Comedian Jerrod Carmichael is rapidly becoming recognized as one of the funniest comedians on the planet. It is hard to believe that he made his move to Los Angeles to pursue a career in entertainment less than a decade ago. When he arrived in Los Angeles, his first stop was at an open mic night at the Comedy Store, and as they say, the rest is history. Here we are, nearly nine years later, and his Funny of Die comedy special is being filmed in the same room where it all began. What makes Carmichael stand out among his colleagues is his low-key approach and his conversational style of comedy. No, he is not as animated as a Chris Rock or Kevin Hart, but many would argue that he is just as funny.
To bring you up to speed on this talented comedian, we decided to list five things that you did not know about him.
1. He’s Got Clout In One of The Most Legendary Comedy Venues in the Country
For the longest time, video cameras were banned in the Original Room, a set where greats like Richard Prior, Jim Carrey, Roseanne and Robin Williams displayed their talents, but now everyone is wanting to get a glimpse of the talent, and Jerrod Carmichael is not disappointing them. According to Carmichael, he honed his comedic skills on that stage, having some of the best and worst performances of his career right there. He said that because of this experience, it was really important for him to have his special there.
2. Spike Lee is a Huge Fan
When a person is looking to make a significant splash in a particular industry, it is always a huge boost to know that someone who has already made their mark appreciates their work. Well, it turns out that Spike Lee is a huge fan of Jerrod. He has been a fan of Jerrod long before he was approached about doing the special. So, when Spike was approached about doing the special, it didn’t take much convincing at all.
Despite His Youth, He is Comfortable on Stage
Normally it takes young comedians some time to get comfortable with being on the stage, but it seems that Carmichael is a natural. According to a good friend, Jamar Neighbors, while he had to tell Jerrod to slow down the pace of his delivery when he first arrived, he has always been confident and comfortable with himself. Jerrod is one of the few comedians who didn’t have to go through the process of finding their voice; he has always had his from the start.
He Will Actually Pull Out His Notebook During a Set
One of the things that Spike Lee loves about Jerrod is his willingness to engage in social commentary that many other comedians will shy away from. He has become so comfortable in being able to engage controversial issues while keeping the mood light that he will even pull out his notebook in the middle of a set to draw inspiration or insight on a particular topic.
The Ability to Remain Focus is a Primary Asset
Being in Hollywood comes with multitudinous distractions, making it immensely difficult to maintain focus, which is how many who attempt to make it lose their way. Jerrod has the ability to maintain a laser focus – always knowing what he is doing and where he is going. He has a ritual and a system that works for him, and make the most of it. He has committed himself to being around for the long haul.
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