DCRally2007
Carl LaBove is the most talked about comic on the circuit today. His unique show centers around an engaging conversation in which he incorporates quick-witted improvisation and physical reenactments of his tales. “I’ve written my show to be like a movie experience. I grab the audience and take them on an action packed adventure.” In the case of Carl LaBove, it can be said that he is a combination performance artist and stand-up comedian. He is definitely in a league of his own.
“I was always the new guy,” says LaBove. His father was in the military and moving every few years was the norm for his family. “I got tired of trying to fit in at all those new schools, so I developed the “class clown’ personality to make new friends.” This career in stand-up was not a surprise for anyone who knew him. It was his father who actually talked him into giving comedy a shot. “He inspired me to be fearless.” Carl’s first performance was at an open mike night at the age of nineteen in Houston, Texas. The night he stepped on stage for the very first time he meet another aspiring comedian, Sam Kinison, who was also performing for his first time. The two bonded and the assault on comedy was on.
Carl and Sam moved from Houston to Los Angeles and worked as doormen at the world famous Comedy Store until Sam got a break on Rodney Dangerfield’s HBO Young Comedians Special. Kinison became a comedy sensation and he and Carl joined forces. Carl became his special guest on all tours and collaborated on three comedy albums and several specials. They also formed the Outlaws of Comedy, a band of comedic outlaws on and off stage that Carl headlined. Carl lived every comic’s dream, performing three hundred seat rock clubs to seven thousand seat arenas for eight years. The friendship and collaboration tragically ended in April of 1992 when Sam and Carl were in route to a gig in Laughlin. The death of Sam Kinison closed an important chapter in Carl’s life.
After taking a year off to regroup, Carl landed four appearances on The Tonight Show with Jay Leno as well as being cast in a comedy sketch that Jay wrote with Carl in mind. Carl was also cast as a series regular on Roseanne’s late night sketch comedy show, Saturday Night Special, opposite Saturday Night Live. After the show’s run, Carl had guest starring roles on Seinfeld, Roseanne, and The Parenthood, and film roles in Ace Ventura: Pet Detective and independent films. In addition, Carl lent his likeness to the Catch a Rising Star comedy clubs in Las Vegas (MGM Grand) and Reno (Silver Legacy) for the club’s advertisements and promotions. He performed at the hotels for five years until his deal ended in 2000.
“Since I had been performing and growing as a performer in Vegas for so long, I decided it was time to see America again.” Carl put out his first CD “I Used to be a Outlaw: What Happened?” and promoted it playing comedy clubs around the country. “I had always played big theaters but the clubs are so intimate...I’m lovin it!” And the love fest is mutual. “He’s just the ultimate pro,” says Linda Corke of the New York Improv. “You watch him having fun on stage and you just can’t help but wonder what kind of TV show he’s gonna end up with, cause this guy is phenomenal!”
Mr. LaBove is currently co-starring as Pauley Shore’s insincere agent in Shore’s new film “Pauley is Dead.” He is also promoting his first filmed performance “A Night at the Frolic,” a film shot by award winning director Sarah McAnally soon to be released on DVD. |
