In a land where Kanye is constantly chasing Kim, this man is too busy to notice because he continues to catch all of his goals and dreams at every turn. As part of We Own The Laughs.com’s Comedian of the Day, have a few laughs and get to know comedian Ben Gonzalez. The Los Angeles, CA native shares some of his favorite moments in stand-up comedy and lets us know how he always owns the laughs.
Name: Ben Gonzalez
Hometown: Los Angeles, CA
Instagram/Twitter/Facebook/Snapchat/Tik-Tok: @ben9humor
Years in Comedy: 10
Haven’t we seen you somewhere before: I was the host of HBO’s “Entre Nos” series
Comedic Influences: Chris Rock, Steven Wright, Mitch Hedburg, & Norm Macdonald
Favorite Comedy Album: Mitch Hedburg “Mitch All Together”
Favorite Comedy Special: Chris Rock “Bring The Pain”
Favorite Comedy Movie: Coming to America
Favorite Comedy TV Show: The Simpsons
Favorite Comedic Character: Homer Simpson
Favorite City to Perform In: Austin, TX, NYC, & Bakersfield, CA
Favorite Topics to Joke About: Whatever I think people relate to but aren’t saying. Stuff everyone knows but no one thinks of.
Favorite Type of Audience for a Comedy Show: I love that I have audiences that really pay attention & love stand up. I hear people explaining my joke to the person next to them & then they all laugh. Or they tell me my jokes back to me & why they love them. It’s really cool.
Favorite Comedy Club: The Ice House, Westside Comedy Theater, & The Comedy Store
How did you discover your passion for comedy:
Since the first stand-up comedy, I saw when I was a kid I thought it was awesome & watched all that I could. I loved trying to stay up to watch Late Night with David Letterman when it was on at 12:30 & I was little.
What do you remember most about your first time performing stand-up comedy:
It was the laugh factory Hollywood open mic. I didn’t know it was to audition for the club, I just thought it was an open mic. I was bad but I thought I was really good.
How would you describe your comedic style:
I try to do stuff that sounds familiar, but no one else does it. I like to sound very smart & very stupid at the exact same time. I want everyone to know what I mean, & wish they thought of it.
Describe your process for comedic writing:
I think of an idea. Put it on my phone, & work it out on stage. I don’t write down the entire joke word for word ever. I just keep tweaking it on stage til I think it’s done or it’s not good to me anymore.
Describe the comedy scene in your area:
Immense, huge, too nice & supportive probably
How do you judge success in the world of comedy:
I don’t know, money, fans, & respect I guess. Everyone has different goals & measures success differently.
Who are some of your comedic peers that you enjoy watching perform or inspire you personally and professionally:
There’s a ton, Orlando Leyba, Gene Pompa, Sammy Obeid, Luz Pazos.
What’s been your most memorable moment in comedy:
Being the 1st comic to appear on what’s now the biggest stand-up series on HBO.
What have you learned most from your failures in comedy:
It’s not them, it’s you. Shut up, work harder, and get better.
How do people react towards you when they realize that you can make people laugh:
They like me a lot more & are nicer to me.
Describe what it’s been like building a career in stand-up comedy:
Devastating, would not recommend it. You have to be slightly insane to stick with this.
If you could change one thing in the world of comedy, what would it be:
I wish people were more honest with each other & themselves.
Best advice you’ve ever received from a comedian:
Don’t do bringer shows.
If you were releasing a comedy special this week, what would it be called:
I’m recording one in a few months, it’s gonna be called “BDE”.
Funniest encounter you’ve ever had with a celebrity:
“The Dude” from The Big Lewbowski asked if he could crash at my house one night after he came to my show.
Weirdest place you’ve ever performed any form of comedy:
In a yogurt shop, right next to the register, while it was still open & people were buying yogurt.
A Ben Gonzalez Fun Fact:
I have directly helped to save hundreds of lives, literally.
Where would you like your laughs to take you:
However far I can. I already did things I never thought I’d do.
What would you tell a potential comedian if they ask you how they can own the laughs:
It’s gonna take a ton of time, work, writing, editing, & eating a lot of shit. But that’s the only way.
What are your thoughts on the future of comedy:
The future of comedy is gonna be a bunch of people trying to get paid off of the same ideas over and over.
If you could write one episode for one classic TV sitcom which show would it be and give a brief detailed sentence on the episode:
King Of The Hill & would center on Joe Jack trying to get Cotton to join his church.
If you could choose 1 comedy club and 3 comedians to perform with on your perfect comedy show, how would it go:
The J Spot in Inglewood, CA with Mark Twain, Gallagher, & Steve Harvey.
What’s next for you:
I’m filming a special & recording an album this summer & developing a TV series.
Why should a person always laugh at life:
What else are you gonna do?
Follow Ben Gonzalez’s comedic journey on these social media websites:
Instagram/Twitter/Facebook/Snapchat/Tik-Tok: @ben9humor
Youtube: Ben Gonzalez
