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Chris Spencer

Chris Spencer

Actor, writer and producer, also director · Born January 2, 1968 (58) · Los Angeles, California, USA

Writers Guild Award nominee

Chris Spencer is an American actor, comedian, writer, producer, and director. He was the inaugural host of the syndicated late-night talk show Vibe, adapted from the magazine of the same name. He later appeared in numerous film and television projects, including Don't Be a Menace to South Central While Drinking Your Juice in the Hood, The Sixth Man, Significant Others, and Postal. In addition to on-screen work, he has built a substantial career as a writer, contributing to projects for the Wayans family, Jamie Foxx, and playing a notable role in the early development of Nick Cannon’s Wild 'N Out. His writing credits also include the scripted comedy series Real Husbands of Hollywood. He maintains an active career as a stand-up comedian, with performances on The Chris Rock Show, Jimmy Kimmel Live!, and HBO’s Def Comedy Jam. He is also a co-host of the weekly podcast Minivan Men with comedians Al Madrigal and Maz Jobrani. In 2017, he co-created the television series White Famous.

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Biography from TMDB.

Born
January 2, 1968 (58)
From
Los Angeles, California, USA
Works as
Actor, writer and producer, also director
Titles
37 on MovieCove · 55 credits in all
Links
IMDb (opens in a new tab)TMDB (opens in a new tab)Wikidata (opens in a new tab)

Known for

TMDB popularity, last 155 days to Oct 26Down 38% in 30 days

What are Chris Spencer's films like?

Across their 23 MovieCove titles with a thematic analysis, their films lean Self and Bonds.

Genres

Comedy9 titlesTypical Midcredits score: 38th percentile
: browse their Comedy movies
Action3 titlesTypical Midcredits score: 22nd percentile
: browse their Action movies
Documentary3 titlesTypical Midcredits score: 73rd percentile, at or above their average across these genres
: browse their Documentary movies
Drama2 titlesTypical Midcredits score: 42nd percentile
: browse their Drama movies

Their MovieCove films by primary genre. The badge is the typical Midcredits score of the genre's films, the median percentile; an up arrow marks a genre at or above their average across these genres.

Themes

share of theme weight
Self
34%
Bonds
23%
Society
21%
Morality
12%
Power
6%
Survival
2%
Ideas
1%
Identity7 titles, browse their movies with this themeFame5 titles, browse their movies with this themeSelf-worth5 titles, browse their movies with this themeRomantic love4 titles, browse their movies with this themeCommunity3 titles, browse their movies with this themeFamily bonds3 titles, browse their movies with this themeAmbition4 titles, browse their movies with this themePurpose3 titles, browse their movies with this theme

What they feel like to watch

their average across 19 films
ToneFeelDemandtheir average · filled zone: the category
Light: How heavy the subject matter and outlook get. Browse their light movies.
Tone · Weight
lightdark

Light 14 · Serious 3 · Dark 2

Grounded: How far its world departs from everyday reality. Browse their grounded movies.
Tone · Style
naturalisticheightened

Grounded 15 · Stylized 2 · Heightened 2

Charged: How hard the emotional peaks hit while you watch. Browse their charged movies.
Feel · Intensity
gentleintense

A split, not a type: Gentle 10 · Charged 5 · Intense 4

Shifting: How much it swings between very different feelings. Browse their shifting movies.
Feel · Swings
steadyswings

A split, not a type: Steady 9 · Shifting 5 · Whiplash 5

Funny: How much of the runtime is played for laughs. Browse their funny movies.
Feel · Humor
noneconstant

Straight-faced 3 · Some laughs 5 · Funny 11

Even-paced: How fast it moves from scene to scene. Browse their even-paced movies.
Demand · Pace
slowrelentless

Slow burn 6 · Even-paced 9 · Relentless 4

Casual: How much focus it asks of you — look away and lose the thread? Browse their casual movies.
Demand · Attention
casualfull focus

Casual 16 · Engaged 3 · Full focus 0

Resolved: How much is left for you to interpret. Browse their resolved movies.
Demand · Resolution
resolvedambiguous

Resolved 17 · Open-ended 2 · Ambiguous 0

Roles they play

4 analyzed roles

Usually the Ally: 3 of 4 analyzed roles.

Ally
3 of 4
Mentor
1 of 4

Moods and endings

endings are an aggregate; no title is named

Dominant moods · mentions across their titles

Joyful
12
Absurd
11
Tense
6
Manic
7
Warm
6
Other
13

How their films linger

Feel-good13 titles, browse their movies with this aftertasteFun10 titles, browse their movies with this aftertasteThought-provoking6 titles, browse their movies with this aftertasteUnsettling5 titles, browse their movies with this aftertasteHopeful4 titles, browse their movies with this aftertasteBittersweet4 titles, browse their movies with this aftertaste

How their films end · 1 with a twist

  • Happy10
  • Bittersweet7
  • Tragic1
  • Ambiguous2
  • Cyclical3

AI-generated from each title's plot synopsis and cast list, with extra plot summaries, reviews and Parents Guide notes for titles the model may not know, and the model's own knowledge of the ones it recognizes. Only analyzed titles count, so this covers part of the filmography; the feel axes count films only for now.

Where can I watch Chris Spencer's films?

As of October 24, 2026, 30 of their 37 MovieCove titles stream on a subscription or free service, most on Tubi (16).

Also on these channels

Subscription and free streaming for Chris Spencer's titles on MovieCove; rent and buy are not counted. Titles are listed by Midcredits score, highest first, at most 12 per service; a dashed chip is a producer credit or a minor one, such as a thanks. A service opens the browse page, which counts movies only, so its number can differ.

Filmography

55 credits, 37 with a MovieCove page; 9 appearances as themselves are hidden until asked for.

  • The Roast of Kevin Hart(2026)

    Writer

    Midcredits score: 50th percentile of all films

  • The Roast of Tom Brady(2024)

    Writer

    Midcredits score: 82nd percentile of all films

  • Black Comedy in America(2024)

    Show Producer · as Self

    Midcredits score: 14th percentile of all shows (provisional, few ratings)

  • Jamie Foxx: What Had Happened Was...(2024)

    Producer

    Midcredits score: 54th percentile of all films

  • Back on the Strip(2023)

    Director · Producer · Writer · as DJ St Aubyn

    Midcredits score: 10th percentile of all films

  • 2022: Back That Year Up(2022)

    Co-Executive Producer

    Midcredits score: 42nd percentile of all films

  • Real Husbands of Hollywood(2022)

    Show Producer · Writer

    Midcredits score: 34th percentile of all shows

  • All The Way Black (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2020)

    Show 12 episodes · as Host

  • Presidents at War (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2019)

    Show 2 episodes · Director

  • White Famous(2017)

    Show Creator · Writer

    Midcredits score: 16th percentile of all shows

  • I Really Hate My Ex(2015)

    as Calvin

    Midcredits score: 50th percentile of all films

  • The Final Shot: A Farewell to Boardwalk Empire (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2014)

    Executive Producer

  • Black-ish(2014)

    Show 2 episodes · as Ronnie

    Midcredits score: 61st percentile of all shows

  • Being Mary Jane(2013)

    Show 12 episodes · as Chris Warren

    Midcredits score: 73rd percentile of all shows

  • For Richer or Poorer (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2012)

    as Deshaun

  • Bad Ass(2012)

    as Martin Sr.

    Midcredits score: 26th percentile of all films

  • Russell Simmons Presents: The Ruckus(2012)

    Show 1 episode · Producer · as Self

    Midcredits score: 1st percentile of all shows (provisional, few ratings)

  • The Undershepherd(2012)

    Producer

    Midcredits score: 72nd percentile of all films

  • Chocolate Sundaes Presents: Live on Sunset Strip!: Vol. 2 (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2011)

    Director

  • The Perfect Gift(2011)

    as Mr. Henry

    Midcredits score: 4th percentile of all films (provisional, few ratings)

  • Chocolate Sundaes Comedy Show: Live On Sunset Strip! (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2010)

    Producer · as Chris Spencer

  • Something Like a Business(2010)

    as Payton Profit

    Midcredits score: 11th percentile of all films

  • The 41-Year-Old Virgin Who Knocked Up Sarah Marshall and Felt Superbad About It(2010)

    as Officer Beat

    Midcredits score: 1st percentile of all films

  • Black Dynamite(2009)

    as Militant 1

    Midcredits score: 92nd percentile of all films

  • The Family Hour (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2009)

    Writer · as Comic

  • Redrum(2007)

    as Waiter

    Midcredits score: 7th percentile of all films

  • Postal(2007)

    as Officer Greg

    Midcredits score: 22nd percentile of all films

  • BloodRayne II: Deliverance(2007)

    as Bartender Bob

    Midcredits score: 1st percentile of all films

  • Delta Farce(2007)

    as Co-Pilot

    Midcredits score: 4th percentile of all films

  • Love Lounge (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2005)

    Show 1 episode · Actor

  • Cuts (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2005)

    Show 1 episode · Actor

  • Second Time Around (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2004)

    Show 1 episode · as Ted

  • The Big Black Comedy Show: Vol. 1 (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2004)

    Actor

  • Road Kings(2003)

    as Baby Ray Ray

    Midcredits score: 56th percentile of all films

  • Love Chronicles(2003)

    as Gavin

    Midcredits score: 12th percentile of all films

  • Sin(2003)

    as Vincent Peavey

    Midcredits score: 10th percentile of all films

  • Half & Half(2002)

    Show 1 episode · as Darrell

    Midcredits score: 68th percentile of all shows

  • Jamie Foxx: I Might Need Security(2002)

    Producer · Writer

    Midcredits score: 73rd percentile of all films

  • Two Can Play That Game(2001)

    as Lying Man #2

    Midcredits score: 51st percentile of all films

  • All About You(2001)

    as Owen

    Midcredits score: 67th percentile of all films

  • Soul Food (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2000)

    Show 1 episode · as Drew

  • Mark Twain Prize (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1999)

    Show 1 episode · Writer

  • Charmed(1998)

    Show 1 episode · as Smitty

    Midcredits score: 71st percentile of all shows

  • Rude Awakening (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1998)

    Show 1 episode · as Ritch

  • Every Dog Has Its Day(1998)

    as Maurice

    Midcredits score: 30th percentile of all films (provisional, few ratings)

  • Fakin' Da Funk(1997)

    as Charlie

    Midcredits score: 74th percentile of all films

  • The Sixth Man(1997)

    as Jimmy Stubbs

    Midcredits score: 38th percentile of all films

  • The Jamie Foxx Show(1996)

    Show 8 episodes · as Curtis

    Midcredits score: 40th percentile of all shows

  • The Show (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1996)

    Show 8 episodes · Actor

  • Don't Be a Menace to South Central While Drinking Your Juice in the Hood(1996)

    as Preach

    Midcredits score: 69th percentile of all films

  • A Low Down Dirty Shame(1994)

    as Benny

    Midcredits score: 44th percentile of all films

  • ER(1994)

    Show 1 episode · as Keith Trager

    Midcredits score: 88th percentile of all shows

  • The John Larroquette Show (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1993)

    Show 1 episode · as Marine

  • The Emmy Awards (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1949)

    Show 1 episode · Writer

  • Golden Globe Awards (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1944)

    Show 1 episode · Writer

Career shape

Star power in the 92nd percentile of 239,109 people with a billed film role, over a full career of 49 titles from 1944 to 2026; peak year 1996.

Biggest box office

Don't Be a Menace to South Central While Drinking Your Juice in the Hood (1996)

$21M worldwide

Highest rated

The Roast of Tom Brady (2024)

Midcredits 82nd

Most popular right now

Don't Be a Menace to South Central While Drinking Your Juice in the Hood (1996)

Film career

19442026

Peak 1996 · fewer prominent film roles lately. Film roles by billing, audience size and rating; 25+ votes. A show carries a single first-air date, so shows are not on the curve.

By role

only this rolewith another role
Acting38 of 49: 35 only acting, 3 with another role · typical Midcredits score42ndDirecting3 of 49: 2 only directing, 1 with another roleWriting8 of 49: 6 only writing, 2 with another roleProducing4 of 49: 2 only producing, 2 with another roleOther crew1 of 49: 1 only other crew, 0 with another role

49 titles, 3 with more than one role — acting and writing overlap on 2 of them.

By decade

1940s2 · crew1990s12 · 11 acting · 1 crew2000s18 · 17 acting · 2 crew2010s12 · 8 acting · 5 crew2020s5 · 2 acting · 4 crew

Billing

usually 11th · top billed in 0% of 12 roles
9404

Counts from TMDB across their full career, self appearances out; a title counts in every role they held on it. The ring is the typical Midcredits score (the median percentile) of the role's titles that are on MovieCove, shown from 5 scored. Billing is TMDB cast order for roles with 25+ votes, billed in the top 30; the columns are the share of top-billed roles in each era, 5-year spans from the year on the label, merged until each holds at least 5 roles.

Awards

Nominated for a Writers Guild Award in 2026, Comedy/Variety Specials.

Major bodies only: the Oscars, Primetime Emmys, Golden Globes, BAFTAs and Screen Actors Guild Awards are named; Cannes, Venice, the Berlinale, Sundance, the directors', writers' and producers' guilds, the Grammys, Critics Choice and the Independent Spirit Awards count as other major bodies. Festival and regional prizes are not counted. Source: IMDb.

How do Chris Spencer's films land?

Their typical MovieCove film has a Midcredits score in the 42nd percentile, the median of all 27; across their 19 films with reception data, the typical film sits in the 41st percentile for acclaim.

Acclaim · how much people like their films

41stpercentile
Typical film, the median of 19

Approval · how many liked their films

39thpercentile
Typical film, the median of 19

Reach · how many have seen their films

61stpercentile
Typical film, the median of 19

Midcredits score across 37 titles, by percentile

  • 75th and up3
  • 50th to 74th14
  • 25th to 49th7
  • Below 25th13

Shape of the crowd

20 of their 37 titles are Mixed.

  • Universally Loved1
  • Divisive5
  • Cult Classic4
  • Crowd Pleaser7
  • Mixed20

Most divisive · actor, producer

Black Comedy in America (2024)

98th percentile spread · 45% rated it 4 or lower

Most loved · actor

Black Dynamite (2009)

Midcredits 92nd · 79% liked

Reviewers score the acting 58/100 in their films, across 14 reviewed titles; fans 73, detractors 33. The element that speaks to their work as an actor.

Percentiles are each film's standing among all films on MovieCove; the typical film is the median, so one outlier cannot drag it. Percentiles and reviewer scores count the films IMDb credits them on, for now; the Midcredits score bands, the shape of the crowd and the two cards count their MovieCove titles, shows included (a show ranked among shows), appearances as themselves left out. A descriptor is the shape of a title's IMDb rating distribution against the catalog; "most divisive" needs a spread wider than half of all titles, and a card names only a principal credit: a craft role, and on a show a crew role or a run of episodes, never a courtesy credit or a one-off guest spot.

Is Chris Spencer's work okay for kids?

Across up to 6 MovieCove titles with content scores, sex & nudity runs heavier than most films.

Their medianMedian of all filmsMiddle 80% of their titles
Violence & Gore4 titlesmedian 63 · intenseMedian of all films: 44
Sex & Nudity6 titles21–73 · median 58 · moderateheavier than most filmsMedian of all films: 32
Profanity4 titlesmedian 90 · severeMedian of all films: 36
Alcohol & Drugs4 titlesmedian 66 · intenseMedian of all films: 33
Frightening / Intense4 titlesmedian 46 · moderateMedian of all films: 39

Severity 0–100 from the Content Guide. Categories with under 10 votes on a title are not counted. The band's colour is the severity of their median, named beside it.

Who does Chris Spencer work with?

People who share at least 2 of Chris Spencer's MovieCove titles, grouped by what they did on them; Kevin Hart shares the most, 5.

Directors

Writers

Actors

Composers, cinematographers and editors

Producers

Mixed roles