Happy Birthday, Chris Tucker ! The Life And Times Of The Comedy Legend

The icon turns 52 years old today.

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Following His Dreams - Following his high school graduation, Chris relocated from his native Georgia to Los Angeles to claim his stake in comedy and subsequently film.                                                                                                (Photo: Ron Galella, Ltd./WireImage, Getty Images)
A Star Is Born - After gaining popularity on the local L.A. comedy circuit, Tucker was invited to take part in Russell Simmons’ wildly successful HBO series Def Comedy Jam. It was there his career began to gain momentum and he developed his already brilliant style of fast talking, melodramatic and physical yet relatable comedy style. (Photo: HBO)
It's a Party! - In 1994, Chris Tucker made his cinematic debut in House Party 3 as Johnny Booze after being recruited from his frequent appearances on Def Comedy Jam. (Photo: New Line Cinema)T.G.I.F - Who could forget Craig’s fast-talking and hilariously frantic stoner pal Smokey in 1995’s Friday? Shot in only 20 days, this blockbuster saw Chris Tucker’s star rise to prominence. The success of Friday was not only based on box office or the classic one liners, but also on the notoriety Tucker would gain in Hollywood in the films that followed this low budget, yet brilliant comedy.(Photo: New Line Cinema)

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Following His Dreams - In the early 1990s, following his high school graduation, Chris relocated from his native Georgia to Los Angeles to claim his stake in comedy and subsequently film. (Photo: Ron Galella, Ltd./WireImage, Getty Images)

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