Kenan Thompson

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Kenan Thompson
Thompson at the 2006 San Diego Comic-Con
Thompson at the 2006 San Diego Comic-Con
Birth name Kenan Thompson
Born May 10, 1978 (1978-05-10) (age 30)
Flag of the United States Atlanta, Georgia
Medium television, film
Nationality American
Years active 1994 ─ present
Genres Character comedy, Situation Comedy

Kenan Thompson (born May 10, 1978) is an American actor and comedian who is currently known for the titular role in Fat Albert, as a regular cast member of Saturday Night Live, and as a former cast member of All That. Many people know him for his role in Kenan and Kel. He resides both in New York City and Los Angeles. He ranks at #88 on VH1's 100 Greatest Teen Stars.

Contents

[edit] Biography

[edit] Early life

Kenan was born in Atlanta, Georgia, the son of Fletcher and Elizabeth Ann Thompson.[1] He began acting at the age of five, appearing in the school play The Gingerbread Man.[2]While Kenan attended Tri-Cities High School, a Visual and Performing Arts Magnet School, he began filming his first movie, Heavyweights.

[edit] Film & television career

Thompson's first appearance was in the movie Heavyweights. Thompson got his first big break when he was 16. He started on Nickelodeon's All That from 1994 to 1999. He and co-star Kel Mitchell had their own spin-off television series Kenan & Kel which ran 1996 to 2000. In 2001, his official fan club was started. Thompson was also the host of the second season of Nickelodeon's animation showcase Oh Yeah! Cartoons. Kenan also has a voice role in the Nickelodeon cartoon The Mighty B!

Kenan has starred in several films including: Good Burger (1997), based on the All That sketch of the same name, playing Dexter Reed; and Fat Albert (2004), in which he played the title character. He has also had supporting roles in the movies Snakes on a Plane (2006), Love Don't Cost a Thing (2003), Barbershop 2: Back in Business (2004) Heavyweights (1995) and D3: The Mighty Ducks (1996).

[edit] Saturday Night Live

In 2003, after Dean Edwards and Tracy Morgan left the regular cast of Saturday Night Live, Kenan Thompson and Finesse Mitchell joined the cast as featured players. In the 2005-06 season, Mitchell and Thompson became full-fledged cast members (with their places in the feature player credit taken by Bill Hader, Andy Samberg, and, later, Kristen Wiig).

Born in 1978, he was the first SNL cast member to be born after the series began in 1975. He is also the only All That alumnus to date to be an SNL cast member.

Recurring Characters:

  • Jake Denmont ("Appalachian Emergency Room")
  • DJ Dynasty Handbag ("Deep House Dish")
  • DJ Sugar Shock ("Rap Night")
  • Barbara Birmingham
  • Givindy ("Gays in Space")
  • Malik (Starkisha's boyfriend)
  • Marcus, interpreter to racist deaf comedian Ritchie B (Fred Armisen)
  • Virginiaca Hastings ("Shopping With Virginiaca"), a black woman who bails her stepdaughters (variously played by hosts Jamie Pressly, Justin Timberlake, Scarlett Johansson, and Ellen Page) out of trouble (often by offering sexual favors).
  • Reggie Hudson, the band leader and often butt of Dakota's jokes. ("The Dakota Fanning Show")
  • Jean K. Jean, the French Def Jam comedian

Celebrity Impersonations:

[edit] Other work

In 2002, Thompson recorded The Good Times Comedy CD. He wrote the introduction for the book Chicken Soup for the Preteen Soul, as well as the short story entitled "The Little Notice" for Chicken Soup for the Kid's Soul.

[edit] Filmography

[edit] Movies

[edit] Notes

  • He's a big Atlanta Falcons Fan.
  • Also he's good friends with Kel Mitchell.

[edit] Television

[edit] References

Wikimedia Commons has media related to:

[edit] External links