J. B. Smoove
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Born Name:
Jerry Angelo Brooks
Born Date: December 16, 1965
Born Place: Plymouth, North Carolina
Died Date:
Died Place:
Occupations: Actor, comedian, writer
Brief Biography: J. B. Smoove is recognized best known for his iconic, Emmy-winning career, including his breakout role as the unapologetic and charismatic Leon Black on HBO's Curb Your Enthusiasm, his writing/performing on Saturday Night Live, and roles in the Marvel Cinematic Universe.
Early Life & Stand-Up Origins:
Born in North Carolina, and raised in the projects of Mount Vernon, New York, Jerry Angelo Brooks created his stage name by taking his initials and adding "Smoove" from his time as a hip-hop dancer. He began his stand-up career in the mid-1990s at venues like the Uptown Comedy Club in Harlem, New York. Smoove landed his first major television exposure on Russell Simmons' Def Comedy Jam in 1995.
Television & Writing Career:
Smoove transitioned into television writing and performing, most notably on NBC's Saturday Night Live from 2003 to 2006, where he earned a Writers Guild of America Award. In 2007, he joined the cast of HBO's Curb Your Enthusiasm for its sixth season. The role of Leon Black transformed him into a celebrated comedic staple. His other major television credits include:
The Millers: Starred as Ray on the CBS sitcom (2013–2015).
Real Husbands of Hollywood: Portrayed a fictionalized version of himself on the hit BET parody (2013–2016).
Mapleworth Murders: Won an Emmy Award for his acting in this comedy short-form series (2020).
Film & Voice Acting:
Beyond stand-up and live-action television, Smoove has appeared in numerous blockbuster films and voiceover roles. He played Midtown School of Science and Technology teacher Julius Dell in the Marvel blockbusters Spider-Man: Far From Home (2019) and Spider-Man: No Way Home (2021). His voice can be heard in The Smurfs 2 (2013) and Nickelodeon's Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles series, in which he voiced Bebop.
Born Date: December 16, 1965
Born Place: Plymouth, North Carolina
Died Date:
Died Place:
Occupations: Actor, comedian, writer
Brief Biography: J. B. Smoove is recognized best known for his iconic, Emmy-winning career, including his breakout role as the unapologetic and charismatic Leon Black on HBO's Curb Your Enthusiasm, his writing/performing on Saturday Night Live, and roles in the Marvel Cinematic Universe.
Early Life & Stand-Up Origins:
Born in North Carolina, and raised in the projects of Mount Vernon, New York, Jerry Angelo Brooks created his stage name by taking his initials and adding "Smoove" from his time as a hip-hop dancer. He began his stand-up career in the mid-1990s at venues like the Uptown Comedy Club in Harlem, New York. Smoove landed his first major television exposure on Russell Simmons' Def Comedy Jam in 1995.
Television & Writing Career:
Smoove transitioned into television writing and performing, most notably on NBC's Saturday Night Live from 2003 to 2006, where he earned a Writers Guild of America Award. In 2007, he joined the cast of HBO's Curb Your Enthusiasm for its sixth season. The role of Leon Black transformed him into a celebrated comedic staple. His other major television credits include:
The Millers: Starred as Ray on the CBS sitcom (2013–2015).
Real Husbands of Hollywood: Portrayed a fictionalized version of himself on the hit BET parody (2013–2016).
Mapleworth Murders: Won an Emmy Award for his acting in this comedy short-form series (2020).
Film & Voice Acting:
Beyond stand-up and live-action television, Smoove has appeared in numerous blockbuster films and voiceover roles. He played Midtown School of Science and Technology teacher Julius Dell in the Marvel blockbusters Spider-Man: Far From Home (2019) and Spider-Man: No Way Home (2021). His voice can be heard in The Smurfs 2 (2013) and Nickelodeon's Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles series, in which he voiced Bebop.