Franklyn Ajaye Jr., born on May 13, 1949, in Brooklyn, New York, was raised in Los Angeles by a Sierra Leonean father, Franklin Ajaye Sr., and an American mother, Quetta Curtis. This unique blend of cultures often leads him to humorously describe himself as a “true African-American.” Ajaye attended Dorsey High School in Crenshaw and has a brother
A Career in Comedy
Ajaye’s comedic career began with the release of five comedy albums: Franklyn Ajaye, Comedian (1973), I’m a Comedian, Seriously (1974), Don’t Smoke Dope, Fry Your Hair (1977), Plaid Pants and Psychopaths (1986), and Vagabond Jazz & the Abstract Truth (2004). The latter two were recorded in Sydney and Melbourne, Australia2.He made his network debut on The Flip Wilson Show in 1973 and appeared on The Tonight Show Starring Johnny Carson a year later. In 1997, Ajaye emigrated to Melbourne, Australia, but continues to return to the United States for television work. His last American TV appearance was on Paul Provenza’s The Greenroom on Showtime in 2011. In Australia, he is known for his appearances on The Panel and Thank God You’re Here, as well as his one-man shows at the Melbourne International Comedy Festival.
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Acting Career Highlights
Ajaye has had a prolific acting career, appearing in films such as Sweet Revenge (1976), Car Wash (1976), Convoy (1978), Stir Crazy (1980), and The ‘Burbs (1989). He also had notable roles in TV shows like Barney Miller and more recently in Deadwood as Samuel Fields. In 2011, he played Lillian’s father in the hit film Bridesmaids and appeared in the Australian sitcom Utopia in 20132.
Contributions to Television
Ajaye was nominated twice for Emmy Awards for Outstanding Writing in a Variety or Music Program for his work on In Living Color (1990) and Politically Incorrect (1997). He also contributed to the family comedy series The Parent ‘Hood, serving as an executive consultant and co-producer2.
Literary Contributions
Ajaye authored Comic Insights: The Art of Standup Comedy, which features interviews with renowned comedians like Jerry Seinfeld and Chris Rock, offering valuable advice for aspiring comedians2.Franklyn Ajaye’s journey from Brooklyn to becoming a celebrated comedian and actor is a testament to his dedication to his craft and his ability to bridge cultural divides through humor.