Notoriously known from her side-splitting routines in “The Queens of Comedy” (2001), super-fabulous comedienne Mo’Nique’s real claim to fame and success in Hollywood was starring in her own sitcom, the “Moesha” spin-off series “The Parkers” (UPN, 1999-2004), as Nikki, the charmingly brash mother of “Moesha” veteran Kim Parker (played by Countess Vaughn). The former plus-size model spoke in down-home truths that resonated across gender, body size and social class.Born Mo’Nique Imes on Dec. 11, 1967 in Baltimore, MD, the young girl wanted to break into show business at an early age. Shortly after graduating from high school, she decided to pursue comedy full time after enjoying positive audience reception that followed a dare-induced debut performance. She started out entertaining youthful audiences, playing well to high school and college students with her positive outlook and unique attitude, before moving on to open for touring R&B musicians like Keith Sweat and Bobby Brown.
Before long, the versatile comedienne was frequently performing on TV's leading stand-up venues, including stints on "Showtime at the Apollo" (NBC, 1987- ), "Russell Simmons' Def Comedy Jam" (HBO, 1992-97) and BET's "Comic View" (1992- ) before landing on "The Parkers."
Mo'Nique successfully segued into acting, happily taking the role of Nikki on the popular series. The character's energetic manner and strong personality was based on the real-life Mo'Nique – traits that she had famously displayed onstage in her comedy routines. On "The Parkers," mother and daughter attend Santa Monica Junior College together, much to the initial chagrin and disdain of the younger Parker. Despite her lack of formal training, Mo'Nique capably handled the role and proved to be charming as an adult student with an eye for her professor (Dorien Wilson) and likeable as a strong-willed young mother.
With her star rising, Mo'Nique launched a soon-to-be thriving film career. Her popularity exploded in 2001, when she was one of four African-American women who headlined the concert film "The Queens of Comedy." From there, she became the host of "Showtime at the Apollo," where she was rated “best of all time” host for the long running show, following a TV website poll. She also find time to become an early comedy mentor for on-the-rise young comic sensation Little JJ.
As her career momentum continued to build, Mo'Nique landed multiple supporting roles in big screen comedies and occasional dramas, with most of her projects predominantly aimed at urban audiences, including "3 Strikes" (2004); Tyrese's debut film "Baby Boy" (2001); "Two Can Play That Game" (2001) starring Morris Chestnut, Vivica A. Fox and Anthony Anderson; "Half Past Dead" (2002); and "Garfield: The Movie" (2004), in which she voiced a CGI character. In 2005, Mo'Nique provided a hysterical cameo in the Tony Scott bounty hunter thriller "Domino," co-starring Kiera Knightly and Mickey Rourke. By 2006, Mo'Nique was the cast as the lead in "Phat Girlz" – a so-called comedy about an aspiring plus size fashion designer struggling to find love and acceptance. Unfortunately for Mo’Nique, her first foray as lead actress in a motion picture was met with a resounding critical and box office thud.
Profession(s):
Actor, comedian, fashion designer, model
Sometimes Credited As:
Mo'Nique
Mo'Nique Imes Jackson
Monique
Monique Imes
Mrs Fields
