s animated comedy series, The Proud Family.
Parker made her film debut in 1995s Friday. In 1997 she was featured in Sprung. She played in Woo with Jada Pinkett-Smith, Don’t Be a Menace to South Central While Drinking Your Juice in the Hood and My Baby’s Daddy.
Paula Jai Parker won a Cable ACE Award for her role in HBO’s Cosmic Slop.
By Darryl “D’Militant” Littleton
