Alfonso Ribeiro (Carlton Banks)

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Posted by videodemon

26-30 year old man
65 experience groups and 102 stories

Alfonso Ribeiro was a fixture as a child TV star in the 1980s and 1990s. His most famous role, as spoiled rich kid Carlton Banks in The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air brought him accolades and tons of laughs-- mostly AT him, not with him.

Not only did he serve as the butt of star Will Smith's jokes (which often targeted Ribeiro's diminutive height), but his physical mannerisms provided pure comedy of their own-- most notably the infamous "Carlton Dance." The Carlton Dance was a ridiculous yet oddly enchanting dance, usually to Tom Jones' "It's not Unusual". Since actions speak louder than words, check out this compilation. After you dry your tears, keep reading for more on Alfonso and his dancing skills...

Alfonso is actually an incredibly talented dancer, having started young-- even having a professional dance video he was hawking when he was eight. No, we're not making this up, check out the ad for Breaking and Poppin' (and don't miss the fold-out breakboard):

Alfonso even danced with Michael Jackson, and was rumored to have broken his neck during the commercial (!)-- obviously untrue but built up his legend nonetheless:

None of Alfonso's many on-screen efforts since have matched his success with Fresh Prince, but he will have a fond spot in most of our minds of a lovable, self-deprecating guy.

Alfonso will be hosting his first game show on Game Show Network's upcoming original Catch-21, priemering on July 21, 2008. In his personal life he is divorced with one child.

Bonus: The last Dance of Fresh Prince (Carlton and Will)

Credits:

http://wikipedia.org/wiki/Alfonso_Ribeiro

Double Bonus for reading this far! The other leading ridiculous dance in TV history-- Elaine Benes' from Seinfeld...

digg_url = 'http://digg.com/television/The_Carlton_Banks_Dance';

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16 Comments (add your own)

  1. just4play - 36-40 years old - female

    Posted by just4play on Jul 3rd, 2008 at 12:07AM

    wow the michael jackson ad! brilliant! great laughs and dancing..thankyou.

    Rate (Up | Down) 1 | Flag

  2. gigi42 - 41-45 years old

    Posted by gigi42 on Jul 24th, 2008 at 11:00AM

    Thank-you so much for this.....I also needed a laugh today!!! The videos and remembering Alfonso was fun.
    Thanks!

    Rate (Up | Down) 1 | Flag

  3. aloneat50 - 51-55 years old - female

    Posted by aloneat50 on Jul 24th, 2008 at 6:48PM

    Fabulous, I caught myself smiling thru the entire viewing, lolll, great.....

    Rate (Up | Down) 1 | Flag

  4. heressammie - 16-17 years old - female

    Posted by heressammie on Jul 24th, 2008 at 9:10PM

    pretty sweet man!! yeah...we short kids gotta stick togedda!!!

    Rate (Up | Down) 1 | Flag

  5. MissGuided - 36-40 years old - female

    Posted by MissGuided on Jul 24th, 2008 at 9:44PM

    OMG that is too funny!!!

    Rate (Up | Down) 1 | Flag

  6. codependent - 46-50 years old

    Posted by codependent on Jul 24th, 2008 at 9:54PM

    I had forgotten how funny that was. He is a good dancer, you can tell he really enjoys himself. I am always looking for a laugh. Thanks
    codependant on laughs

    Rate (Up | Down) 1 | Flag

  7. KIK - 41-45 years old - male

    Posted by KIK on Jul 24th, 2008 at 9:54PM

    I used to watch prince from ....
    It was always so funny to watch it. Thanks

    Rate (Up | Down) 1 | Flag

  8. Aristartle - 46-50 years old - female

    Posted by Aristartle on Jul 24th, 2008 at 11:04PM

    This was me and my oldest child's favorite show in the 80s. You can tell that he has rythym even while he's clowning around - he's also a very talented singer. That was fun, thanks! Bravo Alfonso!

    Rate (Up | Down) 1 | Flag

  9. NebulaNoxx - 51-55 years old - female

    Posted by NebulaNoxx on Jul 25th, 2008 at 1:06AM

    I may be mistaken (it's been known to happen), but I think I saw him, when he was young (Maybe 6 yrs. old, younger than his dance video) go step for step, tap for tap with Gregory Hines - who had just made the movie "Tap" with Sammy Davis, Jr.

    Rate (Up | Down) 1 | Flag

  10. NebulaNoxx - 51-55 years old - female

    Posted by NebulaNoxx on Jul 25th, 2008 at 1:10AM

    PS. You have to be good to be able to pretend to be that bad! Love and Kisses.

    Rate (Up | Down) 1 | Flag

  11. Citysky - 46-50 years old

    Posted by Citysky on Jul 25th, 2008 at 6:54AM

    This was so great. Thank you so much. I was wondering how I was going to get through the day but you've given me strength!! I had a good laugh.

    Rate (Up | Down) 1 | Flag

  12. mimsy2 - 26-30 years old - female

    Posted by mimsy2 on Jul 25th, 2008 at 1:00PM

    I love the Carlton dance! It's just too funny!! Elaine's dance is okay too, but it's more scary than funny. The people's reactions to it is hilarious though.

    Carlton is definately the best funny dancer ever. Also, that Jackson pepsi comercial was cool.

    Rate (Up | Down) 1 | Flag

  13. shanga - 46-50 years old

    Posted by shanga on Jul 25th, 2008 at 8:32PM

    Count me in a one more person who you've brightened the day for. Thanks!!

    Rate (Up | Down) 1 | Flag

  14. Warmthoughtsofyou04 - 22-25 years old - female

    Posted by Warmthoughtsofyou04 on Jul 26th, 2008 at 1:19AM

    Dude...I looooove Elaine's "little kicks" dance. That **** cracks me up

    Rate (Up | Down) 1 | Flag

  15. laughinkatt - 26-30 years old

    Posted by laughinkatt on Nov 25th, 2008 at 10:50AM

    I had a crush on him when I was 14 during the height of the FPOB show.

    Rate (Up | Down) 1 | Flag

  16. ilovepandas102 - 18-21 years old - female

    Posted by ilovepandas102 on Jan 21st, 2009 at 9:41PM

    alfonso ribiero is freaking beastly. huge fan. had no idea about the broken neck rumour, though!

    Rate (Up | Down) 1 | Flag

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