René Hicks
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Born Name:
Marian Hicks
Born Date: June 28, 1956
Born Place: San Francisco, California
Died Date:
Died Place:
Occupations: Comedian, actress
Brief Biography: René Hicks is known for being the first African-American woman nominated for an American Comedy Award for "Best Female Stand-Up". Before entering show business, she was a Certified Public Accountant (CPA) and a college athlete.
Early Life and Career Shift:
Background: She was raised by a Pentecostal preacher father.
Education: She earned a business degree and worked for a major accounting firm after passing the CPA exam.
Comedy Debut: She took the stage on a dare at a local comedy club—the same venue where Robin Williams started—and was an immediate hit, leading her to leave accounting for comedy within a year.
Career Highlights:
Awards: She is a two-time NACA Comedy Entertainer of the Year (1995 and 1997) and was heavily sought after on the college circuit, performing at over 650 institutions.
Television & Specials:
Comedy Central Presents: Featured in her own half-hour special.
Guest Appearances: Appeared on The Daily Show, Hangin' with Mr. Cooper, and Midnight Caller.
Stand-up Records: Released albums like Let's Roll under Stand Up! Records.
Film:
Had a role in the 1994 film A Low Down Dirty Shame.
Personal Life:
Hicks is a cancer survivor, having overcome a major crisis with lung cancer. She has since used her platform to advocate for various cancer organizations and community causes like the Special Olympics and Project Angel Food.
Born Date: June 28, 1956
Born Place: San Francisco, California
Died Date:
Died Place:
Occupations: Comedian, actress
Brief Biography: René Hicks is known for being the first African-American woman nominated for an American Comedy Award for "Best Female Stand-Up". Before entering show business, she was a Certified Public Accountant (CPA) and a college athlete.
Early Life and Career Shift:
Background: She was raised by a Pentecostal preacher father.
Education: She earned a business degree and worked for a major accounting firm after passing the CPA exam.
Comedy Debut: She took the stage on a dare at a local comedy club—the same venue where Robin Williams started—and was an immediate hit, leading her to leave accounting for comedy within a year.
Career Highlights:
Awards: She is a two-time NACA Comedy Entertainer of the Year (1995 and 1997) and was heavily sought after on the college circuit, performing at over 650 institutions.
Television & Specials:
Comedy Central Presents: Featured in her own half-hour special.
Guest Appearances: Appeared on The Daily Show, Hangin' with Mr. Cooper, and Midnight Caller.
Stand-up Records: Released albums like Let's Roll under Stand Up! Records.
Film:
Had a role in the 1994 film A Low Down Dirty Shame.
Personal Life:
Hicks is a cancer survivor, having overcome a major crisis with lung cancer. She has since used her platform to advocate for various cancer organizations and community causes like the Special Olympics and Project Angel Food.