Orlando Jones

Orlando Jones was born on April 10, 1968, in Mobile, Alabama. His early life included relocating to Mauldin, South Carolina, where he graduated from Mauldin High School in 1985. He then attended the College of Charleston, leaving in 1990 to pursue a career in entertainment. Early in his career, he co-founded Homeboy’s Productions and Advertising, a production company that worked on projects such as a McDonald’s commercial featuring Michael Jordan. His first Hollywood writing role was for the NBC comedy series “A Different World” in 1987, where he also had a small guest role. He further contributed his writing talents to the Fox series “Roc” from 1991 to 1992 and co-produced “The Sinbad Show” in 1993.

Jones rose to national prominence as one of the original cast members of the sketch comedy series “MADtv,” which he joined in 1995. During his two seasons on the show, he developed notable characters and impressions before leaving in 1997 to focus on his film career. A significant turning point in his career was becoming the spokesperson for 7 Up from 1999 to 2002, starring in their “Make 7 Up Yours” advertising campaign. This exposure greatly expanded his opportunities in film and television, leading to roles in movies such as “Evolution” (2001), “The Time Machine” (2002), and “Drumline” (2002). His television work continued with his own late-night talk show, “The Orlando Jones Show,” in 2003, and later main roles in series like “The Evidence” (2006) and “Sleepy Hollow” (2013-2015).

From 2016 to 2019, Jones received critical acclaim for his portrayal of Mr. Nancy (Anansi) in the Starz series “American Gods.” His extensive filmography also includes “The Replacements” (2000), where he played Clifford Franklin, and a recent role in “Til Death Do Us Part” (2023). Beyond acting, Jones has engaged in voice acting for video games like “Halo 2” (2004) and animated series such as “The Adventures of Chico and Guapo” (2006). He has also explored entrepreneurial ventures, including launching a record label and a digital production company, demonstrating a commitment to various facets of the entertainment industry.