Chris Tucker

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

Chris Tucker

Birth name Christopher Tucker
Born August 31, 1972 (age 34)
Atlanta, Georgia
Official site www.christucker.com
Notable roles James Carter in
Rush Hour series,
Smokey in
Friday,
Ruby Rhod in
The Fifth Element Frank Jackson in The Departed Chord Fadle in SAW II and SAW III Derek Wetner in 007 GoldenEye

Christopher Tucker (born August 31, 1972 in Atlanta, Georgia) is an American actor and comedian, whose distinctive characteristic is his high-pitched voice and portrayal of high-strung characters.

Contents

[edit] Acting career

Tucker was born in Atlanta, Georgia but was raised in Decatur, Georgia. After high school he then moved to Los Angeles, California to pursue a career in comedy.

Tucker's first major movie role was alongside rapper Ice Cube in the 1995 cult favorite Friday. He also starred with Charlie Sheen in 1997 movie Money Talks and alongside Bruce Willis inThe Fifth Element in the same year. He later starred in the 1998 martial arts action comedy Rush Hour and its sequel, Rush Hour 2, in which he played James Carter, an abrasive, wise-cracking detective. Realizing the success of the first Rush Hour film, Tucker held out from studio bosses until they paid his price tag of $20 million for Rush Hour 2, which also became an enormous success. Co-star Jackie Chan received $15 million and gross points.

In 2005, Tucker participated in African American Lives, a PBS program hosted by Henry Louis Gates, Jr. where his roots were traced back to the Mbundu tribe living in Angola. Tucker would also travel to Angola, the birthplace of his ancestors with Gates. [1]

Currently, Tucker continues to perform stand-up comedy.

[edit] Recent developments

Tucker's last two films were Rush Hour and its sequel, and his next film appearance will be the third film in the hit franchise, which is scheduled for release in 2007. Despite a flurry at the start of his career, he has only made two film appearances over the past nine years, both as Detective James Carter. Tucker's career trajectory was unusual in that, while he has made such a relatively small number of films, he has already become a member of the unofficial "20 million per film" club, joining such actors as Will Smith, Tom Cruise and Brad Pitt. Tucker will receive $25 million to star in Rush Hour 3, which began filming on August 23, 2006.

Apart from his stand-up performances he appears occasionally at charity concerts and functions and is dedicated to helping bring attention to African poverty and hunger issues in the U.S.

Chris was "in talks" for the lead in a Hollywood adaptation of the Hindi film, Munna Bhai M.B.B.S. tentatively titled Gangsta M.D. This film is part of the Munna Bhai series of films. It will be directed by Mira Nair.

He also danced at the Jackson 5 reunion with Michael Jackson, humorously imitating Jackson's moves incorrectly. [2]

In early April 2007, rumors began circulating via the internet and radio that Tucker may return for the 4th installment of the "Friday" films, which launched him to stardom, in his role of "Smokey". The deal is rumored to hinge on the payment Tucker would receive. Whether or not Tucker will actually reprise this role remains to be seen as no official word has been announced by the films producers.

[edit] Personal life

On April 19, 2005, Tucker was arrested by Georgia State Troopers in McDuffie County for reckless driving and fleeing to elude after he did not pull over immediately. Sheriffs claimed he was driving 109 mph in his 2005 Bentley Continental GT. [3] Tucker claimed he was in a hurry because he was late for church.

On May 25, 2005, he testified in defense of Michael Jackson during Jackson's trial on charges of child molestation. Chris Tucker also appeared at Live 8 to introduce Destiny's Child in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania.

[edit] Trivia

  • Tucker is a major fan and good friend of Michael Jackson, which can be seen in many of his films.
  • Tucker appeared in Michael Jackson's video "You Rock My World" (2001).
  • Tucker is an Atlanta Braves fan.
  • Tucker played a small role as the yes-man for an evil tribal chief (played by George Clinton) in 2Pac's music video for "California Love" in 1996.
  • Tucker appeared briefly as Mariah Carey's passenger in the video for her 2005 hit "Shake It Off".
  • Tucker participated in the McDonald’s NBA All-Star Celebrity Game (2007)
  • Tucker appeared in a Family Guy episode.[citation needed]

[edit] Filmography

Wikiquote has a collection of quotations related to:

[edit] Television

[edit] External links

Retrieved from "http://en.wikipedia.org../../../c/h/r/Chris_Tucker_699d.html"