'When I walked off that stage,” she said in 2011 about the life-changing event, “I had all the intentions of being the next Eddie Murphy.' Sufficiently emboldened, she ditched her old ideas about pursuing careers in engineering and law and moved to L.A. In 1987, unbeknownst to her, a friend entered Jones in a 'Funniest Person on Campus' competition, which Jones ended up going through with - and winning. Thanks to a basketball scholarship, Jones went to Chapman University in Orange, California, before transferring to Colorado State. Early Yearsīorn in Memphis, Jones moved with her family to Los Angeles when her dad became an engineer for the radio station KJLH, owned by none other than Stevie Wonder. So, for everyone who’s only becoming familiar with Jones now, here’s her long road to Ghostbusters. Comedian Leslie Jones (aka Big Les) showcases her hysterically funny stand-up in her first ever comedy video. But while Jones - who quickly established herself as an SNL standout due to her brash sensibility, humor, and forceful presence (certainly helped by her six-foot stature) - may be new to the wider public, she’s actually a comedy veteran.

The 47-year-old was promoted this year to featured player, making her the oldest cast member to ever get hired for that particular job, edging out Michael McKean ( This Is Spinal Tap, Best in Show), who was hired at age 46 in 1994.įurthermore, Jones's addition marks the first time two African-American women have been part of the ensemble. The latter star might be the most surprising choice - she only made her first appearance on SNL last May, when she was working there as a writer, not a cast member.

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