Angela Means
Born (1963-11-19) November 19, 1963
Jamaica, Queens
Occupations
  • Actress
  • Comedian
  • Model
Years active1989–present

Angela Means (born November 19, 1963) is an American former comedian, model, and actress. Her best-known works include Friday, in which she played the role of Felicia. She gained popularity when a phrase from the film "Bye, Felicia" gained media coverage and became a meme. She also starred in House Party 3 (1994) and Cousin Skeeter (1998).

Early life

Means was born November 19, 1963, to Patricia Ann Bates and Donald Hurwitz in Jamaica, Queens. She grew up on a farm near Ann Arbor, Michigan.[1]

She is Black and Jewish.

Career

Acting and modeling

Means began her modeling and acting career at the age of 19. Her first acting gigs were in In Living Color (1989–1994), Hangin' with Mr. Cooper (1992–1997), and Bad Girls of Def (1993–94).[2] She then played a lead role in House Party 3 (1994) and appeared in The Cherokee Kid (1996–97). She was a series regular on Cousin Skeeter (1998–2001) and New Kids on the Planet (1999–2000).[2]

Notably, she played the role of Felicia in the 1995 film Friday, which garnered internet attention much later for the phrase "Bye, Felicia".[3][4] Despite the popularity of her role in Friday, Means claimed she experienced public harassment, including being referred to by some as a "filthy b***h".[5][6]

She walked the runway for designers like Bob Mackie and Bill Blass as a fashion model.

Comedy

Means began performing stand-up comedy at the age of 26, traveled with Bernie Mac and Chris Rock, and joined Def Comedy Jam's nationwide tour.

Chef

Means later began a career as a vegan chef. In September 2017, she opened Jackfruit Cafe, a vegan soul food restaurant in Los Angeles.[1][7]

As the founder and CEO of Jackfruit Cafe, Means has appeared on KTLA, FOX11, "Good Morning LA," and The Tammi Mac Show on Fox Soul. On a November 2019 episode of The Tammy Mac Late Show, she was asked to discuss the benefits of a vegan diet with American basketball player John Salley.

Jackfruit Cafe was named to Eater LA's "Essential" List. In March 2020, VegNews named her "Best of LA".

Means has written the following vegan cookbooks: 85 Vegan Recipes, Seven Sinner and the Angel Who Loved Them.

Means closed her Los Angeles cafe and moved to Tahoka, Texas in September 2023. She is re-opening her Jackfruit Cafe in the small West Texas farming community 30 miles south of Lubbock. Means made the move from LA to Tahoka because she got “a little tired of Los Angeles” due to the cost of living and wanted to find something “different.” She moved to Tahoka and has been “living her best life” with her animals. [8]

Personal life

Means has a son, Brad Kaaya, who was a quarterback at the University of Miami[9] and was drafted by the Detroit Lions.[10]

Means grew up vegetarian and later became vegan.[11]

Filmography

Film

Year Title Role Notes
1994 House Party 3 Veda Pratt
1995 Friday Felisha
1996 The Cherokee Kid Harriet TV movie
1997 Sprung Sista #2
1999 A Luv Tale Tammy
2008 Customer Service Sucks Frustrated Wife Short

Television

Year Title Role Notes
1992 Def Comedy Jam Herself Episode: "Episode #2.2"
1992-94 In Living Color Herself Recurring Cast: Season 4, Guest: Season 5
1993 It's Showtime at the Apollo Herself Episode: "Episode #6.15"
Hangin' with Mr. Cooper Officer Houston Episode: "Valentine's Day Massacre"
1998-02 Cousin Skeeter Vanessa Walker Main Cast

References

  1. 1 2 "Did You Know Felisha From 'Friday' Owns And Runs A Vegan Cafe?". Blavity. Archived from the original on 2022-12-06. Retrieved 2023-10-19.
  2. 1 2 "Angela Means". Turner Classic Movies. Archived from the original on 2023-10-19. Retrieved 2023-10-19.
  3. ↑ Mackie, Drew (2015-04-26). "Friday Turns 20: The Origin of Bye, Felicia". People. Archived from the original on 2022-11-17. Retrieved 2023-10-19.
  4. ↑ Berkowitz, Joe (2015-08-12). "The Inside Story Of How The Ultimate "Bye, Felicia" Got In "Straight Outta Compton"". Fast Company. Archived from the original on 2019-01-30. Retrieved 2023-10-19.
  5. ↑ Mwai, Kui (2022-08-16). "Angela Means, Who Played Felicia In 'Friday,' Says In Emotional Interview That People Call Her A 'Dirty B***h'". Yahoo! News. Archived from the original on 2022-12-08. Retrieved 2023-10-19.
  6. ↑ Comedy Hype (2022-08-15). "Angela Means Cries Over 'Felicia' Friday Role: "Even Today People Say "Bye You Dirty B*tch"". YouTube. Retrieved 2023-10-19.
  7. ↑ Cummings, Moriba (2018-01-06). "You'll Never Guess Where 'Felisha' From 'Friday' Works Now". BET. Archived from the original on 2023-10-19. Retrieved 2023-10-19.
  8. ↑ https://www.everythinglubbock.com/news/local-news/friday-actress-set-to-open-tahoka-restaurant-day-after-thanksgiving/
  9. ↑ "Bye, Felicia! Brad Kaaya, Miami QB, enjoys mom's phrase trending again 20 years later". Los Angeles Daily News. 21 July 2014. Archived from the original on 2 April 2023. Retrieved 19 October 2023.
  10. ↑ Twentyman, Tim (April 29, 2017). "Detroit Lions draft defensive lineman Jeremiah Ledbetter". Detroit Lions. Archived from the original on April 30, 2017. Retrieved April 29, 2017.
  11. ↑ Scott, Sydney (2020-10-24). "Felicia From 'Friday' Is Living Her Best Life As A Vegan Cafe Owner". Essence. Archived from the original on 2023-03-26. Retrieved 2023-10-19.
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