2024 NAACP Image Awards: Leslie Jones' Unapologetic Humor: A Closer Look at Her Stand-Up and Film Performances
Leslie Jones has been making it happen in the comedy world for over 20 years now. Though the hilarious “Saturday Night Live” alum caught her big break when she joined the famous sketch comedy staple, stand-up is where she got her real start. Jones built her path to success from the ground up by taking her act on the road and rubbing elbows with big-time comedians like Kevin Hart, Chris Rock, and Jamie Foxx. She became a huge star in the process, and in no time at all, she took her talents straight to the big screen.
Since her “SNL” days, Jones has maintained a flourishing comedy career, still starring in major movies and even her own Netflix special. Last week, the comic took home an NAACP Image Award for Outstanding Performance in a Short Form Series for her appearance on "The Daily Show."
Take a look at some of her impressive stand-up and film performances ahead.
“Problem Child: Leslie Jones”
Jones’ “Problem Child” marked her first-ever hour-long stand-up special and a massive milestone in pushing her career forward in 2010. The comedian fully displayed her hysterical talents in her official debut, joking about everything from growing up tall to her love life.
“Lottery Ticket”
Jones was in great company when she snagged a hilarious part in 2010’s “Lottery Ticket.” The comedy, which follows a young man’s wild weekend in the projects after winning big in the Mondo Millions, starred the comedian alongside Bow Wow, Loretta Devine, Naturi Naughton, Ice Cube, and the late Charlie Murphy.
“Top Five”
Jones scored another small yet memorable part in Chris Rock’s 2014 comedy “Top Five,” starring as one of his friends. In addition to her and Rock, the movie’s cast included legendary comedians like J.B. Smoove, Tracy Morgan, Jay Pharoah, and Cedric the Entertainer, some of whom featured in its unforgettable, largely ad-libbed scene where they all roast each other. Rock once said it was “the best scene in the movie, and Leslie was the best part of it.”
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“Ghostbusters”
Jones’ career hit a new level in 2016 when she joined the all-female ensemble remake of the classic film “Ghostbusters,” starring opposite Melissa McCarthy, Kristen Wiig, and Kate McKinnon. Her character, an MTA worker who teams up with a trio of scientists to take down ghosts, marked her first significant role in a Hollywood blockbuster.
“Leslie Jones: Time Machine”
In 2020, Jones returned to her stand-up roots with her second comedy special, Netflix’s “Time Machine.” The hour-long performance showed her as a more seasoned comic, documenting her growth with raw humor and even bigger jokes as she traced her evolution. The special earned Jones rave reviews and, to this day, still has a 100% score on Rotten Tomatoes.