| Angela Means | |
| Birth Date: | November 19, 1963 |
| Birth Place: | Jamaica, Queens |
| Yearsactive: | 1989–present |
Angela Means (born November 19, 1963) is an American comedian, model, and actress. Her best-known works include Friday, in which she played the role of Felisha. 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).
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]
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).
Notably, she played the role of Felisha 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.
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.
Means later began a career as a vegan chef. In September 2017, she opened Jackfruit Cafe, a vegan soul food restaurant in Los Angeles.[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]
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]
| 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 |
| 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 |