Simplify the following text for a Grade 9 native English-speaking person.
Original: Christopher `` Chris '' Tucker ( born August 31 , 1972 ) is an American actor and comedian , best known for his roles as Detective James Carter in the Rush Hour trilogy and Smokey in the 1995 film Friday .
Simplified: Christopher Tucker was ( born on August 31 , 1972 ) and he is an African-American actor , and comedian .