Orlando Jones
Who Orlando Jones is
Orlando Jones is an American stand-up comedian, actor and writer from Mobile, Alabama, who started as a writer on NBC's A Different World and was one of the original cast members of the sketch series MADtv. He became widely known as the 7 Up spokesman from 1999 to 2002 and has acted in films including Office Space, The Replacements, Evolution and Drumline and in series including Sleepy Hollow, American Gods, as Mr. Nancy, and Abbott Elementary. His Comedy Central stand-up special was filmed in South Africa, and his live show mixes storytelling with political and cultural commentary.
At a glance
- Born
- 1968
- Came up through
- MADtv
- On screen
- A Different World, MADtv, The Orlando Jones Show and 3 more
- Next on stage
- 30 October 2026 — Denver Improv, Denver, CO
- Official site
- orlandojones.com ↗
On stage
- Friday 30 October 2026, 7:30 PM at Denver Improv, Denver, CO · the listing ↗
- Saturday 31 October 2026, 6:30 PM at Denver Improv, Denver, CO · the listing ↗
These nights have gone by — the Comedy Calendar has what is next.
Lineups belong to the rooms and the comedians, and can change; each listing has the last word. Their nights on the Comedy Calendar →
Specials, shows and podcasts
On screen
- A Different World writer, NBC
- MADtv original cast member, seasons 1–2, 1995–1997
- The Orlando Jones Show host, FX, 2003
- Sleepy Hollow Captain Frank Irving, Fox, 2013–2015
- American Gods Mr. Nancy, Starz, 2017–2019
- Abbott Elementary Martin Eddie, 2022–2025
Where they got their start
- MADtv an original cast member and founding writer, 1995–1997
Came up the same way
Other comedians in SUCDb who came through MADtv:
Comedians like Orlando Jones
Each linked to them by something on the record — a stage they both came through, a bill, a show, a style or a home town.
- Aries Spears also came through MADtv
- Amir K also came through MADtv
- Anjelah Johnson-Reyes also came through MADtv
- Bobby Lee also came through MADtv
- Bryan Callen also came through MADtv
- Matt Braunger also came through MADtv
- Pablo Francisco also came through MADtv
- Adam Ray also came through MADtv
Career timeline
- 1968Born
- 1995MADtv (original cast member, seasons 1–2, 1995–1997) On screen
- 2003The Orlando Jones Show (host, FX, 2003) On screen
- 2013Sleepy Hollow (Captain Frank Irving, Fox, 2013–2015) On screen
- 2017American Gods (Mr. Nancy, Starz, 2017–2019) On screen
- 2022Abbott Elementary (Martin Eddie, 2022–2025) On screen
Questions about Orlando Jones
Where is Orlando Jones performing next?
Friday 30 October 2026, 7:30 PM at Denver Improv, Denver, CO, then 1 more date on D.O.C.'s Comedy Calendar. Each show's own listing has the last word.
What TV shows and films are they in?
A Different World, MADtv, The Orlando Jones Show, Sleepy Hollow, American Gods and Abbott Elementary.
Where did they get their start?
MADtv (an original cast member and founding writer).
When were they born?
In 1968.
Who are some comedians like them?
Aries Spears (also came through MADtv), Amir K (also came through MADtv), Anjelah Johnson-Reyes (also came through MADtv), Bobby Lee (also came through MADtv) and Bryan Callen (also came through MADtv).
The full SUCDb record
The full record — the career in order, the specials and credits, and the sources for each — is on SUCDb, with a button to add them to your D.O.C., your twelve.
Sources
- Wikipedia — Orlando Jones ↗ American stand-up comedian and actor, born 10 April 1968 in Mobile, Alabama; writer on A Different World; original MADtv cast member; 7 Up spokesman…
- The Improv (Denver) — Orlando Jones ↗ Shows on 30 and 31 October 2026; founding writer and original cast member of MADtv; Comedy Central special filmed in South Africa; live show of storytelling…
- Orlando Jones — official site ↗ His own website
Updated 5 October 2026 · the record checked 29 September 2026