Kenny Buford, a gifted television and film writer, entered the world on April 2, 1965, in the captivating town of Wyandanch, nestled within the picturesque landscape of Long Island, New York, a place where he would spend his formative years and lay the foundation for his future endeavors.
The catalyst that sparked his passion for writing was an episode of the timeless sitcom "Sanford and Son", penned by the legendary Richard Pryor and the ingenious Paul Mooney, which left an indelible mark on his young mind, ultimately inspiring him to embark on a journey to pursue his dream of becoming a writer.
Kenny's academic odyssey commenced at Howard University, where he embarked upon a rigorous course of study in journalism, ultimately culminating in the impressive achievement of completing his degree in a remarkably swift three-year period. Following the successful culmination of his academic endeavors, Kenny returned to his hometown, where he secured a coveted position as a respected and valued member of Spike Lee's esteemed team at the illustrious 40 Acres and a Mule Filmworks production company. His inaugural foray into the world of film production occurred on the groundbreaking project "Do The Right Thing", where he served as a Production Assistant, laying the groundwork for a future replete with opportunities in the cinematic industry, thereby setting the stage for a storied career marked by innovative collaborations and creative triumphs.
Kenny's remarkable journey began on the set of Spike Lee's cinematic masterpiece "Do The Right Thing", where he forged an enduring bond with the multifaceted talent Martin Lawrence. As they navigated the early stages of their careers, they shared a profound understanding of the importance of reciprocity, vowing to extend a helping hand whenever the other's star began to ascend. This auspicious period marked the start of Kenny's two-year tenure at 40 Acres, a period of remarkable growth and development that laid the foundation for his future triumphs.
Subsequently, Kenny made a seamless transition to MTV, where he assumed the role of Production Assistant on the groundbreaking show "Yo! MTV Raps". This pioneering program, hosted by the esteemed trio of Ed Lover, Doctor Dre, and Fab 5 Freddy, would go on to become an integral part of the golden era of hip-hop. Under the watchful eye of these industry legends, Kenny played a vital role in the show's production, further cementing his reputation as a force to be reckoned with within the entertainment industry.
Kenny's remarkable journey began on the set of Spike Lee's cinematic masterpiece "Do The Right Thing", where he forged an enduring bond with the multifaceted talent Martin Lawrence. As they navigated the early stages of their careers, they shared a profound understanding of the importance of reciprocity, vowing to extend a helping hand whenever the other's star began to ascend. This auspicious period marked the start of Kenny's two-year tenure at 40 Acres, a period of remarkable growth and development that laid the foundation for his future triumphs.
Subsequently, Kenny made a seamless transition to MTV, where he assumed the role of Production Assistant on the groundbreaking show "Yo! MTV Raps". This pioneering program, hosted by the esteemed trio of Ed Lover, Doctor Dre, and Fab 5 Freddy, would go on to become an integral part of the golden era of hip-hop. Under the watchful eye of these industry legends, Kenny played a vital role in the show's production, further cementing his reputation as a force to be reckoned with within the entertainment industry.
As Kenny's career continued to flourish, he remained committed to paying it forward, honoring the promise he made to Martin Lawrence by lending a helping hand whenever the other's star began to rise. This selfless attitude, combined with his tireless work ethic and unwavering dedication to his craft, solidified Kenny's position as a respected and accomplished industry professional.
Kenny's tenure at Yo! was characterized by a distinctive quirk - he would frequently abandon his responsibilities during lunch breaks to create humorous scripts for Martin Lawrence, who was simultaneously hosting a groundbreaking comedy show on HBO, aptly titled "Def Comedy Jam". The undeniable rapport Kenny shared with Martin was so pronounced that it caught the attention of HBO President Chris Albrecht, who subsequently extended an offer to Kenny to join the writing team of Martin's self-titled sitcom, produced by HBO and airing on Fox, simply titled "Martin". Initially, Kenny took on the role of Staff Writer, but by the time the series came to a close, he had ascended through the ranks to assume the position of Co-Executive Producer, a testament to his remarkable growth and development as a writer.
Kenny, a highly skilled and distinguished figure, made a substantial impact on the realm of entertainment throughout his tenure on the widely popular and critically acclaimed sitcom "Martin".
Kenny, a remarkably gifted television writer, persistently expanded upon his already impressive professional portfolio subsequent to the conclusion of the extremely popular and widely acclaimed sitcom "Martin" in April 1997.
Kenny, a talented individual, re-established his connection with MTV in the year 1999, taking on the esteemed role of Head Writer for the groundbreaking television program "The Lyricist Lounge Show".
During this period, he simultaneously worked on the popular UPN sitcom "One On One", effectively demonstrating his remarkable versatility and capacity to seamlessly adapt to varying writing styles and formats.
Kenny's creative endeavors extended beyond the realm of television, as he was actively involved in the development of two Al Haymon-produced sketch comedy pilots, which, regrettably, failed to materialize and broadcast to the public.
Furthermore, Kenny seized the opportunity to craft a made-for-TV-movie, aptly titled "Time To Shine", for Paramount Pictures, only for it to ultimately remain in the conceptual phase, never coming to fruition.
Kenny's creative endeavors in the same calendar year were multifaceted, as he leveraged his expertise to meticulously refine the script for the cannabis-themed film "How High", which boasted an impressive cast, including Method Man and Redman, with whom he shared a long-standing rapport.
As a natural extension of their collaborative relationship, Kenny was entrusted with infusing his unique perspective into the sex-themed project, "Method Man and Redman's How To Throw a Party at the Playboy Mansion", an indulgent experience that took place at the iconic Playboy Mansion.
This indulgent experience at the Playboy Mansion soon culminated in an exciting new opportunity, as Method and Red were approached to develop a sitcom for Fox, mirroring the same name, and Kenny was subsequently invited to join the team as Co-Producer.
Kenny, a highly skilled and accomplished creative force, collaborated with the multifaceted entertainer Nick Cannon to develop the innovative and influential television program "Wild 'N Out", taking on the pivotal roles of writer and consultant for its second and third seasons.
Subsequent to this notable contribution, Kenny went on to play a significant part in the writing process for several esteemed and renowned award shows, including the BET Awards, a premier celebration of outstanding achievements in the music industry, the BET Hip Hop Awards, a prestigious event honoring the best in hip hop music, the Centric Comedy All-Stars Show, a showcase of top comedic talent, and the Soul Train Awards, a legendary ceremony recognizing excellence in music, television, and film.
Notable among Kenny's diverse professional endeavors is his significant contribution to the conceptualization and development of pilot projects for prominent figures within the entertainment industry. This impressive portfolio encompasses collaborations with a range of talented individuals, including the esteemed actress Malinda Williams, the accomplished actor Mekhi Phifer, and the multifaceted James Davis, a talented actor and comedian whose impressive repertoire of skills includes both dramatic and comedic performances.
