Alfonso Ribeiro
Alfonso Ribeiro’s iconic multi-talented television personality danced its way into our hearts with as an actor, TV director, award-winning dancer, and Broadway star. Ribeiro has spent over 45 years leaving his unique mark on television, theater, and pop culture worldwide, having started his career at the age of 8!!
Ribeiro is currently in his 11th year of hosting “America’s Funniest Home Videos.” The beloved show is in its 36th season and continues its timeless appeal as the longest-running primetime-entertainment series on ABC.
Alfonso is also the host of “Dancing with the Stars” on ABC which recently finished its 34th Season. Season 35 is set to air in fall 2026. This past season set multiple records, including all-time highs in viewership and voting. His love of the ballroom and the series come through in his signature warm enthusiastic delivery each week. Ribeiro has been nominated for an NAACP Image Award in the Outstanding Host in a Reality/Reality Competition, Game Show or Variety (Series or Special) – Individual or Ensemble category. Additionally, Dancing with the Stars was nominated in the Outstanding Reality Program/Reality Competition Services/Game Show category.
Alfonso returned as host and is now an Executive Producer for Disney Parks Magical Christmas Day Parade. The 2024 special won a Daytime Emmy Award in the category of Outstanding Daytime Special. In 2025, the special was the #1 telecast on ABC on Christmas Day, beating out three different NBA Christmas special games, all which received extra promotion as NBA Christmas games are an annual tradition that have gone on for almost 80 years.
Ribeiro also hosted the ABC Saturday Morning wildlife series “Jack Hanna’s Passport” from Hearst Media Production Group.
Alfonso can next be seen as the annual host this year of A Capitol Fourth for the 46th annual edition of America’s national Independence Day celebration broadcasted live from the West Lawn of the U.S. Capitol on PBS.
His previous hosting work includes, Game Show Network’s six seasons of the hit “Catch 21”, for which his work garnered him two Emmy Nominations.
Ribeiro began his career as a child actor encouraged by his mother and father throughout. Most notably, he landed on Broadway playing the lead role in the Tony®-winning musical “The Tap Dance Kid.” As news of Ribeiro’s tap dancing and singing skills spread, he was offered a recording contract with Island Records, for whom he released several dance/pop singles, as well as his role in Michael Jackson’s 1984 “Billie Jean” Pepsi commercial.
Ribeiro moved next to series television in the long-running NBC sitcom “Silver Spoons,” making him a teen idol. After earning a theater arts education from Cal State University, Los Angeles, he was given the opportunity to choose a role on the established sitcom “A Different World” or a new pilot called “The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air.” Showing an adventurous streak, he chose the latter and created the lovable iconic character of “Carlton Banks” for which he is known for throughout the world.
Having grown up in front of the camera, he knew that opportunities existed behind the camera as well and became a sitcom director. His diverse resume includes popular series like “In the House,” “Shake It Up,” “Are We There Yet?,” “The Wannabes,” “Meet the Browns,” “Cuts,” “Eve,” “One on One” and “All of Us.”
Ribeiro continued to make good use of his dancing skills and his competitive nature in 2014 when he won the 19th season of “Dancing with the Stars.” After finishing in first place, he hosted the nationwide “Dancing with the Stars” live tour.
He resides in California with his wife and four children.