Alfonso Ribeiro

Early life

Ribeiro was born in New York City in the Riverdale section of the Bronx, to Trinidadian parents Michael and Joy Ribeiro (née De Leon). His mother was the daughter of Trinidadian Calypsonian the Roaring Lion, Rafael de Leon.

Early work

Ribeiro began his career at the age of eight. He first gained recognition in 1983, when he played a leading role in the Broadway musical The Tap Dance Kid. He received positive reviews for his performance, and was nominated for an Outer Critics Circle Award. Ribeiro appeared as a dancer in a Pepsi commercial that featured Michael Jackson in 1984. A rumor spread that Ribeiro had died from snapping his neck while dancing for the commercial. The same year, Ribeiro was cast as Rick Schroder's best friend on the TV series Silver Spoons.

In 1985, Alfonso appeared as himself in a commercial on MTV, advertising a dance instruction book he authored called Alfonso's Breakin' & Poppin' Book. In 1986, he released a 12" rap record called "Timebomb" on Prism Records.

The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air

Ribeiro's breakout role was as Carlton Banks on the NBC sitcom The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air from September 1990 to May 1996. He played the cousin to Will Smith's lead character. The Carlton character was known for frequently dancing to Tom Jones's "It's Not Unusual", a dance move that gained fame as "The Carlton".

Later work

Ribeiro competed as one of the celebrity singers on the reality television show Celebrity Duets in September 2006, winning over the runner up Lucy Lawless.

In July 2008, Ribeiro began hosting the game show Catch 21 on GSN. He also directed some episodes of Meet the Browns and a majority of the season two episodes of Are We There Yet? television series. In 2013, Ribeiro began hosting his second game show Spell-Mageddon on ABC Family.

On May 24, 2013, Ribeiro made a cameo appearance on The Graham Norton Show to perform "The Carlton Dance", with show guests Will and Jaden Smith. In November of that year, Ribeiro took part as a contestant in the thirteenth series of the British reality show, I'm a Celebrity...Get Me Out of Here. He was eliminated from the show on December 5, finishing in seventh place.

On September 4, 2014, Ribeiro was announced as one of the celebrities who would compete on season 19 of Dancing with the Stars. He partnered with professional dancer Witney Carson. He became the fourth celebrity dancer in the show's history, to receive a 9 from each judge in week one. On November 25, Ribeiro and Carson won the competition. In September 2015, he returned as a guest judge in week three of season 21, and he subbed for Tom Bergeron as host the following week.

On May 19, 2015, Ribeiro was named as Tom Bergeron's successor to host America's Funniest Home Videos. In July 8, 2015, Ribeiro made a cameo appearance in the music video for "All Night" by pop rock band, R5.

Personal life

Ribeiro married Robin Stapler on January 20, 2002. He and Stapler divorced in August 2006, filing papers in Los Angeles County Superior Court that cited irreconcilable differences. The couple share joint custody of their daughter, Sienna Ribeiro.

Ribeiro became engaged to writer Angela Unkrich in July 2012. They married on October 13, and reside in Los Angeles. In October 2013, his wife gave birth to their first son, Alfonso Lincoln Ribeiro, Jr., known as AJ. In April 2015, their second son, Anders Reyn Ribeiro, was born.

Dancing with the Stars performances

Ribeiro was partnered with Witney Carson for season 19. On November 25, 2014, Ribeiro and Carson were declared the season's champions.

¹ Score given by guest judge Kevin Hart in place of Goodman.

²The American public scored the dance in place of Goodman with the averaged score being counted alongside the three other judges.

³This week only, for "Partner Switch-Up" week, Ribeiro performed with Cheryl Burke instead of Carson.

⁴Score given by guest judge Jessie J in place of Goodman.

⁵Score given by guest judge Pitbull in place of Goodman.