Tiffany Haddish
Born 1979 · Age 47
American stand-up comedian, actress, author and activist best known for her breakout role in Girls Trip (2017), Emmy- and Grammy-winning performer and advocate for foster youth.
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Life & Career Timeline
Born in Los Angeles, California
Tiffany Sara Cornilia Haddish was born in South Central Los Angeles.
Father left the household
Her father, Tsihaye Reda Haddish (an Eritrean Jew), left when she was three years old.
Mother's car accident and brain injury
While living in Colton, California, Haddish's mother suffered severe brain damage in a car accident that led to behavioral changes and impacted family care dynamics.
Allegation of attempted tampering with brakes
Haddish later reported that her stepfather told her he had tampered with the brakes on her mother's car intending the wreck to be fatal; the children were not in the car that day.
Placed into foster care
At 13, Haddish and her siblings were placed into foster care and temporarily separated; she turned to comedy to cope.
Hospitalized with toxic shock syndrome (approx.)
The biographical sources note she was hospitalized with toxic shock syndrome at one point early in life (no exact year given). This entry is an approximate placement in her adolescence.
Reunited with siblings under grandmother's care
By age 15 she and her siblings were reunited and raised by their grandmother.
Attended Laugh Factory Comedy Camp
After a social worker gave her the choice between therapy or the Laugh Factory Comedy Camp, 17‑year‑old Haddish chose the comedy camp, which she credits with saving her life and launching her interest in stand-up.
Accepted to New York University (did not attend)
Haddish was accepted to New York University but did not enroll due to tuition costs and aversion to debt; she later attended Santa Monica College.
Early customer-service jobs at airlines
Prior to onscreen success Haddish worked customer service roles for Air New Zealand at LAX and for Alaska Airlines.
Period of homelessness; living in her car
Haddish lived in her car through parts of her twenties while pursuing comedy—she has described parking in Beverly Hills and sleeping in her vehicle while working shows.
First national break on Who's Got Jokes?
Haddish's first break came as a contestant on Bill Bellamy's Who's Got Jokes?, which helped raise her profile.
Appeared on Def Comedy Jam and Reality Bites Back
Two years after Who's Got Jokes? she appeared on Def Comedy Jam and the spoof Reality Bites Back, furthering her visibility.
Film role in Meet the Spartans
Appeared in the feature comedy Meet the Spartans (credited among her early film work).
Married William Stewart
Married William Stewart in 2008; Stewart later helped locate her estranged father. Haddish later filed for divorce in 2011; divorce finalized 2013.
Appeared in The Janky Promoters
Had a role in the comedy The Janky Promoters, an early film credit.
Filed for divorce from William Stewart
Filed for divorce in Los Angeles County in 2011; divorce was finalized in 2013.
Recurring role on Real Husbands of Hollywood
Began a recurring role on Kevin Hart's spoof series Real Husbands of Hollywood, increasing TV exposure.
Divorce from William Stewart finalized
Divorce from William Stewart finalized in 2013.
Cast in Tyler Perry's If Loving You Is Wrong
Had a lead role on the OWN drama If Loving You Is Wrong before leaving after season one to pursue other projects.
Joined The Carmichael Show as a series regular
Cast as Nekeisha on NBC's The Carmichael Show (2015–2017), which raised her national TV profile.
Co-starred in Keanu
Co-starred in the comedy Keanu (role: Hi C) opposite Key & Peele, a notable film credit before her big breakout.
Co-hosted BET game show Face Value
Co-hosted the BET game show Face Value with Deon Cole (credited during her breakout year).
Revealed brief dabble in Scientology
In 2017 Haddish revealed she had briefly dabbled in Scientology earlier in life.
Breakout role in Girls Trip (wide release)
Starred as Dina in Girls Trip. The film grossed over $140 million worldwide on a $20 million production budget and became the highest-grossing comedy of 2017; Haddish received widespread critical acclaim.
Stand-up special 'She Ready! From the Hood to Hollywood' premiered
Tiffany Haddish's stand-up special premiered on Showtime in August 2017, showcasing her personal storytelling and comedic voice.
Hosted Saturday Night Live (SNL)
Hosted the November 11, 2017 episode of SNL — the first African-American female stand-up comedian to host the show — a high-profile television milestone.
Published memoir 'The Last Black Unicorn'
Her memoir (co-written with Tucker Max) was published by Simon & Schuster and debuted at #15 on The New York Times best-seller list.
Signed a first-look deal with HBO
Signed an exclusive first‑look development deal with HBO, expanding her opportunities as a creator and producer.
Won Primetime Emmy Award for Outstanding Guest Actress (SNL)
Won the Primetime Emmy for Outstanding Guest Actress in a Comedy Series for hosting SNL (award given in 2018 for the 2017 performance).
Named to Time magazine's 100 Most Influential People
Included on Time's list of the world's 100 most influential people (2018), reflecting her cultural impact after Girls Trip.
Listed in The Hollywood Reporter's 100 Most Powerful People in Entertainment (2018)
Named by The Hollywood Reporter among the 100 most powerful people in entertainment in 2018 (and again in 2019).
Starred in TBS sitcom 'The Last O.G.'
Began starring opposite Tracy Morgan in The Last O.G., her first lead role in a sitcom (2018–2020).
Film roles in Night School, Uncle Drew and Nobody's Fool
Appeared in multiple 2018 films including Night School (lead opposite Kevin Hart), Uncle Drew (supporting) and Tyler Perry's Nobody's Fool; Nobody's Fool grossed over $33M worldwide.
Founded/operationalized She Ready Foundation & Suitcase Drive (foster-youth advocacy)
Partnered with nonprofit Living Advantage, Inc. for the Suitcase Drive for Foster Youth and established She Ready Foundation activity supporting foster care programs.
Hosted MTV Movie & TV Awards
Hosted the MTV Movie & TV Awards in June 2018 (biographical sources note this hosting role during her rise).
Voiced characters in major animated features (2019)
Voiced Queen Watevra Wa'Nabi in The Lego Movie 2 and Daisy in The Secret Life of Pets 2, expanding her voice‑acting credits.
Premiered as Tuca on Tuca & Bertie (Netflix/Adult Swim)
Voiced and executive produced the animated sitcom Tuca & Bertie, which premiered in May 2019; Haddish voiced Tuca and served as executive producer (series originally 2019–2022 with later developments).
Became a naturalized citizen of Eritrea
During a visit to bury her father and connect with family, Haddish was granted Eritrean citizenship on May 22, 2019.
Netflix series 'Tiffany Haddish Presents: They Ready' premiered
A Netflix series in which Haddish introduced and showcased several up‑and‑coming comedians to wider audiences.
Hosted and produced ABC revival 'Kids Say the Darndest Things'
ABC revived Kids Say the Darndest Things with Haddish as host and producer; the series premiered October 6, 2019.
Released 'Black Mitzvah' special (stand-up) and album
Performed the special Black Mitzvah (special/adaptations released in 2019) and released the comedy album 'Black Mitzvah' in 2019—material tied to her exploration of Judaism.
Starred in Like a Boss
Appeared in the studio comedy Like a Boss (Paramount Pictures) co‑starring Rose Byrne and Salma Hayek (released early 2020).
Began relationship with Common (mid-2020)
Entered a relationship with rapper/actor Common in mid-2020; the relationship ended in November 2021.
Turned down hosting Grammy pre-telecast over cost demands
Was asked to host the 2021 Grammys pre-telecast but declined when the Recording Academy required she pay for hair, makeup and wardrobe for the long event.
Won Grammy Award for Best Comedy Album (Black Mitzvah)
Won the 2021 Grammy Award for Best Comedy Album for Black Mitzvah; the news was broken to her during filming of Kids Say the Darndest Things.
Voiced Lady K in Karma's World (2021–2022)
Provided the voice of Lady K, head of a recording studio, on the animated series Karma's World (Netflix).
Film appearance in Here Today
Co-starred in Billy Crystal's Here Today (2021) playing a singer who befriends a comedy writer with early stage dementia.
Grammy nomination for The Last Black Unicorn (spoken word) (nomination)
Her memoir The Last Black Unicorn was nominated (as spoken word) for a Grammy (nomination reported in 2019 sources and shown in award listings); included here to reflect awards activity around that period.
Split from Common
Relationship with Common ended in November 2021, reportedly due to both being 'too busy for a serious relationship.'
Arrested for DUI in Peachtree City, Georgia
Arrested on January 14, 2022 on a charge of DUI after being found asleep behind the wheel; she was booked and released on a $1,666 bond. She was in the area filming Haunted Mansion.
Starred as Detective Danner in The Afterparty (Apple TV+)
Portrayed Detective Danner in the Apple TV+ series The Afterparty (2022–2023).
Sued for alleged child sexual abuse (lawsuit filed)
On August 30, 2022, Haddish and comedian Aries Spears were sued alleging grooming and sexual abuse of two minors; Haddish's attorney denied the claims.
Child abuse lawsuit dismissed per plaintiff's request
In September 2022 the plaintiff 'Jane Doe' filed to dismiss the suit with prejudice, stating she knew Haddish and did not believe she would harm her or her brother; the suit was dismissed.
Arrested for alleged DUI in Beverly Hills; charges later dropped
Arrested on November 24, 2023 after a call about a woman unresponsive at the wheel; charges were later dropped.
Emceed a pro‑Israel rally in Washington, D.C.
Served as emcee for a pro‑Israel rally in Washington, D.C. on November 10, 2024.
Included on The New Yorker's list of best film performances of 21st century (2021 list cited)
In 2021 The New Yorker included Haddish's performance in Girls Trip on its list of the best film performances of the 21st century; this recognition has been cited in 2021 and reiterated in reference articles through 2025.
Key Achievement Ages
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