Raised in New Orleans by his Baptist minister grandfather

Began singing at age five (date approximate)

Sang with the church choir

Entered a music competition with the National Association of Negro Musicians; while traveling with the group back to New Orleans, got off the bus in NYC; found housing at the Harlem YMCA; became involved in the Harlem YMCA Drama Club where Cicely Tyson, Clarence Williams III, Isabel Sanford, Godfrey Cambridge and Diana Sands were also participants

Became a soloist with Harry Belafonte; remained with the Harry Belafonte Singers for ten years

Stage debut, played Leroy in "The Bible Salesman" at the Broadway Congregational Church in NYC

Drafted into the US Army; served 18 months as an x-ray technician before securing a special leave (date approximate)

Reprised the role of Leroy in "The Bible Salesman" at the Martinique Theater in NYC

Played Peter in "Porgy and Bess" with the City Center Light Opera Company

Broadway debut, "I'm Solomon"

Played second barker in "Show Boat" at the Music Theater of Lincoln Center; later appeared in US touring company

Appeared in the City Center Light Opera Company production of "Finian's Rainbow"

Feature acting debut, "Where's Poppa?/Going Ape", directed by Carl Reiner

First produced play, "The Secret Place" at NYC's Playwrights Horizons

TV series debut, played a regular role on "Roll Out", a short-lived black military sitcom on CBS

First collaboration with director Michael Schultz, appeared in "Change at 125th Street", a busted CBS sitcom pilot

First substantial feature role, played Mr. Mason in the well-received Michael Schultz-directed comedy "Cooley High"

Auditioned with Lorne Michaels to become a writer for "Saturday Night Live"; hired as a performer on the strength of his performance in "Cooley High"

Gained fame as an ensemble member on the landmark late night comedy-variety series "Saturday Night live"

Played a supporting role in the Schultz-directed comedy feature "Car Wash"

First TV special appearance, "Things We Did Lasst Summer" with the other SNL regulars

Had second play produced, "Daddy Picou and Marie Le Veau"

Played the recurring role of Principal Dwight Ellis on the NBC youth sitcom "It's Your Move"

Joined the cast of the NBC cop drama "Hunter" in the supporting role of Sporty James

Appeared as Wiz, a regular on the Fox sitcom "Roc"

Appeared as a regular on the first two seasons of the Fox sitcom "Martin"; played radio station owner Stan Winters, Martin's boss

Suffered gunshot wound during robbery; bullet was lodged near his spine (February 24)

Appeared as himself on the premiere of The WB sitcom "The Wayans Brothers"; returned two months later playing Uncle Leon

Reprised the role of Stan Winters for a guest shot on "Martin"

Cast as a regular on The WB sitcom "Cleghorne!"; played the protagonist's overbearing postal worker father Sidney

Cast as Junior King, a regular on The WB sitcom "The Jamie Foxx Show"

Had pivotal role in the independent "Twin Falls Idaho", written by and starring the Polish brothers

Reteamed with the Polish brothers for "Jackpot", playing the road manager of a country singer