Phyllis Yvonne Stickney is a well-known American actress, comedian, poet, playwright, producer, and motivational speaker. She has appeared in numerous television shows and films, such as Die Hard with a Vengeance, New Jack City, Malcolm X, and How Stella Got Her Groove Back. She is also the founder and executive director of a non-profit organization called Alternative Careers in the Arts, which aims to provide opportunities and mentorship for aspiring artists of color. But how old is Phyllis Yvonne Stickney, and what is her background? In this article, we will explore the life and career of this versatile and talented artist.
Early Life and Education
Phyllis Yvonne Stickney was born on October 1, 1955, in Little Rock, Arkansas, according to IMDb. She is the second child of Felix and Belle Stickney, who were both educators and activists. She has a brother, Timothy Stickney, who is also an actor. She grew up in a family that valued education, culture, and social justice. She attended Little Rock Central High School, which was the site of a historic desegregation crisis in 1957. She graduated from there in 1973 and went on to study at Howard University in Washington, D.C., where she majored in theater arts and minored in journalism. She also studied at the American Academy of Dramatic Arts in New York City and the Royal Academy of Dramatic Art in London.
Career and Achievements
Phyllis Yvonne Stickney began her career as a stand-up comedian in the late 1970s and early 1980s. She performed at various venues, such as the Apollo Theater, the Comedy Store, and the Just for Laughs Festival in Montreal, Canada. She was one of the first comedians of color to perform at the latter, where she shared the stage with the late John Candy and Ed Begley Jr., according to her biography. She also appeared on several television shows, such as The Cosby Show, A Different World, and BET’s Comicview, where she was also a writer.
She made her film debut in 1978 in the independent film Killer of Sheep, directed by Charles Burnett. She later appeared in several films, such as The Color Purple, Die Hard with a Vengeance, New Jack City, Malcolm X, The Women of Brewster Place, and How Stella Got Her Groove Back. She played a variety of roles, from a lawyer to a goddess, and showcased her range and versatility as an actress. She also wrote, produced, and starred in her own film, Big Ain’t Bad, in 2002, which was a romantic comedy about a plus-sized woman who finds love.
She is also a poet, playwright, and author. She was the first female to perform with The Last Poets, a group of poets and musicians who are considered the forefathers of hip-hop, on the soundtrack of the film Panther in 1995. She has published several books of poetry, such as Butterbaby: Poems for the Soul and The Phyllis Yvonne Stickney Collection. She has also written and performed several one-woman shows, such as The Phyllis Yvonne Stickney Show, The Phyllis Yvonne Stickney Experience, and The Phyllis Yvonne Stickney Project.
She is also a motivational speaker and a fashion designer. She has created and designed a line of clothing for every woman called Butterbaby, which was launched in 2004. She has also founded and directed a non-profit organization called Alternative Careers in the Arts, which provides opportunities and mentorship for aspiring artists of color. She has received several awards and honors for her work, such as two AUDELCO Awards for Excellence in Black Theater, the Essence Award, and the NAACP Image Award.
Personal Life and Current Projects
Phyllis Yvonne Stickney was married to Rayford Galen Griffith, a musician and producer, from 1989 to 1993, according to Encyclopedia of Arkansas. She has no children of her own, but she is a godmother to several children. She is a devout Christian and a member of the Delta Sigma Theta sorority. She is also a vegan and an advocate for animal rights and environmental issues.
She is currently working on several projects, such as a film called Protector of the Gods, where she plays the goddess Hathor, and a TV series called The Ms. Pat Show, where she plays Aunt Gwen. She is also active on social media, where she posts updates on her work and life. She has over 10,000 followers on Instagram and over 5,000 followers on Twitter. She is also a frequent guest on various podcasts and radio shows, where she shares her insights and opinions on various topics.
Conclusion
Phyllis Yvonne Stickney is a versatile and talented artist who has made a mark in various fields, such as comedy, acting, writing, producing, and speaking. She is also a role model and a mentor for many aspiring artists of color. She is 68 years old as of 2023, but she shows no signs of slowing down. She continues to create and inspire with her work and her voice. She is a living legend and a force to be reckoned with.