Occupation Actor, comedian Books Comic insights Role Comedian | Name Franklyn Ajaye Years active 1973–present | |
 | ||
Nominations Primetime Emmy Award for Outstanding Writing - Variety Series Movies and TV shows Similar Bill Duke, Richard Pryor, Jeff Allen (comedian) | ||
Franklyn Ajaye - Actor
Franklyn Ajaye (born May 13, 1949) is an American stand-up comedian and actor. His nickname is "The Jazz Comedian" for his distinctive jazz inflected style of delivery, great timing, and astute use of silence. His name is sometimes wrongly spelled Franklin Ajaye.
Contents
- Franklyn Ajaye Actor
- Franklyn ajaye i m a comedian seriously soul train 1974
- Life and career
- Influence
- Filmography
- References
Franklyn ajaye i m a comedian seriously soul train 1974
Life and career
Ajaye was born in Brooklyn, New York but raised in Los Angeles by a Sierra Leonean father, after whom he is named, and an American mother (named Quetta), making Ajaye, as he likes to joke, a "true African-American". He has released five comedy albums to date: 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 last two were recorded in Sydney and Melbourne, Australia.
Ajaye made his network debut on The Flip Wilson Show in 1973 and made his first appearance on The Tonight Show Starring Johnny Carson a year later. Ajaye emigrated to Melbourne, Australia in 1997, but returns to the United States periodically to do work on television. His last American television appearance was on Paul Provenza's "The Greenroom" on Showtime in 2011. He is known in Australia for his appearances on The Panel and Thank God You're Here, and his popular one man shows "Nothing But The Truth", "Talkin' Vagabond Jazz", and "Vagabond jazz & The Abstract Truth" at the Melbourne International Comedy Festival.
He has worked as an actor, appearing in films such as Sweet Revenge (1976), Car Wash (1976), Convoy (1978), Stir Crazy (1980), the 1980 version of The Jazz Singer, Hysterical (1982), Get Crazy (1983), Fraternity Vacation (1985), Hollywood Shuffle (1987), The Wrong Guys (1988), The 'Burbs (1989), and American Yakuza (1993). In 2011, Ajaye had a small but memorable role, and line in the box office hit Bridesmaids, playing the father of Lillian (played by Maya Rudolph). He has been seen more recently in the TV show Deadwood and also appeared on an episode of "Barney Miller" as police car thief, Frasier Wilton in 1976. He has been nominated twice for Emmy Awards for Outstanding Writing in a Variety or Music Program for In Living Color (1990) and Politically Incorrect (1997).
He has worked with the hit family comedy series created and executive-produced by Robert Townsend "The Parent 'Hood" (January 1995-July 1999); some of his credits on the show include acting as "executive consultant" with Barry "Berry" Douglas in season 1 episode 9 ("Trial by Jerri") and episode 11 ("Nice Guys Finish Last") and as a co-producer with Douglas for season 2 episode 2 ("A Kiss is Just a Kiss").
Ajaye is the author of Comic Insights: The Art of Standup Comedy (ISBN 978-1-879505-54-4), which contains tips for aspiring comedians. His comedic influences include Richard Pryor, George Carlin, Robert Klein, Bill Cosby, and Nichols and May.
Influence
On his stand-up television show Stewart Lee's Comedy Vehicle the British comedian used Ajaye's LP I'm a Comedian, Seriously as the basis of a routine.
Filmography
Actor
2019
Deadwood: The Movie (TV Movie) as
Samuel Fields
2015
Too Hip for the Room as
Joe Papy
2015
Open Slather (TV Series) as
President of Nigeria
- Episode #1.2 (2015) - President of Nigeria
2014
Utopia (TV Series) as
Marvin Hudfield
- Then We Can Build It (2014) - Marvin Hudfield
2011
Bridesmaids as
Lillian's Dad
2005
Deadwood (TV Series) as
Samuel Fields
- Tell Him Something Pretty (2006) - Samuel Fields
- Amateur Night (2006) - Samuel Fields
- Leviathan Smiles (2006) - Samuel Fields
- Unauthorized Cinnamon (2006) - Samuel Fields
- A Rich Find (2006) - Samuel Fields
- A Two-Headed Beast (2006) - Samuel Fields
- Full Faith and Credit (2006) - Samuel Fields
- Advances, None Miraculous (2005) - Samuel Fields
- Amalgamation and Capital (2005) - Samuel Fields
- Something Very Expensive (2005) - Samuel Fields
- Complications (2005) - Samuel Fields
2003
Pirate Islands (TV Series) as
Five Spice
- Going Home (2003) - Five Spice
- Secret Island (2003) - Five Spice
- Defeating Quade (2003) - Five Spice
- Carmen's Betrayal (2003) - Five Spice
- Behind the Waterfall (2003) - Five Spice
- The Storm (2003) - Five Spice
- Sarah Kidnapped (2003) - Five Spice
- Kate vs Mars (2003) - Five Spice
- The White Room (2003) - Five Spice
- Mars Restored (2003) - Five Spice
- Training (2003) - Five Spice
- Kate Finds a Sword (2003) - Five Spice
- The Riddle (2003) - Five Spice
- The Showdown (2003) - Five Spice
- Ghost Attack (2003) - Five Spice
- Plantspeak (2003) - Five Spice
- Nightmare (2003) - Five Spice
- The Second Power-Up (2003) - Five Spice
- Perry the Kid (2003) - Five Spice
- Talking Plants (2003) - Five Spice
- Haunted Island (2003) - Five Spice
- The Great Escape (2003) - Five Spice
- Blackmail (2003) - Five Spice
- Close Call (2003) - Five Spice
- Sanctuary (2003) - Five Spice
- The Game (2003) - Five Spice
2002
Queen of the Damned as
French Dealer
2001
Brown Shoe Polish (Short) as
Viennese Cake Shop Owner
1997
Happily Ever After: Fairy Tales for Every Child (TV Series) as
Sporty the Cat
- Pinocchio (1997) - Sporty the Cat (voice)
1993
American Yakuza as
Sam
1992
Goof Troop (TV Series short)
- Cabana Fever (1992) - (voice, as Franklin Ajaye)
1992
The New WKRP in Cincinnati (TV Series) as
Reggie
- Spies Like Us (1992) - Reggie
1989
227 (TV Series) as
Painter
- Tenants, Anyone? (1989) - Painter
1989
The 'Burbs as
Detective
1988
The Wrong Guys as
Franklyn
1987
Glory Years (TV Movie) as
Wilson
1987
Hollywood Shuffle as
Body Guard #1
1985
Fraternity Vacation as
Harry
1984
Hot Flashes (TV Series) as
Walter Conkrite
- Episode #1.5 (1984) - Walter Conkrite
- Episode #1.4 (1984) - Walter Conkrite
- Episode #1.3 (1984) - Walter Conkrite
- Episode #1.2 (1984) - Walter Conkrite
- Episode #1.1 (1984) - Walter Conkrite
1983
Get Crazy as
Cool
1983
The New Odd Couple (TV Series) as
Henry
- The Night Stalker (1983) - Henry
1982
Hysterical as
Leroy
1980
The Jazz Singer as
Bubba
1980
Stir Crazy as
Young Man in Hospital
1980
The Cheap Detective (TV Movie) as
Elvis
1978
Chico and the Man (TV Series) as
Tony Rogers
- Della and Son (1978) - Tony Rogers
1978
Convoy as
Spider Mike
1978
The Bionic Woman (TV Series) as
Benny
- All for One (1978) - Benny
1976
Car Wash as
T.C.
1976
Sweet Revenge as
Edmund
1975
Barney Miller (TV Series) as
Wendell Frazier
- You Dirty Rat (1975) - Wendell Frazier
1969
Uncle Tom's Fairy Tales (Short)
Writer
1996
Politically Incorrect (TV Series) (writer - 6 episodes)
- Episode dated 30 May 1997 (1997) - (writer)
- Episode dated 29 April 1997 (1997) - (writer)
- Episode dated 16 April 1997 (1997) - (writer)
- Episode dated 20 March 1997 (1997) - (writer)
- Episode dated 11 February 1997 (1997) - (writer)
- Episode dated 23 October 1996 (1996) - (writer)
1996
C-Bear and Jamal (TV Series) (creator - 4 episodes)
- Sleepless in South Central (1996) - (creator)
- Teeing Off (1996) - (creator)
- Big (1996) - (creator)
- The Emperor's New Gear (1996) - (creator)
1995
The Parent 'Hood (TV Series) (written by - 4 episodes)
- Ode to Billy Shankbreath (1996) - (written by)
- One Man and a Baby (1996) - (written by)
- The Taxi Man (1995) - (written by)
- Robert in the Hood (1995) - (written by)
1995
NYPD Blue (TV Series) (written by - 1 episode)
- A Murder with Teeth in It (1995) - (written by)
1993
Townsend Television (TV Series) (writer - 10 episodes)
- Episode #1.10 (1993) - (writer)
- Episode #1.9 (1993) - (writer)
- Episode #1.8 (1993) - (writer)
- Episode #1.7 (1993) - (writer)
- Episode #1.6 (1993) - (writer)
- Episode #1.5 (1993) - (writer)
- Episode #1.4 (1993) - (writer)
- Episode #1.3 (1993) - (writer)
- Episode #1.2 (1993) - (writer)
- Episode #1.1 (1993) - (writer)
-
In Living Color (TV Series) (2 episodes, 1992 - 1993) (writer - 15 episodes, 1990 - 1992)
- Forever Silky (1993)
- Michael Bolton (1992) - (as Franklin Ajaye)
- Michael Jackson: Little Timmy's Not My Lover (1992) - (writer)
- Compilations (1991) - (writer)
- Homey D. Clown Returns (1990) - (writer)
- Conspiracy (1990) - (writer)
- Anton and the People's Court (1990) - (writer)
- Vera DeMilo (1990) - (writer)
- Introducing- Homey D. Clown (1990) - (writer)
- Endangered Species (1990) - (writer)
- Don King: The Early Years (1990) - (writer)
- Jheri's Kids (1990) - (writer)
- A Date with Grace Jones (1990) - (writer)
- Transitions (1990) - (writer)
- Lean on Me Beautiful (1990) - (writer)
- The Wrath of Farrakhan (1990) - (writer)
- Pilot (1990) - (writer)
1991
Roc (TV Series) (1 episode)
- How to Succeed at Garbage (1991)
1991
The Best of Robert Townsend & His Partners in Crime (TV Special documentary) (writer)
1990
Franklyn Ajaye: Upside Downunder (TV Movie) (written by)
1974
The Midnight Special (TV Series) (4 episodes)
- Episode #5.11 (1976)
- Episode #5.6 (1976)
- Guest Host: David Steinberg; All-Comedy Show with The Ace Trucking Company, Franklin Ajaye, Kentucky Fried Theater, Freddie Prinze, Monty Python's Flying Circus (1974)
- Guest Host: Helen Reddy; guests: Franklin Ajaye, The Impressions, Curtis Mayfield, Kenny Rankin, Rare Earth, Ike & Tina Turner (1974)
1975
Keep on Truckin' (TV Series) (writer - 4 episodes)
- Episode #1.4 (1975) - (writer)
- Episode #1.3 (1975) - (writer)
- Episode #1.2 (1975) - (writer)
- Episode #1.1 (1975) - (writer)
Producer
-
The Parent 'Hood (TV Series) (co-producer - 19 episodes, 1995 - 1996) (producer - 3 episodes, 1995 - 1996)
- Reconcilable Differences (1996) - (co-producer)
- Ode to Billy Shankbreath (1996) - (producer)
- I Never Danced for My Mother (1996) - (co-producer)
- We Don't Need Another Hero (1996) - (co-producer)
- An American Class President (1996) - (co-producer)
- Torn Between Two Brothers (1996) - (co-producer)
- I'm O'Tay, You're O-Tay (1996) - (co-producer)
- The Lost Weekend (1996) - (producer)
- Substitute's Pet (1996) - (co-producer)
- Little Bitty Pretty One (1996) - (co-producer)
- One Man and a Baby (1996) - (co-producer)
- The Man Who Canceled Christmas (1995) - (producer)
- Just Say Yes, No, or Maybe (1995) - (co-producer)
- Not with My Daughter (1995) - (co-producer)
- Welcome Back, Robert (1995) - (co-producer)
- Poppa Was a Rolling Stone (1995) - (co-producer)
- The Taxi Man (1995) - (co-producer)
- Wendell and Muriel's Wedding (1995) - (co-producer)
- Track Dreams (1995) - (co-producer)
- Don't Take My Wife, Please (1995) - (co-producer)
- A Kiss Is Just a Kiss (1995) - (co-producer)
- Robert in the Hood (1995) - (co-producer)
1990
Franklyn Ajaye: Upside Downunder (TV Movie) (executive producer)
Miscellaneous
1996
C-Bear and Jamal (TV Series) (creative concept - 4 episodes)
- Sleepless in South Central (1996) - (creative concept)
- Teeing Off (1996) - (creative concept)
- Big (1996) - (creative concept)
- The Emperor's New Gear (1996) - (creative concept)
1995
The Parent 'Hood (TV Series) (executive consultant - 12 episodes)
- Trust a Move (1995) - (executive consultant)
- The Bully Pulpit (1995) - (executive consultant)
- Nice Guys Finish Last (1995) - (executive consultant)
- Don't Be Alarmed (1995) - (executive consultant)
- Trial by Jerri (1995) - (executive consultant)
- Byte Me (1995) - (executive consultant)
- IQ, UQ, We All Q (1995) - (executive consultant)
- The Paw That Rocks the Cradle (1995) - (executive consultant)
- Like Father, Like Hell (1995) - (executive consultant)
- Crappy Anniversary (1995) - (executive consultant)
- Pizza Man (1995) - (executive consultant)
- Ring Around the Nosy (1995) - (executive consultant)
Self
2015
Unsung Hollywood (TV Series documentary) as
Self
- Car Wash (2015) - Self
2015
Total Agony (TV Series documentary) as
Self
- The Agony of Ageing (2015) - Self
- The Agony of Flirting (2015) - Self
- The Agony of the Body (2015) - Self
2011
The Green Room with Paul Provenza (TV Series) as
Self
- Episode #2.2 (2011) - Self
2010
I Am Comic (Documentary) as
Self
2009
The Wanda Sykes Show (TV Series) as
Self
- Episode #1.6 (2009) - Self
2009
Surviving the Holidays with Lewis Black (TV Movie) as
Self
2009
Thank God You're Here (TV Series) as
Self
- Episode #4.5 (2009) - Self
2009
Why We Laugh: Black Comedians on Black Comedy (Documentary) as
Self
2008
Before They Die! (Documentary)(voice)
2007
Totally Baked as
Self (uncredited)
2004
BET Comedy Awards (TV Special) as
Self
2004
The Late Late Show with Craig Kilborn (TV Series) as
Self
- Episode dated 22 September 2004 (2004) - Self
1998
The Panel (TV Series) as
Self
- Episode #4.6 (2001) - Self
- Episode #3.19 (2000) - Self
- Episode #2.31 (1999) - Self
- Episode #2.4 (1999) - Self
- Episode #1.11 (1998) - Self
1997
Breaking News (TV Series) as
Self
- The Code (1997) - Self
1995
HBO Comedy Showcase (TV Series) as
Self - Comedian (1995)
1994
Politically Incorrect (TV Series) as
Self
- Episode dated 3 November 1994 (1994) - Self
1994
The Tonight Show with Jay Leno (TV Series) as
Self
- Episode #3.121 (1994) - Self
1981
An Evening at the Improv (TV Series) as
Self
- Episode #15.2 (1994) - Self
- Episode #13.7 (1994) - Self
- Episode #11.10 (1992) - Self
- Episode #5.18 (1990) - Self
- Episode #3.13 (1988) - Self
- Episode #2.8 (1981) - Self
- Episode #1.1 (1981) - Self
1992
The A-List (TV Series) as
Self
- Episode #1.14 - Self
1991
The Sunday Comics (TV Series) as
Self - Performer - Stand Up
- Episode #1.1 (1991) - Self - Performer - Stand Up
1991
The Best of Robert Townsend & His Partners in Crime (TV Special documentary) as
Self / Various Characters
1990
Franklyn Ajaye: Upside Downunder (TV Movie) as
Self
1974
The Tonight Show Starring Johnny Carson (TV Series) as
Self - Guest / Self / Self - Guest Comic
- Catherine Hicks/Franklyn Ajaye/Papa John Venturello (1988) - Self - Guest Comic
- Joan Embery/Franklyn Ajaye/Ken Wahl (1984) - Self - Guest
- Tom Hanks/Lynn Redgrave/Franklyn Ajaye (1982) - Self - Guest Comic
- Dudley Moore/Laurene Landon (1981) - Self - Guest
1990
Just for Laughs (TV Series) as
Self
- Great Scots (1990) - Self
1988
The 2nd Annual American Comedy Awards (TV Special) as
Self - Audience Member
1982
Late Night with David Letterman (TV Series) as
Self
- Episode dated 8 December 1987 (1987) - Self
- Episode dated 2 April 1984 (1984) - Self
- Episode #1.9 (1982) - Self
1980
The John Davidson Show (TV Series) as
Self
- Episode dated 18 December 1980 (1980) - Self
- Episode dated 27 August 1980 (1980) - Self
1980
The Alan Thicke Show (TV Series) as
Self
- Episode #1.54 (1980) - Self
- Episode #1.47 (1980) - Self
1974
The Mike Douglas Show (TV Series) as
Self - Comedian / Self
- Episode #20.16 (1980) - Self
- Episode #19.99 (1980) - Self - Comedian
- Episode #13.112 (1974) - Self - Comedian
1979
The Comedy Shop (TV Series) as
Self
- Episode #2.1 (1979) - Self
1977
Saturday Night Live (TV Series) as
Self
- Ray Charles (1977) - Self
1977
Hurray for Hollywood (TV Series documentary) as
Self
- Black Cinema (1977) - Self
1974
Soul Train (TV Series) as
Self / Guest
- Rufus Featuring Chaka Khan/The Impressions (1977) - Self
- Billy Preston/Rufus/George McCrae/Franklin Ajaye (1974) - Guest
1975
Sammy and Company (TV Series) as
Self
- Billy Dee Williams, Marilyn Michaels, Carmen McRae, Franklyn Ajaye and Shields and Yarnell (1977) - Self
- Joan Rivers, Florence Henderson, Scatman Crothers, and Franklyn Ajaye (1975) - Self
1974
The Midnight Special (TV Series) as
Self
- Episode #5.11 (1976) - Self
- Episode #5.6 (1976) - Self
- Episode dated 12 July 1975 (1975) - Self
- Guest Host: David Steinberg; All-Comedy Show with The Ace Trucking Company, Franklin Ajaye, Kentucky Fried Theater, Freddie Prinze, Monty Python's Flying Circus (1974) - Self
- Guest Host: Helen Reddy; guests: Franklin Ajaye, The Impressions, Curtis Mayfield, Kenny Rankin, Rare Earth, Ike & Tina Turner (1974) - Self
1976
Rock Concert (TV Series) as
Self
- Episode #4.5 (1976) - Self
- Episode #3.5 (1976) - Self
1974
Dinah! (TV Series) as
Self
- Episode #2.200 (1976) - Self
- Episode #1.107 (1975) - Self
- Episode #1.32 (1974) - Self
- Episode #1.15 (1974) - Self
1975
Keep on Truckin' (TV Series) as
Self / Various
- Episode #1.4 (1975) - Self / Various
- Episode #1.3 (1975) - Self / Various
- Episode #1.2 (1975) - Self / Various
- Episode #1.1 (1975) - Self / Various
1974
Cotton Club '75 (TV Special) as
Self
1973
Flip (TV Series) as
Self
- Episode #4.12 (1973) - Self
References
Franklyn Ajaye Wikipedia(Text) CC BY-SA