TIFFANY HADDISH

Early Life and Background

Tiffany Sara Cornilia Haddish was born on December 3, 1979, in South Central Los Angeles, California. Her father, Tsihaye Reda Haddish, was an Eritrean Jew who left the family when Tiffany was three years old. Her mother, Leola, an African-American small business owner, suffered severe brain damage in a car accident when Tiffany was nine, leading to schizophrenia. This resulted in Tiffany and her siblings entering the foster care system at age 13. At 15, they were reunited under their grandmother's care. Tiffany found solace in comedy, attending the Laugh Factory Comedy Camp, where she was mentored by Richard Pryor. 

Career Beginnings

Haddish's early career involved various stand-up performances and minor television roles. She gained recognition with her role as Nekeisha Williams on NBC's "The Carmichael Show" (2015–2017). Her breakthrough came with the 2017 film "Girls Trip," where her portrayal of Dina received critical acclaim and catapulted her to fame. 

Film and Television Success

Following "Girls Trip," Haddish starred in several films, including "Night School" (2018), "Nobody's Fool" (2018), and "Like a Boss" (2020). She also voiced characters in animated films like "The Secret Life of Pets 2" (2019) and "The Lego Movie 2: The Second Part" (2019). On television, she starred in TBS's "The Last O.G." (2018–2020) and voiced Tuca in the animated series "Tuca & Bertie" (2019–2022). 

Awards and Recognition

In 2017, Haddish became the first African-American female stand-up comedian to host "Saturday Night Live," earning her a Primetime Emmy Award for Outstanding Guest Actress in a Comedy Series. Her 2019 Netflix special, "Black Mitzvah," won the Grammy Award for Best Comedy Album, making her the second African-American woman to win this award after Whoopi Goldberg in 1986. 

Personal Life and Philanthropy

Haddish has been open about her experiences in foster care, which inspired her to launch the She Ready Foundation. The foundation provides resources and support to foster youth, including paid internships in media and entertainment. 

Literary Work

In 2017, Haddish published her memoir, "The Last Black Unicorn," which became a New York Times bestseller. The book details her challenging upbringing, career struggles, and rise to fame, showcasing her resilience and humor. 

Tiffany Haddish's journey from a tumultuous childhood to becoming a celebrated comedian and actress is a testament to her perseverance, talent, and dedication to uplifting others through her work and philanthropy.