Comedians
Ian Lara is really just a regular guy from Queens, New York. He started comedy right after college because he didn't feel like going to law school and he's loved every second of it. Usually you can catch him performing every night in some of the best and worst shows in New York City, or he's on the road at a club or college near you. Ian Lara might become a household name but really all he wants is to get big enough where he can wear those big hats Pharrell wears to awards shows. Peace!
Ray Ellin started his career as a standup comic, improviser, and writer in his teens. He is
the host of the all-new Gong Show Live, a resurrection of the legendary ‘70s talent
competition.
Ray also hosted the popular LateNet with Ray Ellin, the first comedy/variety show to
simultaneously combine both in-studio and interactive online audiences. The program
features A-List celebrities, top comedians, and musical guests including Chevy Chase,
Hank Azaria, Leonard Nimoy, Paul Shaffer, Fran Drescher, Gilbert Gottfried and more.
In addition to LateNet with Ray Ellin, Ray has been the host and writer of the syndicated
television shows The Movie Loft, New York Now, PremiumTV, and BrainFuel TV. He
recently hosted/co-created the pilot for the tv game show Worth The Wait.
Ray is the go-to-host for any occasion; he has hosted hundreds of live events; corporate,
charity, sporting, fashion, and of course, comedy. He has a long list of television credits
including appearances on HBO, FOX, VH1, DISCOVERY, ABC, NBC, and England's
Mancs vs. Yanks. Ray was also profiled on Dateline NBC in which it was discovered
that his blood pressure actually drops right before he goes on stage!
Profiling the top three Latin comics in the country, Ray executive produced, directed, and
wrote the film The Latin Legends of Comedy, which was distributed by Twentieth
Century Fox.
Ray co-created, produced, and wrote the animated series La Familia, featuring John
Leguizamo, and the “Jack Daniel's Latino Comedy Series,” a 13-week comedy event in
New York City. The enormously successful program was tapped by other major U.S.
cities including Chicago and Miami.
As an actor, Ray has taken on a variety of theater roles, He co-starred in the romantic
comedy Killing Cinderella, and produced and co-starred in the short films Yellow, The
Try-Out, The Face, Felix the Painter, and Felix’s Rhapsody. He has appeared in
several television commercials including spots for Volkswagen, Microsoft, Coca-Cola,
Budweiser, American Express, and a multi-part campaign for the Sci-Fi Channel.
Born in NYC, Joe received some of his acting training at the HB Studios. He has used that training in many feature films, most recently ROUNDERS, and ROW YOUR BOAT. He also worked on RYDER PI, AN EASTSIDE STORY, and PUNCHLINE with Tom Hanks.
The acting is great, but performing in front of a live audience is my first love. Joe has made them laugh from coast to coast and everywhere in between. Whether its a packed house at TRUMP CASTLE in Atlantic City, or in front of 20,000 people at the famed MADISON SQUARE GARDEN; Joe has so much fun on stage that you can't help but have a great time watching him.
Joe has combined his comedy with motivational speaking. He motivates people and makes them realize that anything is possible in America. No matter who you are: Latino, Black, White, Female, Gay, Disabled, etc; you can go beyond all obstacles and become very successful in America.
Joe takes a lot of pride in knowing that he can make a difference in the future of many people. People and students leave his shows not only laughing, but also feeling good about themselves and their future.
Joe has logged some impressive time on radio shows, trading laughs with Howard Stern and others. He has appeared on all the major Comedy shows, including Comedy on the Road, Carolines, Comic Strip Live, and many others. He also hosted his own TV show called The Latin Connection on FOX.
Whether its making people laugh in nightclubs or concert halls, JOE VEGA is motivating people all over the world. Youll be glad that he is on the job and loving it!
Tony V started his stand-up comedy career in 1982 after attending several shows at Boston’s prestigious Comedy Connection. He wandered in one night, quite by accident, looking for a little stress relief from a high-pressure job as a caseworker at the Somerville Mental Health Center. Tony was working his way toward a Masters degree in social work having graduated from the University of Massachusetts with a B. S. in Psychology. It was not long after that he took to the stage himself. Tony’s street wise humor tempered with a genuine feel for the human condition quickly propelled him to headliner status on the national comedy club circuit.
In 1986 Tony V was named “Funniest Person in Massachusetts” by Showtime television. He followed this achievement with several performances on HBO, the Arts and Entertainment Network, Comedy Central and MTV. From 1987 through 1992 Tony V became the “spokesperson” for American Tourister Luggage. Remember the suitcase smashing gorilla? It was Tony that gave the ape it’s distinct voice and temperament. Touring extensively in and out of his high tech forty-five thousand dollar yak hair gorilla suit, both Tony and his alter ego had many interesting adventures. If you get a chance ask Tony about a meeting between The Gorilla, Spuds MacKenzie, and Ronald McDonald. You won’t believe your mind.
Network television was next on the list for this Boston native. Spending time in New York and L. A. paid off with multiple highly acclaimed appearances on Late Night w/ Conan O’Brien, Comedy Central’s Tough Crowd w/ Colin Quinn and several sit-coms including Seinfeld, Boston Common, The Single Guy and Dr. Katz Professional Therapist. Having proven himself a solid comic actor Tony then tackled dramatic roles on television working with such notable actors as Eric Roberts, Ice T and James McDaniels from NYPD Blue.
Tony’s big-screen outings include State and Main, Celtic Pride, Housesitter, One Crazy Summer and Shakes the Clown as well as the independently produced By the Sea and Abracadabra. Tony has also produced and written on several shows for network and production companies.
He is no stranger to benefits and fundraisers performing at functions for The American Cancer Society, Children's Hospital, The Boston Food Bank and many other charitable organizations. His corporate shows include Citizens Bank, The North East Lumber Association, Stop & Shop, American Express Corp. and Staples.
Along with being a popular headliner at clubs and colleges all over the free world, Tony V has worked with Jay Leno, Dennis Miller, Bobcat Goldthwait, Steven Wright, Adam Sandler and countless other friends and nationally known acts. Tony has opened for Kenny Rogers, The Temptations, Billy Ray Cyrus, The Beach Boys and Joan Jett.
Tony also really believes that this is enough of a Bio and if you’re not convinced or impressed by now nothing is going to change your mind. So thanks for reading this far and good luck in all your endeavors.
Andrew Schulz was a comedy prodigy, beginning to perform when he was still in college and jumping into the public eye on Guy Code. In addition to touring the country, Schulz co-hosts the popular podcast The Brilliant Idiots, appeared in IFC's Benders and will appear on the upcoming series There's... Johnny!
At the young age of 15, Gilbert Gottfried began doing stand-up at open mike nights in New York City, after a few short years, became known around town as “the comedian’s comedian.” After spending several years mastering the art of stand-up comedy, producers of the legendary NBC late night comedy show Saturday Night Live became aware of Gottfried and, in 1980, hired him as a cast member. It wasn’t until a few years later when his true notoriety would begin when MTV hired him for a series of improvised and hilarious promos for the newly formed channel. This led to several television appearances on “The Cosby Show” and “Late Night with David Letterman.”
Gottfried’s work in television soon led to roles in film. Most notable was his improvised scene as business manager Sidney Bernstein in the hit sequel “Beverly Hills Cop II,” for which the New York Daily News said, “Gilbert Gottfried steals the picture with a single scene.” Aside from his glowing reputation in comedy clubs, Gottfried began to gain a reputation as the king of quirky roles in both movies and television. He appeared in such movies as “Problem Child,” “Problem Child II,” “Look Who’s Talking II” and “The Adventures of Ford Fairlane.” He was also the host of the very popular late night movie series “USA Up All Night.”
After his stellar performance as the wise cracking parrot, IAGO, in the Disney classic “Aladdin,” Gottfried became one of the most recognizable voiceover talents, lending his voice to several commercials, cartoons and movies, including the frustrated duck in the AFLAC Insurance commercials. Gottfried also is the voice of DIGIT in the long running PBS Series “Cyberchase.” His signature voice can also be heard on the Comedy Central series, “The Annoying Orange, the voice of the horse on “Family Guy,” Mr. Mxyzptlk in the new “Lego Batman 3 – Beyond Gotham” video game, and Abraham Lincoln in A Million Ways to Die in the West.
Gottfried has made numerous memorable appearances on Comedy Central Roasts and the Comedy Central series, “The Burn with Jeff Ross.” Gottfried’s “Fifty Shades of Grey” reading (College Humor) received over 5 million views on YouTube.
Gilbert has been a guest on “The Tonight Show with Jay Leno,” “The Late Show with Seth Meyers”, “@Midnight with Chris Hardwick” and numerous appearances on “The Howard Stern Show.” He also has had a recurring role on “Law and Order” SVU as TARU tech Leo Gerber.
Gottfried appeared in the hit comedy documentary “The Aristocrats,” with Entertainment Weekly saying that “out of the 101 comedians who appear on screen, no one is funnier – or more disgusting – than Gilbert Gottfried.”
In addition, Gottfried, a classic movie lover, was a guest Programmer on TCM. He mock-complained to TCM host Robert Osborne that choosing only four films out of all those available was “the worst homework assignment ever!”
“Gilbert Gottfried Dirty Jokes” was released on both DVD and CD, featuring 50 non-stop minutes of Gottfried telling the funniest and filthiest jokes ever. The show was filmed live at the Gotham Comedy Club in New York City. Also featured on the DVD are some of the funniest bonus features ever, including wild stories, indignant ranting and celebrity impressions.
“Rubber Balls and Liquor” is Gilbert Gottfried’s hilarious first-ever book. Part memoir, part twisted social commentary, and part scratches on the bathroom wall. With this scathingly funny book of rants and musings, Gottfried sullies an entirely new medium with his dysfunctional worldview.
Oh, and did we mention the reality shows and podcast? Gilbert appeared on both ABC’s “Celebrity Wife Swap”, swapping with Alan Thicke, and NBC’s “Celebrity Apprentice” where Gilbert took his first trip into the boardroom and perhaps his last. And the podcast…”Gilbert Gottfried’s Amazing Colossal Podcast!” where Gilbert journeys back in time with some of the Hollywood icons, legends, and behind the scenes talent who shaped (warped?) his childhood and influenced his unique brand of comedy. He is joined each week by his co-host and late night phone friend, fellow showbiz fanatic, and Comedy Writer Frank Santopadre.
In 2017, “Gilbert” the documentary about Gilbert Gottfried premiered at the Tribeca Film Festival. Director Neil Berkeley’s Gilbert reveals an unexpected side to the iconic comedian. The film peeks behind the larger-than-life persona at a more personal story about growing up in Brooklyn and becoming a husband and father late in life. “Gilbert” premiers on Hulu, fall 2017.
As a famed comics comic, Gottfried puts aside political correctness for his live performance and fires an onslaught of jokes that know no boundaries.
Stephen King on Gilbert Gottfried: “More than a national treasure, he’s a secret weapon. If we had had Gilbert Gottfried in World War II, Hitler would have given up in 1942.”
Gilbert, a lifelong resident of NYC is married with 2 children and has never had a drivers license.
Joe List began his comedy career in Boston, Massachusetts in 2000 just weeks after graduating from high school. Since that time he has been featured on The Late Show with David Letterman as well as multiple appearances on Conan. He’s featured in Season 2 of The Netflix Series “The Stand Ups”. In 2015 List was a finalist on NBC's Last Comic Standing and had his own Half Hour comedy special on Comedy Central. His albums 'So Far No Good' and 'Are You Mad at Me?' can be heard regularly on Sirius Radio. List is also the co-host of his own popular weekly podcast 'Tuesdays with Stories'.
Paul Shaffer is a Canadian singer, composer, actor, author, comedian and multi-instrumentalist who served as David Letterman's musical director, band leader and sidekick on the entire run of both Late Night with David Letterman and Late Show with David Letterman.
Character actor Richard Kind has done most of his work on television and on stage, but he also occasionally appears in feature films. Fans of the NBC sitcom Mad About You will recognize him for playing Fran's ex-husband Mark. Kind grew up in Bucks County, PA (he was born in Trenton, NJ), and has had a lifelong interest in acting. But despite his interest, he enrolled at Northwestern University as a pre-law major. He had planned on attending law school immediately after graduation, but instead heeded a family friend's advice and decided to pursue drama for a while. Kind moved to New York, but despite occasional work in commercials and showcases, got no breaks. He did much better in Chicago, where he found employment and gained valuable experience working first with the comedic actors at the Practical Theatre Company and then with those at Second City. Eventually, he moved to L.A. to perform with that city's division of the illustrious satirical theater. Since his arrival in Southern California, Kind has been a regular and a guest star on various series. He made his feature film debut in Vice Versa (1988). He would go on to appear in many feature films, from the Station Agent to Argo. He would also star on several TV series, like Spin City and Luck.
Ricky Velez is a New-York based actor and stand-up comedian who was named one of Variety's "Ten Comics to Watch." He currently appears as a correspondent on Comedy Central's THE NIGHTLY SHOW with Larry Wilmore and appeared on the Netflix series, MASTER OF NONE. Ricky was trained at the Frank Sinatra School of the Arts where he received the Special Recognition Diploma in Drama presented to him by Kevin Spacey. As a comic, Ricky was named "New York's Funniest Comedian" by Caroline's Comedy Club and was featured in Comedy Central's and The New York Comedy Festival's Fifth annual "Comics to Watch."
"Washington has been the home of a number of very good comics and a few great ones (Wanda Sykes, Dave Chappelle, Lewis Black, Martin Lawrence). Erin Jackson could be next in line." âThe Washington Post
Armed with a megawatt smile and a pocket full of dreams, Erin Jackson is poised to conquer the world o...
Ophira Eisenberg is a standup comic and host of NPR’s nationally syndicated comedy, trivia show Ask Me Another where she interviews and plays silly games with Sir Patrick Stewart, Terry Crews, Awkwafina, Roxane Gay, Jessica Walter, Nick Kroll, Tony Hawk, Sasha Velour, Julia Stiles, Lewis Black, Uzo Aduba, Ethan Hawke and more. She has appeared on Comedy Central, This Week At The Comedy Cellar, The Late Late Show, The New Yorker Festival, Kevin Hart’s LOL Network, HBO’s Girls, Gotham Live, The Today Show, and VH-1, and more Her comedy special Inside Joke is available on Amazon and iTunes. She also is a regular host and teller with The Moth and her stories have been featured on The Moth Radio Hour and in their best-selling books, including the most recent: Occasional Magic: True Stories About Defying the Impossible. Ophira’s own comedic memoir, Screw Everyone: Sleeping My Way to Monogamy was optioned for a feature film
Legendary Boston Comedian Lenny Clarke is back on the road with his “No holds barred” stand up comedy tour! Lenny was featured in the Dennis Leary FX show RESCUE ME and has also been in some great comedy movies; There’s Something About Mary, Fever Pitch, Stuck on You and Me, Myself and Irene to name just a few!
Lenny Clarke spent several years as the host of the open-mike nights at the famous Ding Ho Comedy Club in Cambridge, MA and has traveled the world as a stand-up comic. His comedic abilities captured the attention of Rodney Dangerfield, who gave him his first big break, casting him in Nothin’ Goes Right. He and Dangerfield also worked together years later on Meet Wally Sparks.
After years of hard work, Clarke was “discovered” at the Montreal Comedy Festival. He had his own series, the eponymous Lenny, which ran for 18 episodes. Other TV work includes The John Larroquette Show, hosting The Sunday Comics, and appearances on Touched by an Angel, Hollywood Square, The Job and The Love Boat: The Next Wave.
Lynne Koplitz is an American stand-up comedian and actress. Koplitz was the host of Telepictures' nationally syndicated dating show Change of Heart, guest host on NBC's Later, co-host of the Food Network's How to Boil Water, and co-host of Sony Pictures syndicated talk show Life and Style. Her stand-up has appeared on a number of Comedy Central specials, including Premium Blend and Comedy Central Presents. She performed at the Just for Laughs comedy festival in Montreal.
Mia Jackson is a bonafide Georgia peach (that's Georgian for “native”) and self proclaimed know-it-all. After graduating from the University of Georgia she hit the local comedy scene and has thrilled audiences since day one. To her credit she has appeared on NickMom's Night Out, Viceland and was a semi-finalist on Season 9 of NBC's Last Comic Standing. She has appeared on Inside Amy Schumer and the movie Mother's Day. In 2017, she was named a New Face at the Just for Laughs Comedy Festival in Montreal and Atlanta's Creative Loafing named her the city's Best Stand-Up. Smart, funny, and versatile, Mia entertains all types of crowds.
Jimmy Dunn is an actor and stand-up comedian from Boston, who recently co-starred on the CBS comedy "The McCarthys" as Sean McCarthy. He got his start in the comedy world telling jokes at a bar in Gloucester, Massachusetts, where he was paid in beer and fried clams.
Since then, Jimmy has gone on to perform at some of the comedy industry's most prestigious events, including Denis Leary's Comics Come Home, Montreal's International Just For Laughs Comedy Festival, and the Late Show with David Letterman.
I grew up in North Carolina and Delaware, listening to George Carlin,
Eddie Murphy, and Steven Wright. I moved to New York after college
with a Theatre Arts degree in hand. I did some off-off-off Broadway
shows while waiting tables and bartending. Comedy was always
something I wanted to do but never followed through with so one day I
woke up and decided to stop talking about it and actually do it. That
night I went to an open-mic paid $5 for five minutes of stage time and
I’ve been doing it ever since.
I’ve been lucky enough to do some plays, a music video, a variety show
“The Fringe”, some independent films and a couple of commercials. I
was the regular warm-up for daytime talk shows The Revolution and
Bethenny while also subbing in at Rachel Ray, The View and Dr.Oz
I travel all over doing stand-up from Maine to New Mexico to Florida
and the exotic Dakota’s as well as working on cruises all over the sea. I
recently taped a Drybar comedy special which can be found on
Drybarcomedy.com.
It has been said that I have the southern roots to make me hospitable
and enough New York in me to give me an edge.
After leaving a high-paying executive position at a computer company, Balan’s honed her comedy skills making the rounds at local New York comedy clubs. Using her quick wit and savvy sense of humor she soon found herself in high demand performing regularly at Carolines on Broadway, Gotham Comedy Club, Broadway Comedy Club and The Comic Strip Live.
Los Angeles soon came calling Michele headed out west, where she was soon, are a regular fixture at the Comedy Store, The Laugh Factory and the Hollywood Improv.
As Michele’s popularity grew the press and Hollywood took notice. The New York Post’s Cindy Adams declared Michele “Dynamite” and soon NBC tapped her to appear on Last Comic Standing, where she was a finalist and also was The Last Woman Comic Standing on Season 4.
Balan went on to appear on The Joy Behar Show on HLN, Byron Allen’s Comics Unleashed, and the OUTlaugh festival on LOGO.
Voted one of the “Top 10 Comics” by Backstage Magazine, Michele headlines across the country at comedy clubs, corporate events, JCC’s, country clubs and is a popular act for major Cruise lines.
As an author, Michele is a contributor for many publications and has collaborated and written for many well-known comedians
Michele currently resides in New York City.
As seen on TV and Stages from Broadway to the Las Vegas Strip, Steven Scott is a comedian, actor, and host whose unique and tasteful brand of comedy combines clever observations of his everyday life with his amazing vocal talent; which includes an array of characters, voices and sounds ranging from celebrities to musical instruments. Once described as a perfect mix between Jerry Seinfeld and Jim Carrey, Steven loves getting paid now to do exactly what used to get him into trouble as a kid.
He has had the privilege of performing with some of the biggest names in show business, both onstage as well as on-screen where he has traveled to all 7 continents; performing comedy clubs, conventions, cruises, colleges, festivals, roasts, military bases and appeared on numerous TV and radio shows from Comedy Central, NBC, FOX, VH1, SiriusXM and his recent standing ovation appearances on America’s Got Talent.
His multifaceted voice can be heard in many commercials and video games. He once had a deal with Warner Brothers and was cast as a series regular in a pilot for a hip sketch comedy show co-starring Tyra Banks and Jamie Foxx. He also performed and created a co-starring role in an award-winning Off-Broadway Musical, has been a frequent late-night Radio sidekick and recently filmed a TV pilot for his own comedy travel show for the Travel Channel. He is a longtime member and former Governor of the legendary Friars Club and enjoys donating his time and talent to various charities that promote healing through laughter.
As a stand-up comedian for 36 years, Joey Kola has performed for hundreds of thousands of people throughout his career in the US, Canada, and England. His high energy, spot-on punch lines, and fast delivery assault an audience like a comedic freight train. Joey's topical and timeless material combine to always make his audiences laugh hard.
“Edgy"," "honest," and "hilarious" are words to describe Kathleen Dunbar's comedy. Motherhood, aging, and family are some of the topics she tackles with razor-sharp sarcasm and quick precise timing. Kathleen keeps you laughing through her entire show.
She started in 1999 and has taken the comedy industry by storm. In 2002 she made the move to Las Vegas and won the Las Vegas Star Search Comedy Competition, sponsored by KLAS TV 8 and Station Casinos. She auditioned and was accepted for the 2002 Las Vegas Comedy Festival. Producers were so impressed, in 2003 they made her tour manager.
In 2003-2005 she starred on the Las Vegas strip in "Kathleen Dunbar's Divas of Comedy" at the Saraha Hotel.
Hannah Berner emerged on the comedy scene by directing, editing, and acting in videos on Instagram and writing viral tweets. She now performs stand up around the country, and sells out venues for her podcast, Berning In Hell, in which she interviews her guests about their deepest insecurities, anxieties and fears. She is currently a cast member of Summer House on Bravo. Hannah is an advocate for mental health, napping, and fart jokes.
Comedian Dwight Slade enjoys a legendary reputation in American and International stand up. Winner of the Boston Comedy Festival and the Seattle International Comedy Competition, Slade has appeared on Comedy Central, HBO and the Tonight Show. The London Times calls him, “...a masterclass.”
Zarna Garg is “One in a Billion”, and that's not the just name of her first comedy special. She’s also the only Indian mom comedian taking on her mother-in-law. She was recently profiled as one of the gutsiest women in comedy on Apple TV’s new “Gutsy Women” series and featured on “This American Life” with Ira Glass. When she’s not doing 15 shows a week at Comedy Cellar in New York City, she is touring the world with her show. She is the winner of Kevin Hart's Lyft Comics, the winner of the 2021 Ladies of Laughter Award, and has over a million followers across social media platforms. Her debut feature screenplay, ‘Rearranged’ won Top Comedy Feature award at Austin Film Festival in 2019 and was a 2019 Nicholl Fellowships Semi-Finalist.