Today marks 22-years since the release of the classic film “Friday.” The film was written by Ice Cube and DJ Pooh, and directed by F. Gary Gray. The success of the film would later lead to two additional films, “Next Friday” (2000) and “Friday After Next (2002).
It’s been years since the film’s release and the cast is still out here expanding to different levels of success.
Ice Cube not only served as a writer for the film, but he also starred as the main character Craig. Following the success of the film, he starred in the two follow-up films, and also multiple other films that have granted him a lengthy acting resume. Aside from being a movie star, he has also continued to balance his music career, releasing five albums since the movies 1995 release. Earlier this year he announced his Big 3 basketball league which will feature some of the NBA’s most well-known players.
Another main character from the film is none other than Smokey, who was played by Chris Tucker. Following the success of the film he would go on to get more starring roles, but he is best known for starring opposite Jackie Chan in the “Rush Hour” franchise. Back in 2015, he released his stand-up special on Netflix. For years there have been rumors of one more “Friday” film, and fans have been looking for him to rejoin the cast, but as of now, it looks like that will not be happening.
Nia long starred in the film as Craig’s neighborhood crush Debbie, and later she would go on to add more iconic roles to her resume. Some other films she has been known for throughout the years include, “Love Jones,” Soul Food,” “The Best Man,” and she would reunite with Ice Cube for “Are We There Yet?” and “Are We Done Yet?” She most recently landed a role on the Fox hit series, “Empire.”
John Witherspoon, who played Craig’s father, Willie Jones, went on to reprise his role in the films sequel’s. He would also go on to star in other films, but he has had a pretty extensive career in television as well. Dating back to the 1970’s he has been a part of some pretty memorable shows, but not as memorable as the 1990’s sitcom, “The Wayans Bros.” He also served as the voice of Granddad for the Adult Swim cartoon, “The Boondocks.” Recently during a radio interview, Witherspoon announced that another “Friday” movie was definitely in the works.
Like many of the cast members, Paula Jai Parker, who portrayed Craig’s jealous girlfriend Joi, would go on to star in other films following the 1995 box office hit. She also had a pretty extensive role on Disney Channel as the voice of Trudy Proud in the popular cartoon, “The Proud Family.” In 2014 she joined the cast of the TV One reality show, “Hollywood Divas,” which showed her getting back out there on the Hollywood scene when it came to her acting career.
The term “Bye Felicia,” has to be one of the most used phrases in 2017, and as we all know it stemmed from one of the most famous scenes from the 1995 film. Angela Means, who played Crag’s annoying neighbor and Debbie’s sister, went on to star in a few more roles. Prior to her role in “Friday,” many may have recognized her as Veda, Play’s fiancée in the 1994 film, “House Party 3.” Back in 2015 for the 20th anniversary of the film she talked to Vibe about the launch of her organization, “Angela’s Kids,” which helped focused on educating people on health and wellness and early child development.
Tommy Lister played the character we’ve all grown to know as Deebo. He would go on to star in more than 50 films, which included the film’s sequel, “Next Friday,” his last film being in 2016 in the children’s film “Zootopia.”
22-years after the film’s release and Kathleen Bradley, also known as Mrs. Parker is still turning heads. Recently she posted a photo with her former cast mate, Angela Means to prove that the saying, “black don’t crack,” is definitely real. Following the film’s success, she would remain in the public by starring in more films and also taking on other roles such as being a motivational speaker, talk show host, and author.
DJ Pooh who helped co-write the script for “Friday” played the role of Red and he has gone on to write some more favorites, which include the films “3 Strikes,” starring Brian Hooks, David Alan Grier, and Fazion Love. As well as, the 2001 film, “The Wash,” starring Dr. Dre and Snoop Dogg. He has also been credited as a writer for the popular video game, “Grand Theft Auto: San Andreas.”
“What’s Up Big Perm?…I mean Big Worm!” Everyone remembers the neighborhood drug dealer Big Worm, and 22-years later, Fazion Love, who portrayed the iconic role, is still in the acting game. Like the rest of the cast, he went on to have a successful career in Hollywood and solidified a few other memorable characters on his resume. Including Officer Peters in “The Players Club,” and Luther Washington in “The Fighting Temptations.” Earlier this year he made headlines after he was seen on video getting into an altercation with an airport employee. Nonetheless, more than 20 years in the game and he is still out here working.
Roommates, what is your favorite scene from this classic film?
