Sinbad, real name David Adkins, was born in 1956 in Benton Harbor, Michigan. Sinbad served in the U.S. Air Force where he wowed audiences with his comedic skills at a talent show.

In the early 1980s, Sinbad caught his first big break as a contestant on Star Search, winning 10 times on the show. Before long, Sinbad was an in-demand performer and he soon landed TV roles on The Redd Foxx Show and A Different World. In 1993, he debuted The Sinbad Show. Sinbad also appeared in such films as 1996's Jingle All the Way.