Orlando Jones is an American comedian and film and television actor. He is notable for being one of the original cast members of the sketch comedy series MADtv and for his role as the 7 Up spokesman from 1999 to 2002
Background
Jones was born in Mobile, Alabama on April 10, 1968. His father was a former professional baseball player for the Philadelphia Phillies. He moved to Mauldin, South Carolina, when he was a teen and graduated from Mauldin High School in 1985. One of his early acting experiences involved playing a werewolf in a haunted house to help raise money for the junior/senior prom. Jones enrolled in the College of Charleston, South Carolina. He left in 1990 without finishing his degree.
To pursue his interest in the entertainment industry, Jones, together with comedian Michael Fechter, formed a production company, Homeboy's Productions and Advertising. Together Jones and Fechter worked on several projects including a McDonald's commercial with basketball superstar Michael Jordan for the McDonald's specialty sandwich the "McJordan".
Education
He moved to Mauldin, South Carolina, when he was a teen and graduated from Mauldin High School in 1985. One of his early acting experiences involved playing a werewolf in a haunted house to help raise money for the junior/senior prom. Jones enrolled in the College of Charleston, South Carolina. He left in 1990 without finishing his degree.
Career
Orlando Jones began his Hollywood career at 19 writing on NBC’s A Different World, Fox’s Martin starring Martin Lawrence and writing/producing Fox’s Roc Live starring Charles Dutton. Orlando later combined his writing and acting talents when he was handpicked by Quincy Jones to join Fox’s 14 year long sketch comedy franchise MADtv.
Oscar winning director Barry Levinson cast Orlando in his first feature film Liberty Heights. Orlando has continued working with visionary film directors including Paul Weitz, (Cirque Du Freak: The Vampire’s Assistant), Peter Hyams (Beyond A Reasonable Doubt), Ivan Reitman (Evolution), Mike Judge (Office Space), Gary Fleder, (Runaway Jury) Harold Ramis (Bedazzled) and Oscar winner Paul Thomas Anderson (Magnolia).
Orlando is easily one of the world’s most gifted actors. In his Hollywood career audiences have seen him move from drama to comedy, from behind the camera to lead roles with startling dexterity. Despite his ability to transform into the characters he portrays, he still maintains his own unique and vibrant personality.
From his portrayal of Clifford Franklin in the classic football film The Replacements to the hugely successful Drumline to singing and dancing in the broadway revival of The Wiz, Orlando Jones continues to thrill and entertain audiences.
In 2011 Orlando reunited with director Gary Fleder to star in ABC’s action crime drama Identity, produced by Grey’s Anatomy & Criminal Minds producers Mark Gordon and Deb Spera. Identity was written by Eagle Eye scribe John Glenn.
Orlando also wrote produced and stars in the graphic novel action comedy, Tainted Love which was released by Machinima in 2013.
Currently, Orlando is playing Det. Frank Irving on the hit Fox series, Sleepy Hollow.
Politics
"My comments reflect no political affiliation. It's just me being me, in a world that will never comfortably mix political correctness with artistic expression. "
Views
Quotations:
"I want to see as many black professionals as possible."
"Someone I met years ago explained to me the difference between a personality and an actor, a personality being Eddie Murphy or Roseanne Barr, and an actor being Morgan Freeman and Alfre Woodard or Marlon Brando."
"Most of my friends between 21 and 31 are at different stages of figuring out what the hell they are going to do with their lives. It's a big part of our generation. What is the next step?"
Connections
Jones married former model Jacqueline Staph in 2008. They have a daughter.
a father:
Father
His father former professional baseball player for the Philadelphia Phillies.
