Chris Tucker | |
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Birth name | Christopher Tucker |
Born | Atlanta, Georgia, U.S. | August 31, 1971
Medium |
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Years active | 1992–present |
Genres | |
Subject(s) | |
Spouse | Azja Pryor (m. 1997;div. 2003) |
Children | 1 |
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.
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 a Pentecostal Christian household; his parents were members of the Church of God in Christ during his childhood. [7]
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. [8]
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 marijuana. [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 . In 2023, he portrayed Nike executive Howard White in the film Air .
He endorsed Barack Obama in the 2008 primaries. [19] [20]
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. [21]
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. [22]
Tucker has a son named Destin with his ex-wife Azja Pryor. [23] He divides his time between Los Angeles, Las Vegas, and Atlanta. [24]
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.
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. [25] 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. [26] [27] He also traced his family tree back to the 1830s. [28] Tucker and Gates were shown visiting Angola, the birthplace of some of his ancestors. [29]
In 2014, Tucker settled a $2.5 million tax debt. A representative blamed "poor accounting and business management". [30] In November 2021, the IRS sued Tucker, seeking $9.6 million in back taxes. [31]
Also in 2014, Tucker told an interviewer that he refrains from using harsh profanity in his performances due to his Christian faith. [32]
Tucker's connection to Jeffrey Epstein was covered in the 2020 Netflix documentary series Jeffrey Epstein: Filthy Rich . In 2002, Tucker traveled in Epstein's airplane alongside Bill Clinton and Kevin Spacey for humanitarian purposes in combating the HIV/AIDS epidemic in Africa. [33]
Year | Film | Role | Notes |
---|---|---|---|
1993 | The Meteor Man | M.C. In Mall | Uncredited |
1994 | House Party 3 | Johnny Booze | |
1995 | Friday | Smokey | |
Panther | Bodyguard | ||
Dead Presidents | Skip | ||
1997 | The Fifth Element | Ruby Rhod | |
Money Talks | Franklin Maurice Hatchett | Also executive producer | |
Jackie Brown | Beaumont Livingston | ||
1998 | Rush Hour | James Carter | |
2001 | Rush Hour 2 | James Carter | |
2007 | Rush Hour 3 | James Carter | |
2012 | Silver Linings Playbook | Danny McDaniels | |
2016 | Billy Lynn's Long Halftime Walk | Albert Brown | |
2023 | Air | Howard White | |
TBA | Rush Hour 4 | James Carter |
Year | Title | Role | Notes |
---|---|---|---|
1992 | Hangin' with Mr. Cooper | Rapper | Episode: "Please Pass the Jock" |
Def Comedy Jam | Himself | 2 episodes | |
2001 | 32nd NAACP Image Awards | Host | TV special |
Michael Jackson: 30th Anniversary Celebration | Himself | Guest | |
Diary | Episode: "What About Me?" | ||
2002 | 33rd NAACP Image Awards | Host | TV special |
2005 | 36th NAACP Image Awards | TV special | |
2006 | African American Lives | Himself | 4 episodes |
2013 | BET Awards 2013 | Host | TV special |
2015 | Chris Tucker – Live | Himself | Netflix exclusive stand-up comedy special [34] |
2020 | 2nd Annual Urban One Honors | Co-Host | TV special |
Jeffrey Epstein: Filthy Rich | Himself | Archive footage |
Year | Title | Artist |
---|---|---|
1994 | "Nuttin' But Love (Heavy D)" | Heavy D & the Boyz |
1995 | "Keep Their Heads Ringin'" | Dr. Dre |
"California Love" | Tupac Shakur featuring Dr. Dre & Roger Troutman | |
1997 | "Feel So Good" | Mase |
2001 | "You Rock My World" | Michael Jackson |
2005 | "Shake It Off" | Mariah Carey |
2021 | "Love One Another" | Tito Jackson |
Chan Kong-sang,, known professionally as Jackie Chan, is a Hong Kong actor, director, writer, producer, martial artist, and stuntman known for his slapstick acrobatic fighting style, comic timing, and innovative stunts, which he typically performs himself. Before entering the film industry, he was one of the Seven Little Fortunes from the China Drama Academy at the Peking Opera School, where he studied acrobatics, martial arts, and acting. Chan has been acting since the 1960s, performing in more than 150 films. He is one of the most influential action film stars of all time.
Brett Ratner is an American film director and producer. He directed the Rush Hour film series, The Family Man, Red Dragon, X-Men: The Last Stand, and Tower Heist. He is a producer of several films, including the Horrible Bosses series, The Revenant and War Dogs, and was an executive producer of the television series Prison Break.
Samuel George Davis Jr. was an American singer, actor, comedian and dancer.
Rush Hour is a 1998 American buddy action comedy film directed by Brett Ratner and written by Jim Kouf and Ross LaManna from a story by LaManna. It stars Jackie Chan and Chris Tucker as mismatched police officers who are assigned to rescue a Chinese diplomat's abducted daughter. Tzi Ma, Tom Wilkinson, Ken Leung, Mark Rolston, Elizabeth Peña, and Rex Linn play supporting roles. Released on September 18, 1998, the film grossed over $244 million worldwide. Its box office commercial success led to two sequels: Rush Hour 2 (2001) and Rush Hour 3 (2007).
Rush Hour 2 is a 2001 American buddy action comedy film directed by Brett Ratner and written by Jeff Nathanson, based on the characters created by Ross LaManna. A sequel to Rush Hour, it is the second installment in the Rush Hour franchise and stars Jackie Chan and Chris Tucker reprising their roles from the first film. The story follows Chief Inspector Lee (Chan) and LAPD Detective James Carter (Tucker), who go to Hong Kong on vacation only to be thwarted by a murder case involving two U.S. customs agents after a bombing at the American embassy. Lee suspects that the crime is linked to the Triad crime lord Ricky Tan (Lone).
Tatchakorn Yeerum, better known internationally as Tony Jaa and in Thailand as Jaa Phanom, is a Thai martial artist, actor, action choreographer, stuntman, director, and traceur.
After the Sunset is a 2004 American heist action comedy film directed by Brett Ratner and starring Pierce Brosnan as Max Burdett, a master thief caught in a pursuit with FBI agent Stan Lloyd, played by Woody Harrelson. It was shot in the Bahamas. The film was met with negative reviews and flopped at the box office.
Rebecca Gayheart is an American actress and model. She began her career as a teen model in the 1980s and subsequently appeared in a student short film by Brett Ratner, with whom she had an extensive relationship.
Brian Thomas Grazer is an American film and television producer. He founded Imagine Entertainment in 1986 with Ron Howard. The films they produced have grossed over $15 billion. Grazer was personally nominated for four Academy Awards for Splash (1984), Apollo 13 (1995), A Beautiful Mind (2001), and Frost/Nixon (2008). His films and TV series have been nominated for 47 Academy Awards and 217 Emmy Awards.
Money Talks is a 1997 American action comedy film directed by Brett Ratner and starring Chris Tucker and Charlie Sheen. It is the first of four collaborations between Brett Ratner and Chris Tucker, with the other three being the Rush Hour series.
Felix Gary Gray is an American director and producer. Gray began his career as a director on numerous critically acclaimed and award-winning music videos, including "It Was a Good Day" by Ice Cube, "Natural Born Killaz" by Dr. Dre and Ice Cube, "Keep Their Heads Ringin'" by Dr. Dre, "Waterfalls" by TLC, and "Ms. Jackson" by Outkast.
Rush Hour 3 is a 2007 American buddy action comedy film directed by Brett Ratner, written by Jeff Nathanson, and starring Jackie Chan, Chris Tucker, Max von Sydow, Hiroyuki Sanada, Noémie Lenoir, Yvan Attal and Youki Kudoh. It is the third installment in the Rush Hour franchise and centers on Inspector Lee (Chan) and Officer Carter (Tucker) tracking an assassin to Paris to unravel a mystery about the Chinese triads. Announced on May 7, 2006, filming began on July 4 on location in Paris and Los Angeles. Released on August 10, 2007, the film received negative reviews and grossed $258.1 million worldwide against a $140 million budget.
Kenneth Leung is an American actor. His roles include Sang in Rush Hour, Miles Straume in Lost, Admiral Statura in Star Wars: The Force Awakens, and Eric Tao in HBO's Industry.
Jeffrey D. Nathanson is an American screenwriter, director, and producer.
Double Dynamite is a 1951 American musical comedy film directed by Irving Cummings and starring Jane Russell, Groucho Marx, and Frank Sinatra. The film was written by Leo Rosten (story), Melville Shavelson (screenplay), Mannie Manheim, and Harry Crane.
Jackie Chan began his film career as an extra child actor in the 1962 film Big and Little Wong Tin Bar. Ten years later, he was a stuntman opposite Bruce Lee in 1972's Fist of Fury and 1973's Enter the Dragon. He then had starring roles in several kung fu films, such as 1973's Little Tiger of Canton and 1976's New Fist of Fury. His first major breakthrough was the 1978 kung fu action comedy film Snake in the Eagle's Shadow, which was shot while he was loaned to Seasonal Film Corporation under a two-picture deal. He then enjoyed huge success with similar kung fu action comedy films such as 1978's Drunken Master and 1980's The Young Master. Jackie Chan began experimenting with elaborate stunt action sequences in The Young Master and especially Dragon Lord (1982).
Roscoe's House of Chicken 'N Waffles is an American soul food restaurant chain that operates seven locations in the Los Angeles metropolitan area. It was founded by Herb Hudson in 1975. The Los Angeles Times has referred to Roscoe's as "such an L.A. institution that people don't even question the strange combo anymore." The New York Times refers to it as a "beloved soul food chain." The original location in Long Beach, California remains open.
The Rush Hour franchise is a series of American action comedy films created by Ross LaManna and directed by Brett Ratner with both Jackie Chan and Chris Tucker in leading roles. All three films center around a pair of police detectives, Hong Kong Chief Inspector Lee (Chan) and Los Angeles Police Detective James Carter (Tucker), who go on their series of misadventures involving corrupt crime figures in Hong Kong and Los Angeles. The films incorporate elements of martial arts, humor, and the buddy cop subgenre. The films were released theatrically from 1998 to 2007, attaining commercial success, but critical reception was mixed.
Tower Heist is a 2011 American heist comedy film directed by Brett Ratner, written by Ted Griffin and Jeff Nathanson, based on a story by Bill Collage, Adam Cooper and Griffin and starring Ben Stiller and Eddie Murphy with Casey Affleck, Alan Alda, Matthew Broderick, Judd Hirsch, Téa Leoni, Michael Peña, and Gabourey Sidibe in supporting roles. The plot follows employees of an exclusive apartment building who lose their pensions in the Ponzi scheme of a Wall Street businessman and enlist the aid of a criminal, a bankrupt businessman, and an immigrant maid to break into his apartment and steal back their money while avoiding the FBI agents in charge of his case.
Numerous films and television shows have been set or filmed partially at Los Angeles International Airport (LAX), at least partly due to the airport's proximity to Hollywood studios. Film shoots at the Los Angeles airports, including LAX, produced $590 million for the Los Angeles region from 2002 to 2005.
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