T.K. Kirkland

T.K. Kirkland is married to Tamara Kirkland, and they have four children, Jordan, Trinity, Isis and Aris. His parents are James and Ann Kirkland.

He was born in Jersey City, New Jersey, and spent his adolescent years in Compton, California, with his younger brother.

Kirkland began performing comedy in Los Angeles clubs while he was in college. His early entertainment work included touring with the rap group N.W.A. in the 1980s and collaborating with Easy-E and N.W.A. He later shared stages with Jay-Z, Eminem, Madonna, 50 Cent, Keyshia Cole, Lil Wayne and Kid Rock.

His screen credits include New Jersey Drive (1995), Strays (1997), Rising to the Top (1999), Baller Blockin' (2000), Tara (2001), The Champagne Gang (2006), Birds of a Feather (2012) and Good Brutha Bad Brutha (2013). He was also featured in the 2011 documentary Phunny Business: A Black Comedy and appeared on Laffapalooza and BET's Comicview.

In 1991, Kirkland collaborated with HBO on the comedy special Mo' Funny: A History of Black Comedy in America. Reviews of the special compared him with comedians Richard Pryor, Redd Foxx and Moms Mabley.

He presented the 1993 Soul Train Comedy Awards and later expanded his work into writing and producing. His credits include writing for Laffapalooza and BET's Comicview, executive producing Are There Any Questions?, and co-directing T.K. Kirkland: Who Raised You?.

Kirkland started a management company that represented entertainers including Jamie Foxx, D.L. Hughley and Michael Epps. He later joined Tommy Castro and David Clingman in founding Artistry Management Firm, which worked across performing arts, new media, film, television, radio and video.

He has appeared on The Breakfast Club, Brilliant Idiots, VLAD TV and Drink Champs. He also hosts The T.K. Kirkland Show.