One of the most versatile and unbridled performers in the world of comedy, Aries Spears has been killing it in front of audiences ever since he began performing at clubs at the age of 14. Born in Chicago and raised in New Jersey, Spears has proven himself again and again both onstage as a stand-up and sketch comedian and in his many appearances in TV and films.

Audiences know him best from his eight seasons on MAD TV. Joining for the TV comedy institution's third season in 1997, he became the series' second-longest serving cast member as well as one of its most consistently hilarious thanks to his many recurring characters and impressions of Michael Jackson, Kanye West, Eddie Murphy, Shaquille O'Neal and many more. In 2006, Damon Wayans picked Spears to be one of the cast members in his Showtime sketch comedy series The Underground. Spears' other TV and film appearances include Malcolm X, Jerry Maguire and CSI Miami.

His debut comedy album, Aries Spears: I Ain't Scared was released in 2005. In 2011, Showtime presented his stand-up special Aries Spears: Hollywood, Look I'm Smiling. He followed up with 2016's Aries Spears: Comedy Blueprint, another showcase of his fearless brand of no-holds-barred comedy.

Aries Spears Background

A natural cutup with family and friends growing up in Chicago and New Jersey, Aries Spears began performing his jokes and impressions in New York and New Jersey while still a teenager. The young comedian was soon making appearances on such TV shows as Def Comedy Jam and It's Showtime at the Apollo. After moving to Los Angeles, he continued to develop the acting career that began with a part in Spike Lee's Malcolm X in 1992. Meanwhile, he honed his stand-up skills at such legendary clubs as the Comedy Store, the Laugh Factory and the Improv.

In 1997, he became part of the cast for the Fox sketch comedy series MAD TV, where his original characters and impressions of such celebrities as Kanye West, Snoop Dogg and Eddie Murphy made him a fan favorite during his eight-season run. Spears' later film and TV credits include Damon Wayans' sketch series The Underground, Jiminy Glick in Lalawood and CSI Miami.

Spears displayed his onstage prowess as a stand-up on numerous national tours as well as the 2005 comedy album Aries Spears: I Ain't Scared and two TV specials: Aries Spears: Hollywood, Look I'm Smiling (2011) and Aries Spears: Comedy Blueprint (2016). In 2020, he was part of the ensemble of iconic comedians featured on Def Comedy Jam's Healing Through Laughter, a livestream benefit hosted by Cedric the Entertainer.