Christopher Tucker (born August 31, 1971) is an American stand-up comedian and actor. He made his debut in 1992 as astand-up performer on theHBO comedy seriesDef Comedy Jam, where he frequently appeared on the show during the 1990s. He made his feature film debut inHouse Party 3 in 1994 and gained greater recognition inFriday the following year. In 1997, he co-starred in the filmsThe Fifth Element andMoney Talks, and had a supporting role inQuentin Tarantino'sJackie Brown. Tucker gained international fame in the 2000s for playing Detective James Carter in theRush Hour film series.
Christopher Tucker was born inAtlanta on August 31, 1971,[1][2][3] the youngest son of Mary Louise (née Bryant) and Norris Tucker.[2] One of six children, Tucker learned early in life that humor had the power to draw attention to himself both at school and at home.[4] His father was an independent businessman who owned a janitorial service.[5][6] Tucker grew up in aPentecostalChristian household; his parents were members of theChurch of God in Christ during his childhood.[7]
Tucker began showcasing his comedy skills before an audience in local Atlanta comedy clubs until he decided to move to Los Angeles in 1990 to further pursue his stand-up comedy career.[9] In 1992, Tucker was a frequent performer on theHBO comedy seriesDef Comedy Jam.[10] He made his cinematic debut inHouse Party 3 in 1994 and gained greater film recognition alongsideN.W.A rapperIce Cube inFriday the following year. In 1997, he co-starred in the filmsThe Fifth Element andMoney Talks. He also had supporting roles inQuentin Tarantino'sJackie Brown and the spy comedyDouble-O-Soul, but the latter was never released.[11]
Along with Hong Kong actor and martial artistJackie Chan, Tucker starred as LAPD detective James Carter in the martial arts action comedy film seriesRush Hour. After the commercial success of thefirstRush Hour film, he held out for a $20 million salary forRush Hour 2, and was paid $25 million forRush Hour 3.[12] The latter was part of a $40 million two-movie contract withNew Line Cinema that also included an unnamed future film. He was also to receive 20% of the gross fromRush Hour 3.[13]
Tucker was announced in 2007 to star in the New Line drama filmMr. S: My Life with Frank Sinatra, directed by Brett Ratner and based on George Jacobs's autobiography of working asFrank Sinatra's valet during theRat Pack era of 1953–68.[15]
Tucker is expected to reprise his role in a fourthRush Hour film, which began production in November 2025 after U.S. PresidentDonald Trump reportedly pushed for its creation.[17][18]
In 2021, Tucker joined theHeal Los Angeles Foundation as an official ambassador. The Foundation is co-founded byMichael Jackson’s son, Prince Jackson, and their purpose is to help inner-city youth in Los Angeles by ending homelessness, child abuse, and hunger in the city.[21]
During the 2022Halloween Thriller Night hosted by the Heal Los Angeles Foundation, Tucker andSteve Harvey were honored and received the inaugural "Man in The Mirror" Award. The award is given to influential individuals using their platforms for good. Tucker accepted the award that was presented by Prince Jackson.[22]
Tucker participated in ProfessorHenry Louis Gates Jr.'s 2006PBS documentary on the genetic makeup of African Americans,African American Lives, that specifically focused on stories of Native American heritage in African-American communities. Tucker'sDNA test results showedAfrican, European, and "likely some Native American" ancestors.[28] Tucker's patrilineal ancestry was also traced back to theAmbundu ethnic group ofAngola and one line of his mother's to theBamileke ofCameroon.[29][30] He also traced his family tree back to the 1830s.[31] Tucker and Gates were shown visiting Angola, the birthplace of some of his ancestors.[32]
In 2014, Tucker settled a $2.5 million tax debt. A representative blamed "poor accounting and business management".[33] In November 2021, theIRS sued Tucker, seeking $9.6 million in back taxes.[34] Tucker settled the lawsuit for $3.6 million in 2023.[35]
Also in 2014, Tucker told an interviewer that he refrains from using harsh profanity in his performances due to his Christian faith.[36]
Tucker's connection to convicted child sex offenderJeffrey Epstein was covered in the 2020Netflix documentary seriesJeffrey Epstein: Filthy Rich. In 2002, Tucker traveled in Epstein's airplane alongsideBill Clinton andKevin Spacey for humanitarian purposes in combating theHIV/AIDS epidemic in Africa.[37] In November 2025, Tucker was confirmed to have been in Epstein's personal contact book.[38]
