Jay Pharoah is a stand-up comedian and actor who first gained national prominence as a cast member on NBC's sketch comedy series "Saturday Night Live" from 2010 to 2016. His adept performance on the show, characterized by a range of celebrity impressions, notably of Barack Obama, Will Smith, Jay-Z, and Denzel Washington, earned him the 55th spot on Rolling Stone's ranking of the greatest "Saturday Night Live" members in 2015. Pharoah's filmography also includes roles in movies like "Lola Versus," "Ride Along," and "Sing."

In addition to his work in film, Pharoah has made appearances on popular television shows, including "Portlandia," "BoJack Horseman," and "Family Guy." He has lent his voice to characters in animated series such as "American Dad!" and "Bubble Guppies," and voiced several characters in the upcoming second season of "Invincible" in 2023. Pharoah's versatility extends beyond acting; he has demonstrated his hosting prowess, presiding over the American Music Awards and Nickelodeon's Unfiltered. He is also set to host a new show, "The Quiz with Balls," starting in 2024.

Outside his entertainment career, Pharoah is known for his activism. In 2020, he released footage of an incident in which he was detained at gunpoint by the Los Angeles Police Department, drawing attention to issues of police misconduct. He has also ventured into music, working on his first album with record producer Myles William and releasing a mixtape in 2016.

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