Comedians

Bert Kreischer's career has evolved from earning Rolling Stone's 1997 "Number One Partier in the Nation," to one of the top grossing stand-up comics in the business. In 2022, Pollstar listed Bert as #4 in the "Top 10 Highest Grossing Tours", performing to sold-out arenas around the globe. He is currently on his 2023 Tops Off World Tour.

As one of the best storytellers of his generation, Kreischer seamlessly and sincerely shares anecdotes about his family and fatherhood while showing his ability to prove "that there's a way to take his [party-boy] antics into middle-age," (Forbes).

On March 14th, Kreischer released his highly anticipated 5th stand-up special, Razzle Dazzle on Netflix. Shameless - and shirtless - as ever, Bert spills on bodily emissions, being bullied by his kids and the explosive end to his family's escape room outing. His stand-up specials Secret Time, The Machine, and Hey Big Boy are currently streaming on Netflix.

As if that wasn't enough, Kreischer tops off this summer as the star in the Legendary/ Sony picture film, The Machine, exclusively in theatres across the country May 26th. Set 23 years after the study abroad experience he chronicled in his 2016 Showtime stand-up special, the movie follows Kreischer as the Russian mafia finally catches up with him after all these years and seeks retribution for the crimes that he committed in their country as a rowdy, drunken college student.

In additional to a successful stand-up career, Kreischer has made himself a household name in the podcast world with several top comedy podcasts including Bertcast and Two Bears One Cave that he co-hosts with Tom Segura. He also hosts the popular YouTube cooking show, Something's Burning.

Dane Cook was born on 18 March 1972 in Boston, Massachusetts, USA. He is an actor and writer, known for Good Luck Chuck (2007), My Best Friend's Girl (2008) and Dan in Real Life (2007). He has been married to Kelsi Taylor since 23 September 2023.

Boston's Gary Gulman has appeared on just about every television show a young stand-up comedian can appear on, including The Tonight Show with Jay Leno and The Late Show with David Letterman. His brand of clever, original comedy has delighted audiences of all ages all over America. While Gary has been a headlining comedian for several years now, he is most well known for his breakthrough success on NBC's hit stand-up Showcase, Last Comic Standing. Over the past four years his charm and talent have also caught the attention of numerous television networks who have inked Gulman to star in lucrative comedy projects for them, including CBS, Showtime and FOX to star in his own show. Though he's only been performing for a relatively short time, his body of work includes a half-hour Showtime Network special, a critically lauded CD entitled Conversations With Inanimate Objects and a soon to be released one hour DVD from Goldhil Media entitled Boyish Man. Comedy experts everywhere praise Gary as one of the top comedians touring today.

Emmy Blotnick is a stand-up comic, writer and actress based out of New York. She has appeared on CBS' The Late Show with Stephen Colbert, where she is also one of the program's staff writers. She has also been featured on TBS' Conan and in her own half hour stand-up special on Comedy Central. Blotnick was head writer for Comedy Central's The President Show, with other writing credits including Comedy Central's Not Safe with Nikki Glaser and @midnight. Blotnick was highlighted as one of Comedy Central's Comics To Watch and a "New Face" at Just For Laughs in Montreal.

Mark Normand is known for his "relentlessly punchy writing and expert delivery" (The Laugh Button) that has made him an internationally known touring comedian. 2016 has included multiple appearances on Louis CK's "Horace and Pete", an appearance on Seeso's "What's Your F@%king Deal?!", a stand-up set on CBS's "Late Show with Stephen Colbert" and return appearances on Comedy Central's "Inside Amy Schumer" and TBS's "Conan". Previously television stops including a Comedy Central "The Half Hour" special, Showtime's "SXSW Comedy with W Kamau Bell", MTV Other's "Inside Joke", the TruTV series "World's Dumbest" and "How To Be a Grownup", Comedy Central's "@Midnight", and NBC's "Last Comic Standing". Mark also won Caroline's March Madness competition, beating out 63 other comedians, and released an album with Comedy Central records titled "Still Got It". This is a shocker for all of us but he was also voted Village Voice's "Best Comedian of 2013", I know right?

Mark was born and raised in New Orleans, LA surprisingly to two normal parents. As a kid he spent most of his time shooting short films and wetting the bed. Mark started doing comedy right after college and quickly moved to New York. Mark now does comedy clubs and colleges across the country and has been involved in many festivals including Portland, Seattle, DC, Boston, and was featured as a New Face at the Montreal Comedy Festival. Mark will be performing at the Melbourne Comedy Festival and Moontower Comedy and Oddity Festival in 2016. Mark is a constant podcast guest, appears often on Sirius XM radio, and when home in New York Mark runs two comedy shows and two podcasts. His podcast "Tuesdays with Stories!" with co-host Joe List, also tours.

More annoying accolades: Mark was named one of Comedy Central's Comics To Watch for the 2011 New York Comedy Festival. Mark was also named to Esquire's "Best New Comedians 2012", Splitsider's "Top 10 Up and Coming Comedians on Each Coast", and Time Out New York's "21 New York Comedy Scene Linchpins".

Mark still lives in New York City.

Jay Oakerson was born on 7 December 1977 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA. He is a writer and actor, known for Isn't It Romantic (2019), Hustlers (2019) and Louie (2010).

Kazeem Rahman is known for Tough Choice with Kazeem Rahman (2021) and Podcast Hell with Erick Hellwig (2023).

As one of today's premiere stand-up comics Jo Koy has come a long way from his modest beginnings performing at a Las Vegas coffee house. The comedian, who pulls inspiration from his family, specifically his son, sells-out arenas and theaters across the world.

In 2017, Koy broke a record for the most tickets sold by a single artist at The Neal S. Blaisdell Concert Hall in Honolulu with 11 sold-out shows and over 23,000 tickets sold. In response, the mayor's office in Honolulu proclaimed November 24th as "Jo Koy Day." The comedian continued his record breaking streak by being the only comedian to sell out 6 shows at The Warfield in San Francisco. He then broke the attendance record at Club Regent Event Centre in Winnipeg with 4 sold-out shows. In 2019, Koy sold-out 5 shows at the San Diego Civic Theatre, the most consecutive sold-out shows for a comedian. He recently became the only comedian to sell 17,000+ tickets, over 30 shows (in one year) at the Brea Improv.

He was given the prestigious "Stand-Up Comedian Of The Year" award at the 2018 Just For Laughs Comedy Festival in Montreal. He has had four highly rated and successful comedy specials on Comedy Central and Netflix. His 2019 Netflix special, Comin' In Hot is currently streaming world-wide. Koy is on a mission to educate the masses on how to raise a millennial, the intricacies of Filipino traditions, and more!

In 2019, the comedian reached #1 on the Billboard Charts for his stand-up comedy album, Live From Seattle. He can also be heard on his weekly podcast, The Koy Pond with Jo Koy by Starburns Audio. Listeners can dive in each week as Koy welcomes friends and fellow comedians to share their hilarious insights on life.

Koy has appeared on over 140 episodes of Chelsea Lately as a season regular round table guest. Other appearances include: The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon, Jimmy Kimmel Live, The Late Late Show with James Corden, Last Call With Carson Daly, @Midnight with Chris Hardwick, Lights Out With David Spade, The Breakfast Club, Beat Bobby Flay, Celebrity Page TV, VH1, World's Funniest Fails and Sean In The Wild.

Today, the comedian tours around the world on his Just Kidding World Tour with all new material.

Brad Williams was born on 13 January 1984 in Los Angeles, California, USA. He is an actor and writer, known for Brad Williams: Daddy Issues (2016), Brad Williams: Fun Size (2015) and Little Evil (2017). He has been married to Jasmine Gong since 2017. They have one child.

Kathleen Madigan is known for Politically Incorrect (1993).

Emmy Blotnick is a stand-up comic, writer and actress based out of New York. She has appeared on CBS' The Late Show with Stephen Colbert, where she is also one of the program's staff writers. She has also been featured on TBS' Conan and in her own half hour stand-up special on Comedy Central. Blotnick was head writer for Comedy Central's The President Show, with other writing credits including Comedy Central's Not Safe with Nikki Glaser and @midnight. Blotnick was highlighted as one of Comedy Central's Comics To Watch and a "New Face" at Just For Laughs in Montreal.

Mark Normand is known for his "relentlessly punchy writing and expert delivery" (The Laugh Button) that has made him an internationally known touring comedian. 2016 has included multiple appearances on Louis CK's "Horace and Pete", an appearance on Seeso's "What's Your F@%king Deal?!", a stand-up set on CBS's "Late Show with Stephen Colbert" and return appearances on Comedy Central's "Inside Amy Schumer" and TBS's "Conan". Previously television stops including a Comedy Central "The Half Hour" special, Showtime's "SXSW Comedy with W Kamau Bell", MTV Other's "Inside Joke", the TruTV series "World's Dumbest" and "How To Be a Grownup", Comedy Central's "@Midnight", and NBC's "Last Comic Standing". Mark also won Caroline's March Madness competition, beating out 63 other comedians, and released an album with Comedy Central records titled "Still Got It". This is a shocker for all of us but he was also voted Village Voice's "Best Comedian of 2013", I know right?

Mark was born and raised in New Orleans, LA surprisingly to two normal parents. As a kid he spent most of his time shooting short films and wetting the bed. Mark started doing comedy right after college and quickly moved to New York. Mark now does comedy clubs and colleges across the country and has been involved in many festivals including Portland, Seattle, DC, Boston, and was featured as a New Face at the Montreal Comedy Festival. Mark will be performing at the Melbourne Comedy Festival and Moontower Comedy and Oddity Festival in 2016. Mark is a constant podcast guest, appears often on Sirius XM radio, and when home in New York Mark runs two comedy shows and two podcasts. His podcast "Tuesdays with Stories!" with co-host Joe List, also tours.

More annoying accolades: Mark was named one of Comedy Central's Comics To Watch for the 2011 New York Comedy Festival. Mark was also named to Esquire's "Best New Comedians 2012", Splitsider's "Top 10 Up and Coming Comedians on Each Coast", and Time Out New York's "21 New York Comedy Scene Linchpins".

Mark still lives in New York City.

Jay Oakerson was born on 7 December 1977 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA. He is a writer and actor, known for Isn't It Romantic (2019), Hustlers (2019) and Louie (2010).

Kazeem Rahman is known for Tough Choice with Kazeem Rahman (2021) and Podcast Hell with Erick Hellwig (2023).

Brad Upton is known for Dangerous (2012), Prefontaine (1997) and U2: Rattle and Hum (1988).

Taylor Tomlinson was born on 4 November 1993 in Orange, California, USA. She is a writer and producer, known for Untitled Taylor Tomlinson- based film, New Couple Gets Quarantined (2020) and Untitled Taylor Tomlinson/ABC Project.

Edward Regan Murphy was born April 3, 1961 in Brooklyn, New York, to Lillian Lynch (born: Lillian Laney), a telephone operator, and Charles Edward Murphy, a transit police officer who was also an amateur comedian and actor. After his father died, his mother married Vernon Lynch, a foreman at a Breyer's Ice Cream plant. His brothers are Charlie Murphy & Vernon Lynch Jr. Eddie had aspirations of being in show business since he was a child. A bright kid growing up in the streets of New York, Murphy spent a great deal of time on impressions and comedy stand-up routines rather than academics. His sense of humor and wit made him a stand out amongst his classmates at Roosevelt Junior-Senior High School. By the time he was fifteen, Murphy worked as a stand-up comic on the lower part of New York, wooing audiences with his dead-on impressions of celebrities and outlooks on life.

In the early 1980s, at the age of 19, Murphy was offered a contract for the Not-Ready-For-Prime-Time Players of Saturday Night Live (1975), where Murphy exercised his comedic abilities in impersonating African American figures and originating some of the show's most memorable characters: Velvet Jones, Mr. Robinson, and a disgruntled and angry Gumby. Murphy made his feature film debut in 48 Hrs. (1982), alongside Nick Nolte. The two's comedic and antagonistic chemistry, alongside Murphy's believable performance as a streetwise convict aiding a bitter, aging cop, won over critics and audiences. The next year, Murphy went two for two, with another hit, pairing him with John Landis, who later became a frequent collaborator with Murphy in Coming to America (1988) and Beverly Hills Cop III (1994). Beverly Hills Cop (1984) was the film that made Murphy a box-office superstar and most notably made him a celebrity worldwide, and it remains one of the all-time biggest domestic blockbusters in motion-picture history. Murphy's performance as a young Detroit cop in pursuit of his friend's murderers earned him a third consecutive Golden Globe nomination. Axel Foley became one of Murphy's signature characters. On top of his game, Murphy was unfazed by his success, that is until his box office appeal and choices in scripts resulted into a spotty mix of hits and misses into the late 1980s and early 1990s.

Films like The Golden Child (1986) and Beverly Hills Cop II (1987) were critically panned but were still massive draws at the box office. In 1989, Murphy, coming off another hit, Coming to America (1988), found failure with his directorial debut, Harlem Nights (1989). Another 48 Hrs. (1990), his turn as a hopeless romantic in Boomerang (1992) and as a suave vampire in Vampire In Brooklyn did little to resuscitate his career. However, his remake of Jerry Lewis's The Nutty Professor (1996) brought Murphy's drawing power back into fruition. From there, Murphy rebounded with occasional hits and misses but has long proven himself as a skilled comedic actor with laudable range pertaining to characterizations and mannerisms. Though he has grown up a lot since his fast-lane rise as a superstar in the 1980s, Murphy has lived the Hollywood lifestyle with controversy, criticism, scandal, and the admiration of millions worldwide for his talents. As Murphy had matured throughout the years, learning many lessons about the Hollywood game in the process, he settled down with more family-oriented humor with Doctor Dolittle (1998), Mulan (1998), Bowfinger (1999), and the animated smash Shrek (2001), in a supporting role that showcased Murphy's comedic personality and charm. Throughout the 2000s, he further starred in the hits The Haunted Mansion (2003), Shrek 2 (2004), Dreamgirls (2006) (for which he was nominated for a Best Supporting Actor Oscar), Norbit (2007), Shrek the Third (2007), and Shrek Forever After (2010).

Murphy was married to Nicole Mitchell Murphy from 1993 to 2006. Murphy has ten children.

Sam Kinison was a popular stand-up comedian from Yakima, Washington, mainly active in the 1980s and the early 1990s. He also had a few acting roles in film and television. His only recurring role was that of Hugh, the main character's alter ego in the short-lived sitcom "Charlie Hoover" (1991). The series only lasted 7 episodes. Kinison had previously worked as a Pentecostal preacher, and his comedy routine incorporated sudden tirades and distinctive screams in the style of charismatic preachers. Kinison was noted for a tendency to use black comedy, and to often satirize Christian evangelist scandals.

In 1953, Kinison was born in Yakima, Washington. The city's economy is mostly based on agriculture. Yakima is the primary producer of hops in the United States, a key ingredient in the production of beer. Kinison's parents were the Pentecostal preacher Samuel Earl Kinison and his wife Marie Florence Morrow. Samuel "pastored several churches " throughout the United States, never settling for long in one place and always earning a meager income.

In 1956, Kinison was accidentally hit by a truck. He survived the accident, but suffered brain damage. His childhood was otherwise uneventful until 1964, when his parents divorced. Marie gained custody over Kinison, despite the boy's protestations. Kinison decided to follow in his father's footstep's, training to become a preacher.

From 1968 to 1969, Kinison attended the "Pinecrest Bible Training Center", an unaccredited bible school located in Salisbury Center, New York. From 1970 to 1977, Kinison was employed as a preacher. He reportedly used a typical "fire and brimstone" style in his sermons, punctuated with shouting. Like his father, Kinison earned a meager income and struggled with poverty.

Deciding to change his career path and become a comedian, Kinison moved to Houston, Texas. He found work at the Houston-based comedy club "Comedy Workshop" (1978-early 1990s). He received training at the Workshop's school for improvisational comedic actors, and joined the club's team of "Texas Outlaw Comics". The team reportedly was intended to consist of comedians "who speak their minds" and "who aren't interested in selling out."

In 1980, Kinison decided to move to Los Angeles. He wanted to be hired by the West Hollywood-located comedy club "The Comedy Store" (1972-), where young comedians received press exposure and had a shot of appearing in HBO's "Young Comedians" television specials.

Kinison was initially hired as a doorman by "The Comedy Store", but eventually started performing as a comedian again. While struggling to find work, Kinnison reportedly developed addictions to both cocaine and alcohol. He hired his brother Bill as his manager.

Kinison's big break came when he was chosen as one of 8 performers in the "The 9th Annual Young Comedians Special" (1985). Most of the featured performers failed to impress the critics of the day, but Kinison won praise for voicing the frustrations of a typical married man in his routine. Kinison was next featured as a guest on the talk show "Late Night with David Letterman", and was cast in a supporting role in the comedy film "Back to School".

Kinison was at the height of his popularity by 1989. He was cast in the role of an angel in an episode of then-popular sitcom "Married... with Children" (1987-1997). In 1990, he had a role in the horror anthology series "Tales from the Crypt" (1989-1996). In 1991, he had a co-starring role in the sitcom "Charlie Hoover" (1991). The series' premise was that Charlie was a depressed, middle-aged office worker who is confronted by his own alter ego, who convinces him to turn his life around.

Having divorced twice, on April 4, 1992 Kinison married his long-time girlfriend Malika Souiri. She worked as a dancer. Following the wedding, the couple vacationed in Hawaii for 5 days. They returned to Los Angeles on April 10, as Kinison had to prepare for a performance at the Riverside Resort Hotel and Casino of Laughlin, Nevada. Later that day, Kinison's Pontiac Trans Am was "struck head-on" by a pick-up truck. The driver of the other vehicle was an inebriated 17-year-old boy.

Kinnison was found dead at the scene, with his head having smashed his car's windshield. At the time of the accident, Kinnison was not wearing his seat belt. He was 38-years-old at the the time of his death. His wife was also injured at the accident, but was able to recovered at a hospital. The driver responsible for the death pled guilty to charges of "vehicular manslaughter with gross negligence". He was sentenced to a single year of probation and 300 hours of community service.

Kinison was buried in a family grave plot at Memorial Park Cemetery in Tulsa, Oklahoma. In 1993, archival footage of him was used for the television special "A Tribute to Sam Kinison". Kinnison's brother Bill wrote a biography of him, called "Brother Sam: The Short, Spectacular Life of Sam Kinison". Despite a relatively short career, Kinnison has been fondly remembered. He has been cited as an influence by other comedians.

Tom Papa starred opposite Matt Damon in the Steven Soderbergh film, The Informant! (2009), and stars opposite Paul Giamatti in the animated feature, The Haunted World of El Superbeasto (2009), as the voice of "El Super Beasto". He additionally had a voiceover role in the DreamWorks animated feature, Bee Movie (2007), and also was a writer on the project. Among his other big screen credits are the films, Analyze That (2002), opposite Robert De Niro, and Comedian (2002).

On television, Tom was personally chosen by Jerry Seinfeld to serve as the host of NBC's The Marriage Ref (2010), had a recurring role opposite Julia Louis-Dreyfus on the CBS series, The New Adventures of Old Christine (2006), and his own show, Come to Papa (2004).

As a veteran stand-up comedian, Papa has recorded two stand-up specials on Comedy Central and Rob Zombie directed his next special, "Tom Papa: Live in New York City (2011) (TV)_. A familiar face to late night television, Papa has made numerous appearances on The Tonight Show with Jay Leno (1992), Late Night with Conan O'Brien (1993) and Late Show with David Letterman (1993).

Papa opened his one-man show, "Only Human", to rave reviews at the prestigious "Just for Laughs Festival" in Montreal.

Papa splits his time between Los Angeles and New York, with his wife and family.

Chad Daniels is known for Chad Daniels: Mixed Reviews (2023), Chad Daniels: As Is (2012) and Chad Daniels: Empty Nester (2024).

Bill Engvall was born on July 27, 1957 in Galveston, Texas, USA as William Ray Engvall Jr. He is an actor and writer, known for Delta Farce (2007), Catching Faith (2015) and Last Man Standing (2011). He has been married to Mary Gail Watson since December 18, 1982. They have two children, Emily and Travis Engvall, and one granddaughter, Autumn.

Ron White was born on 18 December 1956 in Fritch, Texas, USA. He is an actor and producer, known for Horrible Bosses (2011), Sex and the City 2 (2010) and Blue Collar Comedy Tour: The Movie (2003). He has been married to Margo Rey since 13 October 2013. He was previously married to Barbara Dobbs and Lori Brice.

Brittany is an LA-based, Wisconsin-raised comic. She likes her comedy like she likes her cheese: stanky. Don't be fooled by her girl-next-door looks, her humor is insidious and unapologetic. She can currently be seen on Comedy Central's Stand Up Featuring..... as well as in her Special From Ho to Housewife distributed by 800 Pound Gorilla Records.