Rickey Smiley is the host of the nationally syndicated radio program, "The Rickey Smiley Morning Show" and CEO of Breakwind Entertainment.
He is known for having made millions laugh for over 27 years. As a celebrated comedian, television host and top-rated nationally-syndicated radio personality, Rickey has earned a reputation for delivering to audiences both on and off stage. With the distinct ability to take everyday observations and turn them into comedic gold, Rickey is one of the few “clean” comics amongst the upper echelon of contemporary comedians.
At any given performance, audiences are treated to such original characters as Bernice Jenkins, Lil’ Daryl, Joe Willie and Beauford. In addition, his comedy shows often include a live band, which he often accompanies (he is an accomplished pianist and organist).
Rickey has recorded eight best-selling albums, including iTunes #1 best-selling comedy album, “Rickey Smiley: Prank Calls Number 6.” Smiley has hosted BET’s “Open Casket Sharp” and “Comic View,” and has appeared on “Showtime At The Apollo,” “Uptown Comedy Club,” HBO’s “Def Comedy Jam” and “Snaps.” In addition to being featured on "Dish Nation," his nationally syndicated morning radio show can be heard in over 50 markets.
Rickey hails from Birmingham, Alabama. He graduated from Woodlawn High School and went on to attend college at Alabama State University in Montgomery, Alabama.
Rickey joined forces with Radio One-owned television network, TV One as the star, executive producer and namesake of his own top rated docu-series, “Rickey Smiley For Real.” In its fifth season now, the amusing series features the balancing act of a working radio host, comedian, business mogul, and philanthropist with the joys and pains of being a single father.
Continuing to grow his fan base Rickey’s arresting natural talent is best demonstrated in his major feature film roles in urban classics including “All About The Benjamins” and “Friday After Next,” along with his most recent starring turn in the hit romantic comedy “Baggage Claim.”
Life off-stage, Rickey is dedicated to empowering and enriching the communities in which he serves daily. This performer has a heart of gold reflected in his burning commitment and ongoing desire to champion underserved communities through The Rickey Smiley Foundation. A non-profit organization founded to help serve underserved communities.
Rickey also is an esteemed and honored member of Omega Psi Phi Fraternity, and Kappa Kappa Psi National Band fraternity. He is the proud father of six children. Gallery Books, an imprint of Simon & Schuster, will publish Smiley's first book in the fall of 2017 entitled "STAND BY YOUR TRUTH: And Then Run for Your Life," which is already expected to be a best seller. @rickeysmiley
The Jeffrey Dahmer craze is starting to get under some companies’ skin.
eBay’s not worried about its bottom line regarding Dahmer costumes and has banned the sale of them all on its auction-based platform.
The fascination behind the serial killer has been at an all-time high since Netflix’s Monster: The Jeffrey Dahmer Story premiered on September 21. And with Halloween around the corner, the sale of orange jumpsuits and glasses similar to Dahmer’s has gone up, but Buzzfeed reached out to eBay to get more information on halting such buys.
“A spokesperson confirmed to BuzzFeed News that the selling platform was actively removing these listings and that they were ‘prohibited,’ although some listings are still active at the time of publication,” Buzzfeed writes. “Items that have been posted on eBay include an orange jumpsuit with a mask based on actor Evan Peters’s portrayal of Dahmer in the Netflix series Monster: The Jeffrey Dahmer Story and glasses that resemble the ones worn by Dahmer.”
eBay isn’t entirely against gory costumes, but any merchandise meant to portray individuals who committed violent crimes within the past 100 years are against its rules.
The show’s popularity has skyrocketed and led to the series becoming the second most-watched English-language original, only behind Stranger Things 4.
Companies like eBay aren’t the only parties disagreeing with the Dahmer hype; one of his victim’s mother’s recently told TMZ how triggering it is that Dahmer’s name is once again a mainstay in pop culture.
“It’s already super triggering to see a hit Netflix series about the serial killer, much less folks dressing like the killer,” Shirley Hughes reportedly told TMZ.
Her son, Tony, was deaf, non-vocal, and one of the 17 people murdered by Dahmer. Per a 1992 article from the Associated Press, Dahmer picked up Tony at a gay bar, drugged him, and cut his body into pieces — but kept the skull.
