Alfonso Ribeiro
Alfonso Ribeiro’s iconic television personality danced its way into our hearts with his talents as an actor, TV director, award-winning dancer and Broadway star. Ribeiro has spent over 45 years leaving his unique mark on television, theater and pop culture worldwide, having started his career at age 8.
Ribeiro is currently hosting his 11th season of “America’s Funniest Home Videos,” currently in its 36th season and continuing to demonstrate its timeless appeal as the longest-running series on ABC. He also hosts “Dancing with the Stars” on ABC for its 34th season. This past season set multiple records, including all-time highs in viewership and voting. His love of the ballroom and the series comes through in his signature warm enthusiastic delivery each week.
Ribeiro recently hosted the Saturday morning wildlife series “Jack Hanna’s Passport” from Hearst Media Production Group. He returned as the host earlier this year of “A Capitol Fourth” for the 45th annual edition of America’s national Independence Day celebration broadcasted live from the West Lawn of the U.S. Capitol on PBS. He previously hosted Game Show Network’s six seasons of the hit “Catch 21,” for which his work garnered him two Emmy nominations.
Encouraged by his mother and father, Ribeiro began his career as a child actor. Most notably, he landed on Broadway playing the lead role in the Tony® Award-winning musical “The Tap Dance Kid.” As news of Ribeiro’s tap dancing and singing skills spread, he was offered a recording contract with Island Records, for whom he released several dance/pop singles, as well as his role in Michael Jackson’s 1984 “Billie Jean” Pepsi commercial.
Ribeiro moved next to series television in the long-running NBC sitcom “Silver Spoons,” making him a teen idol. After earning a theater arts education from Cal State University, Los Angeles, he was given the opportunity to choose a role on the established sitcom “A Different World” or a new pilot called “The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air.” Showing an adventurous streak, he chose the latter and created the lovable iconic character of Carlton Banks for which he is known for throughout the world.
Having grown up in front of the camera, he knew that opportunities existed behind the camera as well and became a sitcom director. His diverse resume includes popular series like “In the House,” “Shake It Up,” “Are We There Yet?,” “The Wannabes,” “Meet the Browns,” “Cuts,” “Eve,” “One on One” and “All of Us.”
Ribeiro continued to make good use of his dancing skills and his competitive nature in 2014 when he won the 19th season of “Dancing with the Stars.” After finishing in first place, he hosted the nationwide “Dancing with the Stars” live tour.
He resides in California with his wife and four children.
PERSONAL INFORMATION
HOMETOWN: New York, New York
BIRTHDATE: September 21
