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That changed during this weekend's premiere of the Lorne Michaels-produced sketch comedy series' 36th season.
The fresh-faced and relatively unknown Jared "Jay Pharoah" Farrow made his 'SNL' debut Saturday night -appearing as box-office superstar Will Smith on the show's satirical news segment 'Weekend Update' and later showing up portraying Chris Tucker during an spoof of a sequel to 'The Expendables' action flick.
The 22-year-old - whose birthday is in a couple of weeks - reportedly grew up in the Greenbrier section of Chesapeake, Virginia, and honed his comedic skills in local comedy clubs and as a drama student at Indian River High School.
He gained a following as being a spot-on impressionist, doing his take on comedy stars like Eddie Murphy (see video below).A few years ago, the long-running NBC show -- who launched the careers of Murphy, Chris Rock, Tracy Morgan and Finesse Mitchell -- was faced with challenges in finding a cast member who can impersonate the Leader of the Free World, President Barack Obama - the source of much 'SNL' fodder. Michaels' decision to have a non-black comedic actor, Fred Armisen, portray the country's first black president was met with widespread criticism.
With the show's latest addition, that may change - a full three years after Obama caught the national spotlight during his presidential run. Pharaoh - as he professionally credited on the show - does his own take on the Commander in Chief.
But maybe not. According to the New York Times, a production source said that there are no plans to Pharaoh to take over the reins from Armisen.
Meanwhile, fellow black 'SNL' castmembers Maya Rudolph and Kenan Thompson also appeared on the season premiere.
Popular Black Comedians
Mo'Nique
Started Out: Appearing at the downtown Baltimore Comedy Factory Outlet. Big Break: Starred on the hit UPN sitcom 'The Parkers.' Hometown: Baltimore Also Was Seen: In 'Three Can Play That Game,' 'Hair Show' and 'Shadowboxer.' Factoid: Born in 1967, Mo'Nique (real name: Monique Imes) is the author of 'Skinny Women are Evil: Notes of a Big Girl in a Small-Minded World' and the cookbook 'Skinny Cooks Can't Be Trusted.'
George Wallace
Started Out: Doing a completely improvised routine in a New York City comedy club circa 1977. Big Break: Worked as a writer for 'The Redd Foxx Show.' Hometown: Atlanta Also Was Seen: In the movies 'The Ladykillers' and 'Batman Forever.' Factoid: Born in 1952, Wallace owns and operates one of Las Vegas' most popular stand-up comedy shows -- his very own at the legendary Flamingo.
Damon Wayans
Started Out: As a stand-up comic on the syndicated TV show 'Solid Gold.' Big Break: Starred in the hit 1990s sketch comedy show 'In Living Color,' along with family members Keenan Ivory Wayans, Kim Wayans, Marlon Wayans and Shawn Wayans. Hometown: New York City Also Was Seen: In 'Beverly Hills Cop,' 'Mo Money' and 'Marci X.' Factoid: Born in 1960, Wayans served as the executive producer of '413 Hope St.,' a short-lived drama on the FOX network starring Richard Roundtree and Jesse L. Martin, which premiered in 1997.
Chris Rock
Started Out: Doing stand-up comedy in 1985 in New York City's Catch a Rising Star Comedy Club. Big Break: Was a cast member of the popular sketch comedy series 'Saturday Night Live.' Hometown: New York City Also Was Seen: In the movie 'New Jack City,' where he played a crackhead informant. Factoid: Born in 1965, Rock won a Grammy for best spoken comedy album in 1999 for the project 'Bigger & Blacker.'
Paul Mooney
Started Out: As a writer for the groundbreaking sitcoms 'The Richard Pryor Show' and 'Sanford and Son.' Big Break: Creating the character Homie the Clown for the irreverent sketch comedy show 'In Living Color.' Hometown: Louisiana Also Was Seen: In the movies 'Hollywood Shuffle,' and 'Bamboozled.' Factoid: Born in 1941, Mooney recorded racially charged comedy albums - via Stepsun Records - during the 1990s and gained newfound notoriety as Negrodamus on the hit Comedy Central series 'Chappelle's Show.'
Wanda Sykes
Started Out: Began her stand-up career at a Coors Light Super Talent Showcase in Washington, D.C. Big Break: Played multiple roles on Chris Rock's Emmy Award-winning HBO show. Hometown: Portsmouth, Va. Also Was Seen: In the movies 'Monster-in-Law' and 'Pooty Tang' and on the TV shows 'Wanda At Large,' 'Curb Your Enthusiasm' and 'The New Adventures of Old Christine.' Factoid: During a Las Vegas gay rights rally in November 2008, Sykes proclaimed she was "proud to be gay."
Whoopi Goldberg
Started Out: In 1984, her one-woman show - directed by Mike Nichols -- became a Broadway hit. Big Break: The Steven Spielberg-directed movie 'The Color Purple,' in which she made her debut and won an Academy Award nomination. Hometown: New York City Also Was Seen: In 'Jumping Jack Flash,' 'Made in America,' 'Sister Act' and 'Ghost,' for which she won the Oscar for best supporting actress for her role as a colorful and crafty clairvoyant. Factoid: Born in 1955, Goldberg (real name: Caryn Elaine Johnson) became a co-host of ABC's long-running talk show, 'The View,' in 2007.
Dave Chappelle
Started Out: Cutting his teeth on the New York City comedy circuit. Big Break: He co-wrote and starred in the 1998 stoner film 'Half Baked.' Hometown: Washington, D.C. Also Was Seen: In the movies 'Robin Hood: Men in Tights,' 'Blue Streak,' 'The Nutty Professor' and 'Undercover Brother.' Factoid: Born in 1973, Chappelle (real name: David Anand Khari Webber Chappelle) helmed his eponymous Comedy Central show, which was wildly popular until he walked away in the middle of its third season.
Chris Tucker
Started Out: Small parts in TV shows such as 'Roseanne' and 'Hangin' with Mr. Cooper.' Big Break: Playing Ice Cube's sidekick in the 1985 comedy movie 'Friday.' Hometown: Atlanta Also Was Seen: In the movies 'Money Talks,' 'The Fifth Element' and the blockbuster 'Rush Hour' movie franchise. Factoid: Born in 1972, Tucker endorsed Barack Obama rather than Hillary Clinton in the 2008 primaries even though he traveled overseas with President Bill Clinton.
Finesse Mitchell
Started Out: Appeared on BET's 'Comic View' in 1999. Big Break: Was a cast member on 'Saturday Night Live' in 2003. Hometown: Atlanta Also Was Seen: In the movies 'Who's Your Caddy?' 'The Comebacks' and 'Mad Money.' Factoid: Born in 1972, the University of Miami graduate authored the book 'Your Girlfriends Only Know So Much.'