He's the voice that has made millions laugh for over 27 years. Whether he portrayed Bernice Jenkins, Lil Daryl or himself Ricky Smiley was born to do it.
The A-Scene’s Francesca Amiker got a chance to sit down with the comedy maven about his latest season of his show “Rickey Smiley for Real” but he also shared the one life mantra that he lives by.
It’s no question that Rickey Smiley has created an empire going from a comedian to a TV host on Atlanta-filmed “Comicview”, all the way to having his own radio and TV show filmed in the peach state. So, you wouldn't guess that long ago.
“I thought I was going to be a gospel musician. That was my goal in life. Like the Kirk Franklin or the Kirk Carr,” Smiley said.
But in 1991, he'd pick up a mic that would change his life.
“That first night I was funny, I knew I was going to make it. I only had 5 minutes on stage, but I knew I was going to make it,” Smiley said.
From then on Smiley continued to make it, becoming a symbol of perseverance for comedians, providing opportunities for young men even showing the world how he juggles being a father of four with his new show “Rickey Smiley for Real”.
But out of all his success he says only one thing should matter.
“When you go from being funny to people saying you inspire me, you help me, you gave this kid scholarships…when your body is laying in front of the church, and people are not lined up to get to that microphone just to have a moment to talk about how you have impacted their life, then you have wasted time on this earth,” Smiley told the A-Scene.
You can catch the “Rickey Smiley For Real” on TVOne. Just check your local listings.
