Jay Pharoah is an American comedian, actor, and television personality widely known for his exceptional celebrity impressions. Born in Chesapeake, Virginia, he discovered his talent for impressions as a child. Encouraged by his father, he entered local talent shows and began performing stand-up in Virginia comedy clubs at age 15. His early performances quickly gained attention, which helped launch his professional comedy career.

Pharoah’s breakthrough came when a YouTube video of his Barack Obama impression went viral, catching the attention of Saturday Night Live producers. He subsequently joined the SNL cast in 2010, propelling him to national fame. During his six seasons on the show, he became known for memorable impressions of figures such as Barack Obama, Jay-Z, and Eddie Murphy. His work on the show helped establish him as one of the most recognizable impressionists in modern comedy.

After leaving SNL in 2016, Jay Pharoah expanded his career into acting, voice work, and hosting. In 2024, he became the host of the Fox game show The Quiz With Balls, marking a major step in his television hosting career. Alongside hosting, he continues to perform stand-up comedy and appear in films and television projects.