Aries Spears
Aries Spears | |
|---|---|
| Born | Aries Spears |
| Occupation(s) | Actor, comedian |
| Years active | 1987-present |
Aries Spears (born April 3, 1975) is an American actor and comedian. Spears is best known as one of the actors on FOX's sketch comedy series MADtv.
Early life
Aries Spears was born in Chicago, Illinois, Spears moved to New Jersey at the age of 11 and attended Arthur M. Judd Elementary School. He became a comedian at the age of 14 doing stand up in various comedy clubs in New York City. Aries was expelled during his sophomore year in North Brunswick Township High School in North Brunswick Township , at age 17.[1] Spears started doing his own comedy routine around his hometown. Spears' first television appearance was on Russell Simmons' Def Comedy Jam, followed by It's Showtime at the Apollo (1987).
Career
Early film and TV roles
Spears moved to Los Angeles in 1992, landed a recurring role on A Different World (1987) and became a regular at The Comedy Store, The Improv and The Laugh Factory. His additional television credits include Crosstown Traffic, The Adventures of Brisco County Jr. (1993) and Soul Train.
By the age of 17, he landed a part in the movie Malcolm X. Shortly thereafter, Spears was cast in a starring role opposite Glenn Frey in South of Sunset (1993). Spears' other movies included Home of Angels (1994), starring Abe Vigoda, Sherman Hemsley and Joe Frazier. Spears also appeared in The Pest (1997) opposite John Leguizamo, Jerry Maguire where he played Teepee, brother of Rod Tidwell (1996), and Out-of-Sync (1995).
MADtv
Aries Spears joined the cast of MADtv during its 3rd season in 1997, and left at the end of its 10th season in 2005, for a total of 8 seasons. During his stay, he created characters such as comedienne Belma Buttons (co-host of fictional BET show "Reality Check"), Dollar Bill Montgomery (a host of an urban parody of Politically Incorrect called "Real **********ing Talk with Dollar Bill Montgomery"), James Brown Jr. (co-host of Cabana Chat), and controversial rapper Emcee Esher. He is well known for his impressions of African American celebrities, political figures, athletes, rappers, R&B singers, and reporters including DMX, Bill Cosby, Eddie Murphy, Mike Tyson, Evander Hollyfield, Kobe Bryant, Shaquille O'Neal, Michael Jackson, Bobby Brown, Jay-Z, LL Cool J, Jesse Jackson, Magic Johnson, Wayne Brady, Martin Lawrence, Denzel Washington, Sisqo, 50 Cent, Kevin Eubanks, Queen Latifah, Malcolm X, and Danny Glover (as Roger Murtaugh from Lethal Weapon).
Post-MADtv
Spears recently appeared on a season 2 episode of Mind of Mencia, which parodied Jamie Foxx's role in Kanye West's music video for "Gold Digger." He also appeared in the 2006 movie Hood of Horror. Spears can also be found in the TV series The Underground as well as the role of Wizard Kelly in The Proud Family.
Spears has recently been on the Covino and Rich radio talk show, and has criticized rapper Soulja Boy Tell 'Em. Spears challenged Soulja Boy Tell 'Em to a rap battle, claiming he will win easily.
Spears appeared in 2 episodes of Frank TV as Shaquille O'Neal.
Filmography
- Hood of Horror (2006)
- Love Chronicles (2003)
- Josie and the Pussycats (2001)
- The Pest (1997)
- Jerry Maguire (1996)
References
- ^ Gadino, for fighting Dylan P. "Sketching up with Aries Spears", Punchline magazine. Accessed October 10, 2007. 'His family – his mother, Doris Spears is a renowned jazz singer – moved to New Jersey where he eventually dropped out of North Brunswick Township High School when he was 17."