Action Fraction is a fitting handle for the intelligent and hilarious stand-up comedian, actor,
writer, television personality, and women’s empowerment advocate Vanessa Fraction.
A mother of two, working at the phone company in 2001, Fraction hit the stage of a popular
open mic at The Cotton Club, Chicago to sing backup for a coworker. Performing the gig with a
few girlfriends from church, they weren't great, but Fraction decided that night she wanted to be
on stage. She went back the next week to do a comedy set and got booked for a show. Two
years later she landed the role of Monisha in Barbershop 2: Back in Business.
Currently, Fraction is the high-spirited, outrageously funny co-host of Nappy Boy Radio Podcast
hosted by rapper and producer T-Pain. She also guest hosts on the entertainment news
television series Dish Nation (FOX) and can be seen in Universal Pictures’ cinematic musical,
Praise This written and directed by Tina Gordon, produced by Will Packer, Tim Story, James
Lopez, and Sharla Sumpter.
From her unique brand of comedy that's both witty and unapologetically honest, Fraction’s
hilarious stand-up sets never fail to deliver comedy that is relatable and incredibly funny, with an
edge that allows her to push boundaries. She's the kind of comedian who will make you laugh
until your face hurts while making you think about the issues at hand.
With a storied history of industry wins, Fraction was an analyst for the Comedy Hype News
show and periodic face on Windy City Live (Chicago), she is also a recurring favorite as a crowd
warmer for numerous shows, including Dancing With Myself, America’s Got Talent: Extreme,
Black Girls Rock, The Soul Train Awards, BET Her: Fights Breast Cancer, Sunday's Best and
The Ms. Pat Show.
As an actress, Fraction’s appearances in television and film also include Last Call (Bounce TV),
Comedy Knockout (truTV), Tales (BET), a recurring role on Bounce TV’s Mann and Wife, Kim
Field’s Holiday Love: The Rebirth (TV One), Kevin Hart's Celebrity Game Face (E!), and the
lighthearted comedy Squatter’s Rights.
From Def Comedy Jam (HBO) to NickMom Night Out (Nick Jr.) to Laff Mobb’s Laff Tracks
(truTV), 1st Amendment Standup (STARZ), Mike Epps Live at Club Nokia, Just for Laughs
Montreal Festival (2008, 2018), and Just For Laughs Chicago (2013), Fraction’s bold and clever
stand-up has been a welcomed highlight on these and other showcases. The demand for her
comedic brilliance has garnered opportunities to perform abroad touring the UK and performing
for the U.S. troops in Germany, Japan, and South Korea. After performing on The Monique
Show, a year later she was offered her first writing gig. Fraction’s versatility as a writer
blossomed on shows like Raven’s Home (Disney), The Arsenio Hall Show (CBS), the Triumph
Awards (Bounce TV), and 106 & Park (BET).
Fraction’s passionate take on women’s freedoms and rights to empowerment stretches beyond
the stage. She is a certified self-defense instructor, and her branded style of teaching, Kicks &
Comedy, equips women with life-saving self-defense skills and lifts spirits by infusing comedy.
Vanessa's mission is to empower her audience to overcome their struggles while laughing at
hers.
