Wanda Sykes

Wanda Sykes

Comedian


Sometimes it's being in a place where you know this is not what I want to do. That pushes you to go ahead…and go after what it is that you really enjoy…for me, it was comedy.

Videos

By Roadtrip Nation

Wanda Sykes

Milestones

My road in life has been direct.
Graduated from Hampton University with a degree in marketing.
Living in the Washington D.C. area, the thing to do was to work for the government, so she got a job with the NSA.
She was moving up through the ranks and had a comfortable salary, but she knew that wasn't what she wanted to do with her life.
She'd always watched comics on TV; one day, she heard about a local comedy talent show and decided to enter.
After auditioning, she made it into the talent show; after that, she started going to comedy clubs all the time.
The more comedy she did, the more she was sure it was her calling; eventually she officially quit her NSA job and gave up her "safety net."
Whenever times were hard or she was having doubts, she remembered her miserable NSA job and that motivated her to keep going.
Of course, she's had setbacks-including a memorable show where she bombed in front of her family and friends-but she's truly living her dream.
Keep following my journey

Career

Comedian

I'm a comedian, writer, actress, voice artist, and advocate for LGBT rights.

Career Roadmap

Roadmap
My work combines:
My work combines:
Acting & Theatre
Film
Communicating / Sharing Stories

Interviewed By

Davis - Los Angeles

Davis - Los Angeles

In Davis, the US team visits Lee Walthall, owner of the Delta of Venus Cafe. Next it's off to Los Angeles where they sit down with actor and stand-up comedian Wanda Sykes. The team arrives to their final interview with Dr. Linda Li of the TV show, Dr. 90210.