brian regan • saturday night headliner
Growing up, Regan said his comedy influences were Johnny Carson, Steve Martin and the Smothers Brothers.
Regan – whose older brother, Dennis, was part of the 2013 Great American Comedy Festival, finishing second in the professional stand-up competition – made his first appearance on “The Late Show with David Letterman” in 1995 and has performed on the show about 30 times.
He has released two critically acclaimed comedy DVDs and set a record for five sold-out shows at a performance hall in Salt Lake City, Utah, eclipsing the previous record of four straight sold-out shows by Jerry Seinfeld. He typically tours and performs in theaters in 80 cities each year.
He’s best known for turning mundane situations – like going to the eye doctor to get fitted for glasses, or trying to decide how many Fig Newtons to eat in one setting – into side-splitting stand-up material.
Regan – whose older brother, Dennis, was part of the 2013 Great American Comedy Festival, finishing second in the professional stand-up competition – made his first appearance on “The Late Show with David Letterman” in 1995 and has performed on the show about 30 times.
He has released two critically acclaimed comedy DVDs and set a record for five sold-out shows at a performance hall in Salt Lake City, Utah, eclipsing the previous record of four straight sold-out shows by Jerry Seinfeld. He typically tours and performs in theaters in 80 cities each year.
He’s best known for turning mundane situations – like going to the eye doctor to get fitted for glasses, or trying to decide how many Fig Newtons to eat in one setting – into side-splitting stand-up material.
louie anderson • thursday & friday headliner
Comedian, author and actor Louie Anderson — who was a featured performer at the 2011 Great American Comedy Festival in Norfolk — will be making a return trip this summer for the 2015 festival. “He was so funny and great to have with us back in 2011. We’re very excited to have him again be part of the festival,” said Paula Pflueger, chairwoman of the 2015 event set for Wednesday, June 17, through Sunday, June 20.
Anderson has been described as one of the most versatile and successful comedians working in Hollywood today. His big break came in 1984 with his debut performance for Johnny Carson on “The Tonight Show.”
“Every comic, especially from my era and before, needed to be on Johnny Carson to be relevant. That’s the HBO. That’s the Comedy Central. That’s the YouTube of that time. Johnny was it,” Anderson said during his first appearance in Norfolk. He went on to perform at standing-room-only crowds in Las Vegas, hosted for several years the “Family Feud” television series and is the author of several best-selling children’s books.
In 1995, Anderson put his creative energies to work on the Saturday morning animated series “Life with Louie.” The long-running series based on his own childhood and his life with his father won three Humanitas Prizes for writing on a children’s animated series, making him the only three-time recipient of this award. Anderson said his comedy routine these days reminds him of his roots when he appeared on “The Tonight Show” that first time. “I have a chance to cheer people up and have them forget about their troubles,” he said. “In this current world, that’s a great honor and a blessing.”
Anderson has been described as one of the most versatile and successful comedians working in Hollywood today. His big break came in 1984 with his debut performance for Johnny Carson on “The Tonight Show.”
“Every comic, especially from my era and before, needed to be on Johnny Carson to be relevant. That’s the HBO. That’s the Comedy Central. That’s the YouTube of that time. Johnny was it,” Anderson said during his first appearance in Norfolk. He went on to perform at standing-room-only crowds in Las Vegas, hosted for several years the “Family Feud” television series and is the author of several best-selling children’s books.
In 1995, Anderson put his creative energies to work on the Saturday morning animated series “Life with Louie.” The long-running series based on his own childhood and his life with his father won three Humanitas Prizes for writing on a children’s animated series, making him the only three-time recipient of this award. Anderson said his comedy routine these days reminds him of his roots when he appeared on “The Tonight Show” that first time. “I have a chance to cheer people up and have them forget about their troubles,” he said. “In this current world, that’s a great honor and a blessing.”
brian kiley • thursday & friday host
Comedian, author and actor Louie Anderson — who was a featured performer at the 2011 Great American Comedy in Norfolk — will be making a return trip this summer for the 2015 festival. “He was so funny and great to have with us back in 2011. We’re very excited to have him again be part of the festival,” said Paula Pflueger, chairwoman of the 2015 event set for Wednesday, June 17, through Sunday, June 20.
Anderson has been described as one of the most versatile and successful comedians working in Hollywood today. His big break came in 1984 with his debut performance for Johnny Carson on “The Tonight Show.”
“Every comic, especially from my era and before needed to be on Johnny Carson to be relevant. That’s the HBO. That’s the Comedy Central. That’s the YouTube of that time. Johnny was it,” Anderson said during his first appearance in Norfolk. He went on to perform at standing-room-only crowds in Las Vegas, hosted for several years the “Family Feud” television series and is the author of several best-selling children’s books.
In 1995, Anderson put his creative energies to work on the Saturday morning animated series “Life with Louie.” The long-running series based on his own childhood and his life with his father won three Humanitas Prizes for writing on a children’s’ animated series, making him the only three-time recipient of this award. Anderson said his comedy routine these days reminds him of his roots when he appeared on “The Tonight Show” that first time. “I have a chance to cheer people up and have them forget about their troubles,” he said. “In this current world, that’s a great honor and a blessing.”
Anderson has been described as one of the most versatile and successful comedians working in Hollywood today. His big break came in 1984 with his debut performance for Johnny Carson on “The Tonight Show.”
“Every comic, especially from my era and before needed to be on Johnny Carson to be relevant. That’s the HBO. That’s the Comedy Central. That’s the YouTube of that time. Johnny was it,” Anderson said during his first appearance in Norfolk. He went on to perform at standing-room-only crowds in Las Vegas, hosted for several years the “Family Feud” television series and is the author of several best-selling children’s books.
In 1995, Anderson put his creative energies to work on the Saturday morning animated series “Life with Louie.” The long-running series based on his own childhood and his life with his father won three Humanitas Prizes for writing on a children’s’ animated series, making him the only three-time recipient of this award. Anderson said his comedy routine these days reminds him of his roots when he appeared on “The Tonight Show” that first time. “I have a chance to cheer people up and have them forget about their troubles,” he said. “In this current world, that’s a great honor and a blessing.”
kevin pollak • 2015 johnny carson comedy legend award winner
Kevin Pollak has captured the attention of audiences worldwide with his range of both dramatic and comedic roles. He has appeared in over 70 films, as well as countless television projects, and has established himself as one of the few stand-up comedians to have a successful dramatic film career. In addition to his acting talents, he has also proven himself as both a writer, producer and recently a director and a talk show host.
Pollak starred in two of his own HBO stand-up comedy specials and was named by Comedy Central as one of the Top 100 Comedians of all Time. His two Live Stand-Up CDs, “A Little Off the Top” and “What Are the Chances” are available at Kevinpollak.tv or on iTunes.
As the 20th century came to a close, Variety named it's top 10 hardest working film actors, the criteria of which was that said actors had to have done at least three films per year, each year of the 1990's. Kevin was on the list.
As a director, Kevin directs the feature film documentary, Misery Loves Comedy
Pollak starred in two of his own HBO stand-up comedy specials and was named by Comedy Central as one of the Top 100 Comedians of all Time. His two Live Stand-Up CDs, “A Little Off the Top” and “What Are the Chances” are available at Kevinpollak.tv or on iTunes.
As the 20th century came to a close, Variety named it's top 10 hardest working film actors, the criteria of which was that said actors had to have done at least three films per year, each year of the 1990's. Kevin was on the list.
As a director, Kevin directs the feature film documentary, Misery Loves Comedy
Wednesday Night Magic & More Talents
derek hughes • Magic & more host
Derek Hughes is a magician in demand. He's created original deception for MTV's Room 401, Justin Willman's YouTube series Magic Meltdown, and Michael Carbonaro's hilarious appearances as the Magic Clerk on The Tonight Show with Jay Leno. He was featured as a celebrity magic coach on the VH1 reality series Celebracadabra and appeared on Comedy Central's Gong Show.
He performs regularly at the Magic Castle in Hollywood, California, where he was recently nominated for Parlour Magician of the Year. From being the only magician ever invited to perform at HBO's prestigious Comedy Arts Festival, to filling in for the legendary Mac King at Harrah's in Las Vegas, Derek is truly a unique voice in the art of conjuring. His wry sense of humor and mind-blowing magic have made him one of the most sought after entertainers on college campuses across the county.
He performs regularly at the Magic Castle in Hollywood, California, where he was recently nominated for Parlour Magician of the Year. From being the only magician ever invited to perform at HBO's prestigious Comedy Arts Festival, to filling in for the legendary Mac King at Harrah's in Las Vegas, Derek is truly a unique voice in the art of conjuring. His wry sense of humor and mind-blowing magic have made him one of the most sought after entertainers on college campuses across the county.
the passing zone
Owen Morse and Jon Wee met in 1986 at a juggling convention and instantly knew they were destined to be a team. But they decided to graduate from college first. Which they both did. Rather than pursue careers in economics and psychology, they lit some torches, and started throwing stuff into the air. And things clicked. Two weeks after their first performance together, they won the Silver Medal at the International Juggler's Association Teams Competition. The next year, they won the Gold. That recognition earned an invitation to appear at the renowned Comedy and Magic Club in Los Angeles, where on their first night, they were approached by the "Tonight Show" talent scout and booked for their first national television appearance in September 1990.
Johnny Carson enjoyed them so much they were asked back less than a year later. Their first feature film followed, The Addams Family Movie, where Jon and Owen doubled for Gomez (Raul Julia) and Uncle Fester (Christopher Lloyd) in the climactic Mamushka dagger-passing scene. More recently, they appeared in the award-winning comedy documentary, The Aristocrats.
Johnny Carson enjoyed them so much they were asked back less than a year later. Their first feature film followed, The Addams Family Movie, where Jon and Owen doubled for Gomez (Raul Julia) and Uncle Fester (Christopher Lloyd) in the climactic Mamushka dagger-passing scene. More recently, they appeared in the award-winning comedy documentary, The Aristocrats.
christopher hart
Working in Hollywood gave Christopher the opportunity to meet and perform before the likes of Michael Jackson, Johnny Carson, Muhammad Ali, and Harry Anderson. As Christopher’s reputation grew, he soon came to the attention of David Copperfield.
Impressed with Hart’s knowledge and expertise in the field of magic, Copperfield continued to use Christopher on several more live and television shows including the Great Wall of China special. Hart's talented hands have found him work in several movies and TV spots, including "Idle Hands," "Angel," "Quicksilver Highway," and "Columbo Goes to the Guillotine."
His sleight-of-hand magic has also been featured in national television commercials for McDonald's, Honda, RCA, and others. He has twice been awarded "Stage Magician of the Year" by Hollywood's Magic Castle, and Princess Stephanie of Monaco personally awarded him the top prize at the "Grand Prix Magique" held in Monte Carlo. In 2011, Christopher Hart joined an all-star cast of magicians in the touring show based on the award winning TV series "Masters of Illusion," entitled "Masters of Illusion Live!"
Impressed with Hart’s knowledge and expertise in the field of magic, Copperfield continued to use Christopher on several more live and television shows including the Great Wall of China special. Hart's talented hands have found him work in several movies and TV spots, including "Idle Hands," "Angel," "Quicksilver Highway," and "Columbo Goes to the Guillotine."
His sleight-of-hand magic has also been featured in national television commercials for McDonald's, Honda, RCA, and others. He has twice been awarded "Stage Magician of the Year" by Hollywood's Magic Castle, and Princess Stephanie of Monaco personally awarded him the top prize at the "Grand Prix Magique" held in Monte Carlo. In 2011, Christopher Hart joined an all-star cast of magicians in the touring show based on the award winning TV series "Masters of Illusion," entitled "Masters of Illusion Live!"
tina lenert
Tina has combined silent comedy with a touch of magic to produce a most unusual and enchanting act in which a very sad and frumy cleaning lady is magically transformed and finds happiness.
Her pantomime skills were honed as a founding member of the L.A. Mime Company, a talented group who performed at colleges and appeared on several television series. Her magic skills were developed by being a regular performer and life member of Hollywood’s Magic Castle, where she was voted Stage Magician of the Year by the Academy of Magical Arts & Sciences.
For the past several years, Tina has toured Europe several times, appearing in major theatres including Berlin's Wintergarten, the London Palladium and a performance for the Royal Family in Monte Carlo. Tina has been featured on television in many European, South American and Asian countries. In the United States, she has appeared at Harrah's Reno, Atlantic City and Las Vegas as well as Caesars Palace.
On television she has been featured on the Disney Channel, Nickelodeon, and CBS and NBC Specials.
Her pantomime skills were honed as a founding member of the L.A. Mime Company, a talented group who performed at colleges and appeared on several television series. Her magic skills were developed by being a regular performer and life member of Hollywood’s Magic Castle, where she was voted Stage Magician of the Year by the Academy of Magical Arts & Sciences.
For the past several years, Tina has toured Europe several times, appearing in major theatres including Berlin's Wintergarten, the London Palladium and a performance for the Royal Family in Monte Carlo. Tina has been featured on television in many European, South American and Asian countries. In the United States, she has appeared at Harrah's Reno, Atlantic City and Las Vegas as well as Caesars Palace.
On television she has been featured on the Disney Channel, Nickelodeon, and CBS and NBC Specials.