Rickey Smiley

Born Broderick Dornell “Rickey” Smiley on August 10, 1968, in Birmingham, Alabama, Rickey Smiley has established a multifaceted career in entertainment. He earned a Bachelor of Arts degree from Alabama State University. Smiley’s career began to gain traction with appearances on prominent comedy shows such as BET’s “ComicView” in 2000, where he served as host, and HBO’s “Def Comedy Jam.” His stand-up routines are recognized for integrating role-play of original characters like “Bernice Jenkins” and “Lil’ Daryl,” which later became central to his popular prank phone calls.

A significant turning point in Smiley’s career came in April 2004 when he became the morning show personality for radio station KBFB in Dallas. This led to “The Rickey Smiley Morning Show,” which expanded nationally in 2008 through a deal with Syndication One, a division of Radio One. The show, known for its prank calls, news, and hip-hop music, subsequently merged with Reach Media in 2013, solidifying its national reach. Beyond radio, Smiley has extended his brand into television with a starring role in “The Rickey Smiley Show” on TV One, and as a featured columnist on the Fox-produced nationally syndicated TV show “Dish Nation.”

Smiley’s career progression also includes film roles in “Friday After Next” (2002) and “All About the Benjamins” (2002), and a reality television series, “Rickey Smiley For Real,” which debuted in 2015, offering a look into his personal life. He has released several albums featuring his prank calls, and authored the book “Stand by Your Truth: And Then Run for Your Life” in 2017. His work and persona have made him a recognizable figure in both comedy and radio, maintaining a consistent presence across various media platforms.