Comedian Kevin “KevOnStage” Fredricks’ choice to pursue his passion, even after it resulted in him losing his job, has been very successful. After co-hosting the prestigious 2026 American Black Film Festival Honors, the well-known comedian shared his motivational journey on X (formerly Twitter).
He highlighted the dramatic and successful change from his corporate job to his career in the entertainment industry by saying, “I used to work at the bank. Now look at me.”
Following mixed reactions to his initial post, which some interpreted as an attack on 9-to-5 employment, he posted a clarification.
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He emphasized his respect for full-time work, acknowledging the inherent stability it offers, such as financial security, healthcare benefits, 401(k) plans, and paid holidays. However, he then added a personal context to his viewpoint: he was actually fired from his bank job for openly expressing his aspiration to transition into the entertainment industry.
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“There is nothing wrong with working at the bank 9-to-5. I specifically got fired from that bank for specifically saying I want to be an entertainer. Now that wasn’t wise of me. I know that now,” he revealed in the video shared on X.
“I kind of knew it when I told my wife, ‘They asked me what my dreams were at a one-on-one with my area retail lead manager. And I said my dream was to be an entertainer.’ And she asked me, ‘Well, what are you doing working here?’ And I said, ‘Well, I’m just working here until I make it.’ That was on a Friday. On Monday, I was put on a performance improvement plan. 90 days from that Monday, I got fired … So when I say I used to work at the bank, I’m talking to old Kev who got fired for specifically dreaming to become an entertainer,” he continued.
Fredricks is currently realizing those aspirations. His comedy earnings have consistently increased, beginning at $30 for his initial show and quickly rising to $50, $100, and $500, as previously reported by AfroTech.
He also co-founded a comedy group called The Playmakers with his brother and a friend. The group started by performing plays for Christian audiences in churches in Seattle, WA, before transitioning to producing skits on YouTube.
According to Forbes, KevOnStage, an NAACP Image Award–winning comedian, now boasts over 4 million followers across his social media platforms.
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He also launched KevOnStage Studios, a broadcast media production and distribution company based in Los Angeles, California. According to its LinkedIn profile, the studio serves as a “home for content creators outside of traditional Hollywood.”
Fredricks’ projects, which are available on Tubi, a free, ad-supported streaming service offering many digital-first creator series, include the comedy series “Safe Space,” designed to provide relief for struggling couples, as shared with AfroTech. His work also features “Bald Brothers,” a freestyle comedy show that launched in January 2026.
KevOnStage is also the creator of the BET+ comedy series “Churchy,” which he personally funded, according to Forbes. Furthermore, he hosts the podcast “Not My Best Moment,” a collaboration with iHeartPodcasts and Unanimous Media. Notable guests on the podcast include Issa Rae, Tabitha Brown, Keith Lee, and Wale.
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