Just for laughs: Gary Owen schedules a stand-up gig in November
Reporting from Las Vegas — Comedian Gary Owen, dubbed the “Funniest Serviceman in America,†brings his stand-up gig to the Orleans Showroom on Nov. 13 and 14.
As a kid growing up in Cincinnati, the class clown took a shine to comedy. Owen briefly worked as a military police officer in the U.S. Navy, then decided comedy was his true calling.
After working for a year in comedy clubs, he earned a large African American fan base in San Diego. Then Owen auditioned for BET’s “Comic View†in 1997 and after two appearances on the multicultural comedy show, he landed his own hour-long “Grandstand†show. By the end of the season, Owen was picked from the year’s four “Grandstanders†to be the host, making him the only Caucasian to host “Comic View.â€
By 2011, Ebony Magazine named him “Black America’s Favorite White Comedian.â€
“I always say that you don’t choose your audience, they choose you. And black audiences were exposed to me before mainstream wide audiences,†he told Here & Now.
Owen has appeared on three comedy specials on Showtime: the one-hour “True Story,†as host of “Shaquille O’Neal Presents: All Star Comedy Jam — Live from Orlando,†and as a performer on “Mike Epps Presents: Live From Club Nokia.â€
He starred in two other stand-up comedy DVDs, “Breakin’ Out the Park†and “Urban Legend.†His latest comedy special, “I Agree With Myself,†debuted on Showtime in January.
The comedian has a recurring role as Zach the barber on Tyler Perry’s “House of Payne,†and played Bennett in “Think Like a Man†and “Think Like a Man Too.†He starred alongside Ice Cube and Kevin Hart in the comedy “Ride Along†and had supporting roles in “Little Man,†“Daddy Day Care†and “College.â€
Tickets start at $39.95.
Tickets: Orleans Showroom, (702) 284-7777
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