Ricky Harris Biography

(Actor)

Birthday: October 5, 1962 (Libra)

Born In: Long Beach, California, United States

Ricky Harris was an American actor, comedian, voice actor, and producer, best remembered for his performance as ‘Malvo’ in the TV series ‘Everybody Hates Chris.’ Born and raised in Long Beach, California, he grew up in religious surroundings and sang in the church choir along with his childhood friend Snoop Dogg. He began his performing career in the 1990s, with ‘HBO’s ‘Def Comedy Jam.’ He made his movie debut with the romantic film ‘Poetic Justice,’ appearing alongside Janet Jackson and Tupac Shakur. Thereafter, he worked in a number of feature films, including ‘Heat,’ ‘Hard Rain,’ ‘The Breaks,’ ‘Bones,’ and ‘This Christmas.’ Harris had appeared in Snoop Dogg’s videos, too. He had also lent his voice to the video game ‘Grand Theft Auto: San Andreas.’ He was known for his racy stand-up comedy acts and also for his work in family series. His prominent TV works included recurring roles in the sitcoms ‘Moesha’ and ‘Everybody Hates Chris’ and appearances in several other series, such as ‘CSI,’ ‘The Handler,’ ‘The Tracy Morgan Show,’ ‘Raising the Bar,’ and ‘The Cape.’ Harris had two daughters with his wife, Dee Barnes. They divorced later. He died of a heart attack in 2016.

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Quick Facts

Also Known As: Richard George Harris II

Died At Age: 54

Family:

Spouse/Ex-: Dee Barnes (divorced)

Born Country: United States

Actors Comedians

Died on: December 26, 2016

place of death: Los Angeles, California, United States

U.S. State: California, African-American From California

City: Long Beach, California

Childhood & Early Life
Harris was born Richard George Harris II, on October 5, 1965, in Long Beach, California. His father was a preacher. Rapper Snoop Dogg was his childhood friend, and the two sang together in the church choir.
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Career
As a performer, Harris first appeared in ‘HBO’s ‘Def Comedy Jam’ during the 1990s. He made his movie debut with the 1993 romantic drama film ‘Poetic Justice,’ in which he appeared as ‘Gangsta,’ alongside Janet Jackson and Tupac Shakur. The same year, he appeared as ‘Private Detective Clay Gentry’ in an episode of the series ‘Danger Theatre,’ working with Todd Hunter.
In 1994, Harris appeared in Snoop Dogg’s video short ‘Snoop Doggy Dogg: Gin & Juice.’ The Snoop Dogg-starrer short film ‘Murder Was the Case’ (1994) featured him as an eye witness and also as Snoop’s father.
The 1995 horror–comedy anthology ‘Tales from the Hood’ featured him as ‘Lil’ Deke.’ The same year, Harris also appeared in the role of ‘Albert Torena’ in director Michael Mann’s crime film ‘Heat’ (1995). After appearing as a DJ in the 1996 comedy film ‘High School High,’ he had a recurring role as ‘Javon Willis’ (or ‘J.W.’) in the ‘UPN’ sitcom ‘Moesha’ (1996–1998).
Harris played minor roles in the comedy film ‘Fathers' Day’ (1997) and the series ‘Millennium’ (1997). He was subsequently seen as ‘Ray’ in the action thriller ‘Hard Rain’ (1998). He also provided voice to characters such as ‘DJ EZ Dicc,’ ‘TaaDow,’ and ‘Saul-T-Nutz,’ in the skits of Snoop Dogg’s albums.
The 1999 comedy film ‘The Breaks’ featured him as a militant leader. The same year, he played ‘Rodney’ in the film ‘Thick as Thieves.’ The 2001 horror film ‘Bones’ featured him as ‘Eddie Mack,’ alongside Snoop Dogg and Pam Grier.
Harris appeared in short roles in a number of TV series, such as ‘CSI: Crime Scene Investigation’ (2000), ‘The District’ (2001), ‘NYPD Blue’ (two episodes, 2001), ‘The Handler’ (2003), ‘The Tracy Morgan Show’ (2003), ‘CSI: NY’ (2004), ‘ER’ (2005), ‘CSI: Miami’ (2007), ‘The Game’ (2008), ‘Raising the Bar’ (2008), ‘Dark Blue’ (2009), and ‘The Cape’ (2011).
In 2003, Harris played ‘K-9’ in two episodes of the series ‘Fastlane.’ In 2004, he provided voice to the characters of ‘Johnny Parkinson,’ ‘DJ/pimp of Master Sound 98.3,’ and a gangster, in the video game ‘Grand Theft Auto: San Andreas.’ In 2004, he appeared as ‘Eli’ in the drama film ‘Woman Thou Art Loosed.’
In Chris Rock’s ‘UPN’\‘The CW’ sitcom ‘Everybody Hates Chris,’ he played the recurring role of ‘Malvo’ (2006–008). The romantic musical comedy film ‘This Christmas’ (2007) had Harris essaying the role of ‘Cousin Fred.’ The TV movie ‘Royal Family Christmas’ (2015) featured him as ‘Nelson,’ whereas the comedy–drama ‘Dope’ (2015) had him essaying the role of ‘Tannehill James.’
He had directed and written the 1995 video short ‘Murder Was the Case: The Movie.’
Some of the movies in which Harris had worked were released after his death. He appeared as ‘Kenny’ in the war action–thriller ‘Check Point’ (2017). The upcoming dramatic comedy film ‘The Workout Room’ will feature him as ‘Ricky Harris.’
Family & Personal Life
Harris was married to TV personality and rapper Dee Barnes. The couple had two daughters. They divorced later.
On December 26, 2016, he died of a heart attack in Los Angeles, California.
Following his death, Snoop Dogg posted a video on ‘Instagram,’ referring to him as “My big brother” and “Long Beach Original.”
Harris is survived by his mother, his former wife, and his two daughters.
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Article Title
- Ricky Harris Biography
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- Editors, TheFamousPeople.com
Website
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URL
https://www.thefamouspeople.com/profiles/ricky-harris-48635.php

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