Inside Rickey Smiley’s World: Birmingham Sanctuary, Dallas Retreat, and a Legacy of Laughter, Loss & Unbreakable Faith
From the gospel-infused hallways of his Birmingham home to the modern serenity of his Dallas apartment, Rickey Smiley has built more than a career—he’s crafted a life where humor heals, faith anchors, and family remains the ultimate punchline. The comedian, radio titan, and philanthropist opens the doors to his private world, revealing spaces that mirror his journey: grounded in Southern roots, elevated by hard-won success, and forever shaped by profound love and unimaginable loss.
From Birmingham Blocks to National Airwaves: The Making of a Morning King
Born Broderick Smiley on August 10, 1968, in Birmingham, Alabama, Rickey’s origin story is pure Deep South resilience. Raised by his mother, Karolita Smiley Lester, after losing his father young, he found refuge in church pews, neighborhood stoops, and the rhythm of gospel choirs. Laughter became his first language—not just to entertain, but to survive.
College at Alabama State University sharpened his gift. Joining Omega Psi Phi, he honed characters like the sharp-tongued church lady Bernice Jenkins in campus talent shows. By the ‘90s, he was a clean-comedy standout on Def Comedy Jam, Showtime at the Apollo, and Snaps. In 2004, BET tapped him to host ComicView—a platform he used to uplift rising Black comedians while making Bernice a cultural icon.
That same year, he launched The Rickey Smiley Morning Show on KBFB in Dallas. What started local exploded nationally in 2008 via Syndication One. Prank calls—“Buried Alive,” “She Pee’d,” Uncle Melvin—turned everyday absurdity into comedy gold. Today, the show is a morning ritual for millions, blending laughs, music, and real talk.
TV followed:
The Rickey Smiley Show (2012–2014, TV One) – a sitcom inspired by his life
Rickey Smiley For Real (2015–2018) – raw reality on fatherhood and faith
Regulars on Dish Nation, Real Housewives of Atlanta, and gospel award shows
Acting credits? From stealing scenes as a shady Santa in Friday After Next (2002) to First Sunday (2008) with Ice Cube. Every role: authentic, hilarious, him.
The Birmingham Sanctuary: Where Laughter Meets Legacy
Tucked in a quiet Birmingham neighborhood, Rickey’s 2,843 sq ft home—purchased around 2012 for ~$500K—isn’t flashy. It’s felt.
Inside:
Airy living room with 9-ft ceilings and soft earth tones
Open kitchen: granite counters, black stainless steel appliances, central island—built for Sunday dinners and spontaneous dance-offs
Master suite: spa bath with jetted tub, walk-in shower, walk-in closet
Three bedrooms, three full baths—all warm, intentional, lived in
Outside:
Tiled patio for cookouts
Mature trees for privacy
A backyard where Rickey finds jokes, peace, and prayer
“This house ain’t for show. It’s for living—laughing, crying, cooking, praying. That’s home.”
Dallas Retreat: Modern Hustle, Southern Soul
Between 4 a.m. radio alarms and TV shoots, Dallas became Rickey’s second base. His 2,534 sq ft apartment in the Hillcrest Villa community (built 1974, fully renovated) is sleek but soulful:
Open-concept living with gas fireplace and built-in bookcases lined with family photos and scripture
Light-drenched kitchen: white cabinets, glass tile backsplash, granite
Master suite with treetop views, second fireplace, double-sink bath
Downstairs flex room with Murphy bed—guest space, office, or prayer room
Steps from the community pool, gym, and tennis courts, it’s perfect for a man always on the move but never far from faith.
The Money: $3 Million Built on Mic, Ministry & Mentorship
Rickey’s empire is diversified and disciplined:
Income Stream
Est. Annual Earnings
Rickey Smiley Morning Show (syndicated radio)
$500K – $1M
Stand-up tours & appearances
$200K – $500K
TV (Dish Nation, reality, sitcoms)
$300K – $600K
Acting royalties (Friday After Next, etc.)
$100K – $300K
Net worth: ~$3 million—not billionaire flashy, but legacy rich.
The Heart: Philanthropy That Hits Home
Through the Rickey Smiley Foundation (501c3), he funds:
College tuition & school supplies
Holiday toy drives & free haircuts
“30 Days of Giving” mentorship campaigns
Recognized by President Barack Obama, he’s also supported:
Boys & Girls Clubs
March of Dimes
American Cancer Society
Sickle Cell Disease Association
AIC Girls School (Kenya) – personally pays tuition
Apendo Children’s Home (Kenya orphanage)
After Hurricane Harvey (2017), he raised thousands in a single day via social media.
The Pain: A Father’s Unimaginable Grief
Rickey and ex-wife Brenda Morris (married ~12 years, divorced 2003–2005) raised four kids: Brandon, D’Essence, Aaryn, Malik. Faith and humor were the glue.
Then tragedy:
July 2020: Daughter Aaryn shot in Houston road rage incident—survived
Jan 29, 2023: Son Brandon (32) found unresponsive in Birmingham—death ruled accidental
Rickey went live, raw and broken:
“I’m not okay. But God is still good. Lean on your people.”
He turned grief into guidance with his book: Sideshow: Living with Loss and Moving Forward with Faith – a memoir on sorrow, forgiveness, and divine strength.
The Truth
Rickey Smiley doesn’t just tell jokes—he lives them. His homes aren’t museums; they’re ministries. His wealth isn’t in banks; it’s in lives changed. His laughter isn’t escape; it’s oxygen.
From Birmingham porches to Dallas high-rises, from prank calls to prayer calls, one thing remains:
Rickey Smiley uses comedy to remind us—we’re never too broken to laugh, never too lost to love, and never alone when faith leads the way.
#RickeySmiley #FaithAndFunny #SouthernSoul
