Mad Tv Stuart

Pint-sized performers seem to be on television everywhere. Young actors are complementing TV families and keeping audiences glued to the tube once a week with their angelic faces, magnetic charm, sharp comedic timing and side-splitting humor.

Bobbe J. Thompson, the little wise-cracking, dancing machine on "The Tracy Morgan Show," and Noah Gray-Cabey, the tiny piano virtuoso on "My Wife and Kids, are hands-down some of TV's favorite little stars with big talent.

The great news is that they aren't alone. There is a crop of youthful actors, and here are a few of the bright performers to watch.

BOBBE J. THOMPSON

Bobbe J. Thompson doesn't see him as a star. "Nobody star," the witty 8-year-old tells JET. "Stars are up in the sky. I'm just a normal person least that's what he thinks anyway. TV critics are crediting the diminutive bundle of energy as the driving force behind the success of NBC's "The Tracy Morgan Show? The second-grader says acting, believe it or not, is "all right, but it's not my thing. MY thing is rapping." Bow Wow is his favorite "kid rapper" and 50 Cent is his favorite "adult rapper. Bobbe, who says, I learned how to dance by watching Bow Wow," first tasted fame at the age of 5 when he won the Apollo Theatre Talented Tykes competition in May 2002. His rendition of Bow Wow's song Bow Wow (That's My Name) blew everyone away. He was then offered a role in the comedy My Baby's Daddy, where he made his film debut and had the opportunity to rap for the world on the Silver screen at the end of the film. Bobbe is the second-youngest of nine siblings. "My father used to sing, but he didn't use his talent," says the Kansas City, MO, native. "So that's why I have it and I'm using It." A dream come true for Bobbe is to meet 50 Cent. "I think I'll meat him by 8," Bobbe says with confidence. "He talks about stuff in life that I can relate to." Bobbe recently made an appearance in Janet Jackson's video, I Want You.

NOAH GRAY-CABEY

Noah Gray-Cabey, at 8 years old, is always being called a piano prodigy because he plays compositions by Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart and Johann Sebastian Bach with seemingly innate effort. Ask him if he thinks he's a child prodigy and he'll flatly say, "Not really." He continues, "What does that mean? Anyone can play the piano if they really work at it." Noah was discovered performing on "The Oprah Winfrey Show." He was then approached by ABC for the role of the neighbor Franklin on "My Wife and Kids." He didn't know a thing about acting. His parents had rid the family's household of a television until just last year! But young Noah has been comfortable in front of audiences. "I've been playing for awhile," he says of performing with his family group, the Gray-Cabey Family Ensemble. "I was with an orchestra and I was 4. Sometimes I get nervous, but I haven't in a long time." Noah doesn't read music or play by ear. His father teaches him through rote, a form of repetition. With such talent, you would think Noah looks forward to a future as an actor or pianist. "I want to be an astronaut, archeologist, paleontologist, veterinarian and a game warden," he rattles without losing a breath. "Oh, I also want to be a pilot and an engineer."

DEE DEE DAVIS

Dee Dee Davis plays Bryanna, or "Baby Girl," the niece of Bernie Mac on the popular FOX comedy "The Bernie Mac Show." "I like acting," she says. "It's really nice and fun because [Mac] plays jokes all the time." Dee Dee, 7, says acting can be hard "when you have to do stuff you want to do." One thing she doesn't have a problem doing is playing with her Barbie doll collection. "I have big boxes of them," she says with sheer delight. "I like Barbie because she's just hip and cool." Dee Dee wanted to show business to follow in the footsteps of her 13-year-old sister, Aree, who made her motion-picture debut in the Eddie Murphy comedy adventure The Haunted Mansion (JET, Jan. 5). Dee Dee also looks up to her mom, dad and "godbrother" Omari of the group B2K.

PARKER MCKENNA POSEY

Parker McKenna Posey is another young female actress who is winning hearts on television. Now 8, she knew she wanted to be an actress at only 2! The little English/Spanish bilingual dynamo was so serious about her craft that she landed her role on "My Wife and Kids" in 2001 after her first audition ever, Each week she is featured opposite Damon Wayans and Tisha Campbell-Martin on the popular family sitcom. Singer Macy Gray used Parker as her kid double in the video for the song Sweet Sweet Baby. A native of Los Angeles, Posey also once made a guest appearance on the TV drama "NYPD Blue."

MARC JOHN JEFFERIES

Marc John Jefferies should look very familiar. In 1995, at the age of 4, Marc made his movie debut in the lead role as Isaiah, opposite Oscar-winner Halle Berry in the movie Losing Isaiah. "I was advanced at that age," the 4-foot-5 actor says. "I was reading basic words at 3 1/2. Acting was something I liked to do. When it was time to work, it was time to work." Today, at 13, Marc is Still working. This time ne is co-starring on "The Tracy Morgan Show." And movie roles have still been plentiful, including appearances in Stuart Little 2, Brown Sugar and The Haunted Mansion. "If you want to be an actor, it's not hard to do," says Marc who has been featured in numerous national commercials. "Just set out and fulfill your dreams." TV guest appearances have included "Cosby," "Law & Order: Special Victims Unit," "The Practice," "Family Law," and "Third Watch." Look for Marc on Bill Cosby's animated children's series Fatherhood with Blair Underwood on Nickelodeon.

KYLE MASSEY

Kyle Massey is best own for his role as Cory Baxter, the pesky, precocious TV kid brother of Raven-Symone on the Disney Channel original comedy series "That's So Raven." Kyle's brother, Christopher, 14, also an actor, was the one initially auditioning for the role as Cory. But the eager Kyle immediately learned all the lines while observing Christopher rehearse. Kyle landed the job instead. "Some people say I'm naturally funny," says Kyle, who considers his "funny laugh" to be one of his skills. "I guess I am." A young golf pro in his own right, the 12-year-old Kyle has been playing the game since age 5. He holds several titles, including a first-place win in the National Minority Junior Golf Tournament. His dad, Michael Massey, is an avid golfer who plays with actor Anthony Anderson and taught actor Flex Alexander and NBA star Anfernee "Penny" Hardaway how to play golf. Kyle has made guest appearances on the TV dramas "The Practice" and "The District." He also appeared in the TV movies Passing Glory and Selma, Lord, Selma.

JEREMY SUAREZ

Jeremy Suarez, 10, portrays Jordan, the nephew of Bernie Mac on "The Bernie Mac Show." His first movie role was in a major Hollywood film. Jeremy played Tyson Tidwell, the son of the high-strung, "show-me-the-money" shouting football star Rod Tidwell, played by Cuba Gooding Jr. in the celebrated 1996 movie Jerry Maguire. The role earned Gooding an Oscar. Jeremy has also done voiceover work in the movies Brother Bear, Land Before Time VIII, Elmo in Grouchland and Treasure Planet. He will provide a voice in the upcoming movie version of Fat Albert. Jeremy's made TV guest appearances on "Chicago Hope," "Mad TV," "Sister, Sister," "The Wayans Bros.," and "Beverly Hills 90210."

KHAMANI GRIFFIN

Khamani Griffin stars on the UPN medy "All of Us," which is executive-produced by Hollywood power couple Will Smith and Jada Pinkett Smith. Khamani, now 5, started acting at age 3 by making appearances in commercials and print ads. His big movie break came last year as Eddie Murphy's son in the kid comedy Daddy Day Care. He lives in Northern California with his mother and brother. Devon Flournoy, who also is an actor.

ZACHARY WILLIAMS

Zachary Williams, 8, was such a hit when he made his feature film debut in last year's movie Honey as the little brother of rap star Lil' Romeo that Zachary was asked to play Lil' Romeo's kid brother on the rapper's Nickelodeon TV series "Romeo!" When Zachary was 3, he booked national modeling spots for Nike, Mattel, Macy's, Warner Brothers and Disney. A year later, at 4, he won his first national commercial. Zachary spends his spare time playing basketball. He has made guest appearances on "The Parkers," "Becker.'"Roswelr and "For Your Love."

B.J. MITCHELL

B.J. Mitchell las a starring role on the WB sitcom "Like Family." Born and raised in the suburbs of Georgia, 11-year-old B.J. got his start with print work and moved on to national commercials for McDonalds, Campbell Soup and Toys R Us. A sports enthusiast, he plays wide receiver on a local football team in Georgia. Video games, bowling and roller-blading are some of the activities that occupy his free time.

DAMANI ROBERTS

Damani Roberts plays Anthony Anderson's son on the WEt, series "All About the Andersons." Damani, 7, also made his movie debut in Eddie Murphy's Daddy Day Care. He has made guest appearances on "Charmed," "ER," "Buffy the Vampire Slayer," "Girlfriends," "My Wife and Kids," and "The King of Queens." Damani has done print work for Disney and Sean John and starred in national commercials for Kraft and Toys R Us.

COPYRIGHT 2004 Johnson Publishing Co.
COPYRIGHT 2004 Gale Group

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