Finesse Mitchell

Best known for his original character of "Starkeisha," an outspoken African-American woman, comic performer Finesse Mitchell made his own unique impact on NBC's long-running comedy staple, "Saturday Night Live" (1975- ).

Born June 12, 1972 and raised in Atlanta, Georgia, Mitchell enjoyed athletics in high school, particularly playing football. Upon graduation, he parlayed his talent into a position at the University of Miami, FL. Apart from his gridiron work, Mitchell also discovered an interest in and talent for comedy. Honing his performing skills, he began doing stand-up routines, taking first prize in a comedy contest in 1995. After a brief bit of pounding the pavement, he was spotted by scouts and made appearances on "Late Friday," (NBC, 2001-02) in 2001, followed by a hallowed spot on Comedy Central's stand-up show, "Premium Blend," in 2004.

Then - every comic's dream. In 2003, Mitchell was selected by producer Lorne Michaels to join his iconic show as a featured player. He graduated to full-fledged cast member at the beginning of the 2005 season. Viewers responded to both Starkeisha, the sassy, finger-waving "ghetto girl" who finds it necessary to make her presence and thoughts known at all times, as well as Mitchell's spoofing perspective on "Weekend Update," where he would mock bizarre African-American first names, including his own. On top of performing hilarious impressions of Kobe Bryant and O.J. Simpson, Mitchell did a memorable vocal and visual impression of Outkast's Andre 3000. A popular running joke had Mitchell continually mistaken for fellow African-American cast member, Kenan Thompson, in part because they both joined the show and were promoted at the same time.

With his high-profile success, Mitchell started his own company, Comedy Novas, which produced stand-up comedy acts. Although he divided most of his time between Los Angeles and New York City, Mitchell continued to perform on college campuses and in comedy clubs across the nation.