Daniele Gaither

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

Daniele Gaither
Birth name Daniele Gaither
Born September 6, 1972
St. Paul, Minnesota, United States
Notable roles Cast member in MADtv, Seasons 9-11

Daniele Gaither (born September 6, 1972) is an American comic actress. Gaither is most notable for her membership in the recurring cast of comedians on sketch comedy series MADtv.

Contents

[edit] Biography

Daniele Gaither was born on September 6, 1972 in St. Paul, Minnesota, USA. As a child, Gaither was always the class clown and she had a knack for story telling and a love for mimicking those around her. Like her fellow MADtv castmates, Nicole Sullivan and Josh Meyers, she attended Northwestern University at Evanston, Illinois. In 1993, she moved to Los Angeles to pursue an acting career, and attend the Groundlings School, where aspiring sketch and improv performers are given a systematic approach to learning improvisation and writing skills. Eventually, Gaither successfully became an alumnus of the comedy troupe, The Groundlings which also help launch the careers of her fellow cast mates, Phil LaMarr and Michael McDonald.

In her comedy, Gaither tries to "represent people that you see in the streets and know in everyday life," and sometimes uses her family experiences as material, which has gotten her into trouble in the past. She does impressions of people that she grew up admiring, like Patti Labelle, Marla Gibbs and Isabel Sanford, but also does impressions of current celebrities like Oprah Winfrey, Star Jones and Lil Kim. Daniele Gaither first regular television appearance was on Hype in 2000. After her first big break, she appeared on The Rerun Show. Gaither has a recurring role as Chandra the hairdresser on Comedy Central's Reno 911!.

[edit] MADtv

Gaither first appeared in an episode of MADtv's second season which feature rap star Ice T. The skit was concerned a mock debate between U.S. President Bill Clinton (played by Bryan Callen) and U.S. Senator Bob Dole (played by David Herman) who transformed himself into a "twisted" version of the 1970s blaxploitation icon Dolemite. Gaither played one of Dole's "Dolemite girls."

Daniele Gaither as rap star Eve
Enlarge
Daniele Gaither as rap star Eve

Gaither officially joined the cast of MADtv in 2003, seven years after her initial appearance on the series, as a feature performer, for the ninth season. She became the second African American female cast member in the show's history, when she replaced Debra Wilson. Gaither was later promoted to a repertory performer status the following season. Like Wilson, Gaither created memorable characters and offbeat impersonations of popular celebrities. Some of her characters were only seen one time on the discussion show Real Mother****ing Talk. Outside of that, some of her best characters included senior citizen Dilly Mae Jackson, Taco Hell boss Loretta, and Yvoone Criddle, an insane, yet unknowing, middle aged woman who always milks her excuses of why she attempts to kill people.

Gaither portrayed offbeat impersonations of celebrities, which included Fantana girl Capri, Condoleezza Rice, Eve, Fantasia Barrino, La La, Omarosa Manigault-Stallworth, and Tyra Banks.

Gaither departed from the MADtv in June 2006.

[edit] Characters

  • Dilly Mae Jackson (7 A.M. Condo Report)
  • Judge Reynolds
  • Loretta (Taco Hell)
  • Mrs. Conkling (Holly Meadow Estates)
  • Renee (QVC Quacker Factory)
  • Shatrice (The B.S.)
  • Yvoone Criddle

[edit] Impressions

[edit] Trivia

  • Gaither attended Northwestern University in Evanston, Illinois, which is the same university original MADtv cast member Nicole Sullivan attended.
  • While she studied at the Groundlings school, Gaither was trained by Michael McDonald, before his tenure on MADtv. She graduated the advanced level and is now a member of the Main Stage Cast and performs at the Thursday Night Improv Show at the Groundlings theatre on Melrose Avenue in Hollywood.
  • Gaither appeared on Hype! with fellow MADtv castmember Frank Caliendo and The Rerun Show with Paul Vogt.
  • Gaither is a lifelong vegetarian and animal lover, and was one of the 180 celebrities nominated for PETA’s 2004 "World’s Sexiest Vegetarians", which Alicia Silverstone won. She also recently co-hosted the "2003 Rotten Jellyfish awards" with fellow Groundling Jennifer Coolidge.
  • She is an avid fan of Prince and Michael Jackson.
  • Gaither appeared as an extra in the second season of MADtv (Episode #202) in a sketch entitled "Dolemite Debate."
  • Gaither has a strong interest in politics.
  • Gaither Daniele enjoys publicly televised Courtroom trials (like the O.J. Simpson trial).

[edit] Catch Phrases

  • "I’m in Jimmy Choo Boots M***** F*****!" - Eve (Hollywood Squares)
  • "I got Herpes.... The End" - Loretta (Taco Hell)
  • "Yes I did" - Yvonne Criddle (Stolen Parking Spot)

[edit] Television appearances

[edit] Filmography

  • Lincoln's Eyes (2005)
  • Caught (2002)

[edit] External links

Retrieved from "http://en.wikipedia.org../../../d/a/n/Daniele_Gaither_1d11.html"