Jay Pharoah

Jared Antonio Farrow, better known by the stage name Jay Pharoah, is an American stand-up comedian and actor with a prolific career. He was born on October 14, 1987, and raised in Chesapeake, Virginia, where he began performing impersonations at an early age of six, his first voice being Gilbert Gottfried's character Iago in Aladdin. Pharoah nurtured his talent in school and college, and kickstarted his professional career in stand-up comedy in community theaters and at comedy clubs in Virginia when he was 15 years old. Pharoah's talent for celebrity impressions, which includes huge names such as Barack Obama, Will Smith, and Jay-Z, among several others, gained him significant recognition and he became an internet phenomenon with his impersonation of Barack Obama.

In 2010, Jay Pharoah joined the NBC sketch comedy series Saturday Night Live (SNL) and was a part of the show until 2016. His impeccable impressionist skills were showcased in several episodes, making him a 'breakout player' of the show. He also diversified into films, appearing in titles such as 'Lola Versus' and 'Ride Along'. After his departure from SNL, Pharoah continues to evolve in his career. He was detained by the Los Angeles Police Department in April 2020 amidst racial unrest in the country, an incident that was resolved when the officers googled his name and recognized him.