ATLANTA — Chris Tucker has spent decades making audiences laugh on the big screen, but this weekend the Decatur native is focusing on giving back to the community that helped shape him.
The actor and comedian is celebrating the 10th anniversary of the Chris Tucker Foundation with his annual celebrity golf tournament, bringing together celebrities, community leaders and supporters to raise money for causes across metro Atlanta.
[DOWNLOAD:Free WSB-TV News app for alerts as news breaks]
Tucker, who grew up in Decatur and attended Columbia High School, says his upbringing played a major role in who he became.
“I’m from Decatur, Georgia. I went to Columbia High School and I’m the youngest of six kids,” Tucker said. “So we always had something going on in the house.”
Tucker rose from stand-up comedy to international fame through films such as “Friday” and the “Rush Hour” franchise. He said he was inspired by comedy legends Eddie Murphy and Richard Pryor and moved to California determined to follow a similar path.
“I always wanted to eventually act, do standup comedy and then act like Eddie Murphy did,” Tucker said. “I grew up going to the movies watching Eddie Murphy and Richard Pryor. I always wanted to follow their route.”
TRENDING STORIES:
- Mom hospitalized, daughter wounded after stabbing outside metro Atlanta Chick-fil-A
- ‘Blind Side’ actor hasn’t spoken to ex-wife since stroke, learning she’s already married
- Atlanta Mayor Andre Dickens blasts ‘wrong choices’ by DNC. Read the scathing letter
While Hollywood brought him success, Tucker said his foundation has become one of his most meaningful accomplishments.
The foundation was inspired by his late mother, who encouraged him to use his success to help others.
“The movie stuff is great, but this foundation...” Tucker said. “My mama saw me traveling all over the world and told me, ‘Start your own foundation too. You can do more and help more people.’ And I did.”
Over the past decade, the foundation has funded scholarships, supported students and helped provide assistance through community and church outreach programs.
[SIGN UP:WSB-TV Daily Headlines Newsletter]
“We do homeless ministry through the church. We do scholarships with schools. Morehouse College was sponsored with one of the golf students. We do so much,” Tucker said.
The annual golf tournament has become a centerpiece fundraiser, helping the organization continue its mission of creating opportunities for young people and supporting those in need.
As Tucker celebrates the foundation’s milestone anniversary, fans are still eager to know what’s next for the actor on the entertainment front.
Tucker says he is developing and producing new projects and confirmed conversations are underway about potential returns to two of his most iconic franchises.
“I’m producing a lot of my own stuff, writing a lot of my own stuff,” Tucker said. “And also, yes, we have ‘Rush Hour.’ We’re talking about that. We’re talking about another ‘Friday.’ So we’ll see if those happen.”
For now, Tucker’s focus remains on giving back to the Atlanta community, using his platform to make a difference both on and off the screen.
©2026 Cox Media Group
