2023 NAACP Image Awards: See Which ‘Kings of Comedy’ Have Hosted the Annual Celebration of Black Excellence

(Photo credit should read LUCY NICHOLSON/AFP via Getty Images)

US comedians Steve Harvey (L) and Cedric "The Entertainer" are interviewed at the premiere of Spike Lee's new film "The Original Kings of Comedy", which is about their comedy concert tour, in Hollywood, CA, 10 August 2000. (ELECTRONIC IMAGE) AFP PHOTO/Lucy NICHOLSON (Photo by LUCY NICHOLSON / AFP) (Photo credit should read LUCY NICHOLSON/AFP via Getty Images)

By Tabie Germain

January 19, 2023 / 6:00 AM

Legendary stand-up comedians Steve Harvey, D.L. Hughley, Cedric the Entertainer, and the late Bernie Mac, better known as the “Original Kings of Comedy,” have been making fans laugh for several decades at various tours, television shows, and most notably, the 2000 film titled, “The Original Kings of Comedy.”

A few have even brought laughter to the NAACP Image Awards stage as hosts of the prestigious celebration of Black Hollywood. In honor of the big event set to happen live on Saturday, February 25, 2023, we’re looking back to some of our most memorable moments, including some of our favorite hosts like these Kings of Comedy. Check it out below.

Cedric the Entertainer
(Photo by Charley Gallay/Getty Images for NAACP Image Awards)
LOS ANGELES, CA - FEBRUARY 01: Cedric the Entertainer poses for a portrait during the 44th NAACP Image Awards at The Shrine Auditorium on February 1, 2013 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Charley Gallay/Getty Images for NAACP Image Awards)
Comedian and actor Cedric the Entertainer took on hosting duties in 2003 at the 34th annual event giving fellow funnyman Chris Tucker a break from his two-year run.
RELATED: NAACP & BET Announce “54TH NAACP Image Awards” To Air Live
D.L. Hughley
(Photo by Jesse Grant/Getty Images)
LOS ANGELES, CA - FEBRUARY 14: Host D.L. Hughley speaks onstage during the 39th NAACP Image Awards held at the Shrine Auditorium on February 14, 2008 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Jesse Grant/Getty Images)
In 2008, actor and stand-up comedian D.L. Hughley became the second “King of Comedy” to host the illustrious celebration of Black excellence in Hollywood.
Steve Harvey
(Photo by Kevin Winter/Getty Images for NAACP Image Awards)
LOS ANGELES, CA - FEBRUARY 01: Host Steve Harvey speaks onstage during the 44th NAACP Image Awards at The Shrine Auditorium on February 1, 2013 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Kevin Winter/Getty Images for NAACP Image Awards)
Legendary television host Steve Harvey hosted the 44th annual NAACP Image Awards in 2013, just one year before actor Anthony Anderson would go on to host the show for the next nine years. The prestigious opportunity also marked the last time a King of Comedy legend hosted the ceremony.
Watch the NAACP Image Awards live on Saturday, February 25, 2023, at 8:00 pm ET/PT on BET.