Jermaine Fowler (born May 16, 1988) is an American actor, comedian, producer and writer. He is perhaps best known for his roles as King Akeem Joffer's long-lost son Prince Lavelle Junson in the 2021 romantic comedy film Coming 2 America and Franco Wicks on the CBS sitcom television series Superior Donuts.
Contents
Early life
The second oldest of four children, Fowler and his twin brother were born in Washington, D.C., and raised in Hyattsville, Maryland, where he graduated from Northwestern High School. Fowler dropped out of college at age 20 and moved to New York City. By day he job-searched and by night he performed at open mics in Times Square.
Career
2012–2015: Stand-up comedy
In 2012, he began touring the country performing at comedy clubs and colleges. In 2013, he was cast in MTV2's Guy Code and writing, producing, and starring in his own pilots. In 2014, he starred in Friends of the People which lasted two seasons on TruTV. In 2015, Fowler produced and starred in his debut comedy special Give 'Em Hell, Kid, which he licensed to Showtime.
2017–present: Superior Donuts and Crutch
In 2017, Fowler became an executive producer and star of the CBS sitcom Superior Donuts. The show was renewed for a second season on March 23, 2017 but was cancelled after two seasons. He also had a recurring role on HBO's Crashing.
On September 17, 2017, Fowler was the announcer of the 69th Annual Primetime Emmy Awards.
Fowler starred alongside Tracy Morgan in Crutch, which is about a Harlem widower whose empty nest plans get disrupted when his millennial son and free-spirited daughter move back in, forcing him to navigate new family dynamics and redefine his priorities. Fowler plays Jake Crutchfield, who is a newly graduated lawyer from Columbia Law. He had a job offer at a big law firm but decided to forgo that to work pro bono as a legal aid attorney.
Filmography
Film
Sorry to Bother You (2018) as Salvador
Buffaloed (2019) as Graham
The Opening Act (2020) as Ricky
Judas and the Black Messiah (2021) as Mark Clark
Coming 2 America (2021) as Lavelle Junson
Riverdance: The Animated Adventure (2021) as Benny (voice)
Am I OK? (2022) as Danny
The Drop (2022) as Mani
The Blackening (2022) as Clifton
Late Bloomers (2023) as Brick
First Time Female Director (2023) as Reginald
Ricky Stanicky (2024) as Wes
Sting (2024) as Frank
Don't Tell Mom the Babysitter's Dead (2024) as Gus
Terrestrial (2025) as Allen
Eenie Meanie (2025) as The Chaperone
Appofeniacs (2025) as Cedrick
Night Patrol (2025) as Xavier Carr
Faces of Death (2026) as Josh
Television
Guy Code (2012) as Himself
The Eric Andre Show (2012) as Principal
Funny or Die Presents (2013)
Lucas Bros. Moving Co. (2014–2015) as Eddie Murphy / Jaleel White (voice)
BoJack Horseman (2014–2019) as Pete Repeat (voice)
Comedy Underground with Dave Attell (2014) as Himself
Friends of the People (2014) as Various
Delores and Jermaine (2015) as Jermaine
Robot Chicken (2015) as Billy / Midnight Society Member (voice)
Give 'Em Hell, Kid (2016, standup comedy show) as Himself
Morris and the Cow (2016) as Morris (voice)
Crashing (2017–2019) as Russell
Family Guy (2017) as Kid (voice)
Lip Sync Battle (2017) as Himself
Superior Donuts (2017–2018) as Franco Wicks
RuPaul's Secret Celebrity Drag Race (2020) as Himself
Match Game (2020) as Himself
RuPaul's Drag Race: All Stars 6 (2021) as Himself
Tuca & Bertie (2022) as Bird Town Tour Guide (voice)