Wanda Sykes will be honored with the Writers Guild of America East’s Herb Sargent Award at the 76th annual Writers Guild Awards, set for April 14 at the Edison Ballroom in New York.
Sykes, the long-established comedy multihyphenate, is the co-creator, co-showrunner and star of the Netflix family comedy series “The Upshaws,” which is heading into its sixth season later this year. She’s also coming off a busy year of guest shots (“The Other Two,” “History of the World: Part II”) and last year’s successful Netflix standup special “Wanda Sykes: I’m an Entertainer.” In 2022, she was one of three hosts (with Regina Hall and Amy Schumer) of ABC’s Academy Awards telecast.
“Wanda Sykes is a master storyteller with a heart of gold. Her singular voice as a writer, performer, producer and mentor has given us decades worth of laughter and joy,” said Lisa Takeuchi Cullen, president of WGA East. “Even while wearing all of these hats, Wanda has prioritized scouting and mentoring the next generation of comedy writers. She’s a true champion of diversity, and also of labor — as anyone who saw her leading the picket lines in New York City last summer would attest. We’re so proud to have Wanda as a Writers Guild member, and to present her with this award.”
The WGA East and its WGA West counterpart traditionally hold simultaneous Writers Guild Award ceremonies on both coasts to bestow its annual laurels on WGA-covered film, TV, radio and digital projects. This year, the WGA kudos are two months later than usual. Both WGA East and West opted for a delay on the heels of last year’s five-month strike against Hollywood’s major studios that ended in late September.
Sykes has been a WGA member since 1997. Her career spans more than 30 years across TV, film, standup comedy and other stage work.
The Herb Sargent Award for Comedy Excellence is given to a WGA East member who embodies the spirit, kindness, and dedication to mentorship of the late comedian Herb Sargent. Sargent served as president of the WGA East for 14 years and was a writer and producer on “Saturday Night Live” for more than two decades.
