Rickey Smiley is an entertainment mogul, stand-up comedian, television host, actor, and radio personality, originally distinguished by his hilarious history of providing some of the best prank calls in radio history.
In 2015, Smiley hit the world with Rickey Smiley For Real, a reality television series about his life. The show which airs on TV One, reached 8.2 million unique views and was No. 2 in its cable time slot among Black people ages 25-54. The show focuses on how Smiley balances the demands of a booming career and five kids who he has vowed to show more attention too.
The 47-year-old Smiley is an example of a grinder.
He is the host of The Rickey Smiley Morning Show based in Atlanta. Smiley has starred in his own sitcom, The Rickey Smiley Show, which aired on TV One and he’s also a featured contributor on the Fox-produced tabloid nationally-syndicated show Dish Nation.
In 2008, Smiley inked a deal with Radio One to take the show nationwide, and today The Rickey Smiley Morning Show blasts from mainstream urban radio stations as a flagship, nationally syndicated program. He and his radio crew, which includes Georgia rap icon Da Brat, have a lock on their targeted audience.
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Smiley’s also done film work. He had a feature role in Ice Cube’s Friday After Next and has appeared in other hood classics such as All About The Benjamins and First Sunday.
Smiley is a member of Omega Psi Phi Fraternity, Inc. and got his college education at Alabama State University, where he also developed a deep connection with the University of Alabamas sports programs. A bond that he expressed in a humorous bit entitled, Roll Tide” featuring his redneck character Buford.
The Shadow League spoke to Smiley on the eve of Season 2 which airs Tuesdays at 8pm ET.
