A triple, or better yet quadruple-threat actress, comedian, writer, and model well known for her sketches and literature. As part of We Own The Laughs.com’s Comedian of the Day, have a few laughs and get to know comedian Noel Leon. The Sacramento, CA native shares some of her favorite moments in stand-up comedy and lets us know how she always owns the laughs.
Name: Noel Leon
Hometown: Sacramento, CA
Instagram: @noelleoninsta
Years in Comedy: 6
Haven’t we seen you somewhere before: Sherman’s Showcase on Hulu (Season 2) created by the amazingly talented Diallo Riddle.
Comedic Influences: My favorite comedian is David Spade. I was lucky enough to do a sketch with him for social media when I was first starting out in comedy. Otherwise, I’m obsessed with Jim Carey and Jeff Ross
Favorite Comedy Special: Jenny Slate’s special on Netflix, Stage Fright, is my absolute favorite! I love her quirky personality, authenticity, and view of life.
Favorite Comedy Movie: I have so many… But if I had to choose one, it would be Sister’s Act with Whoopi Goldberg. It’s a classic!
Favorite Comedy TV Show: Oh Hello: Too Much Tuna on Netflix based on the Broadway play by Nick Kroll and John Mulaney. Or, Pretend It’s A City with Fran Lebowitz and Martin Scorsese.
Favorite Comedic Character: Patton Oswalt’s trolling expert character, “Thor83,” in Portlandia.
Favorite City to Perform In: New York. I love the energy!
Favorite Topics to Joke About: My fumbles: I give myself my own best material.
Favorite Type of Audience for a Comedy Show: People who truly need a laugh. Times are tough and I feel very blessed to be able to spread a bit of joy.
Favorite Comedy Club: The Comedy Store in Los Angeles. It’s a legendary venue, and most likely haunted.
How did you discover your passion for comedy:
I’ve always been a bit of an oddball. I think humor is the spice of life. I suppose I truly discovered my passion for comedy from my very eccentric entertaining FOB Italian family.
What do you remember most about your first time performing stand-up comedy:
Being excited and feeling relieved to have a group of people to laugh with. I felt like I finally found my place and my people.
How would you describe your comedic style:
My comedic style is perhaps quirky and offbeat. I think people expect one thing and get another when they watch my comedy. It’s truly chaotic but enjoyable.
Describe your process for comedic writing:
Coffee. Coffee. Chocolate. And more coffee. When I was writing my first and second books as well as my Christmas movie, An Inappropriate Christmas Movie, each thought originated in my coffee mug. Only once I had observed and digested the caffeine could I put it on the page.
Describe the comedy scene in your area:
Los Angeles is a thriving hub of talented comics. It’s great! There’s always at least one or two comics you can relate to! I’ve met my closest friends through the LA comedy scene.
How do you judge success in the world of comedy:
Finding your niche, whether that be on stage or in writing… I define success in comedy as finding your community, your people to create and laugh with. Because success and happiness are best shared.
Who are some of your comedic peers that you enjoy watching perform or inspire you personally and professionally:
Or Mash, Jiaoying Summers, Mark Hayes, Tehran Von Ghasri, Paul Eliah, Ian Edwards… to name a few.
What’s been your most memorable moment in comedy:
Performing at the Comedy Store after being a fan in the audience for so long. Pauly Shore and Scotty Shore are truly sparking joy in a new generation of comics, keeping the legacy of their mom Mitzi Shore (the founder) alive. Also, the amazing reception to my first book, A Very Inappropriate Short Story Book, was heartwarming.
What have you learned most from your failures in comedy:
That it’s important to learn from failures. It’s cliche and it doesn’t seem like it at the time, but they truly are the greatest blessings.
How do people react towards you when they realize that you can make people laugh:
People are usually shocked when they find my jokes funny. Because there are still certain stereotypes about attractive female comics. And then they proceed to tell me a joke they’ve heard… usually one about an Italian or Jew.
Describe what it’s been like building a career in stand-up comedy:
More work than it seems but well worth the effort.
If you could change one thing in the world of comedy, what would it be:
We need more equality in comedy. I’m still going on shows where the booker tells me: “We can’t have two female comics back to back.”
Best advice you’ve ever received from a comedian:
“Enjoy it.” Brody Stevens said that. If you’re not having fun on stage the audience won’t be able to have fun with you. Joy is contagious and life’s too short not to laugh.
If you were releasing a comedy special this week, what would it be called:
“Inappropriate” much like everything I say and do.
Funniest encounter you’ve ever had with a celebrity:
I don’t know if big comedians are considered “celebrities.” But I think it’s hilarious that I asked Ari Shaffir to karaoke with me immediately upon meeting him at the Comedy Cellar in New York. I then proceeded to make him watch me sing (terribly) alone on stage for an entire hour at a dive karaoke bar in the west village. He was very kind to oblige. I think the painful footage still exists somewhere on my iCloud.
Weirdest place you’ve ever performed any form of comedy:
I lost a bet with a friend. So I had to perform my stand-up set on the subway in New York on the way to a show. It was the weirdest experience I’ve ever had. There was lots of uncomfortable eye contact. Would not recommend it.
A Noel Leon Fun Fact:
I’m a huge nerd. I read two to three books a week. It’s my therapy, how I zen out.
Where would you like your laughs to take you:
I love writing comedy films and acting. Infusing the two, writing funny films that I can act in with my hilarious comedian friends, is the dream.
What would you tell a potential comedian if they ask you how they can own the laughs:
Laugh at yourself and others will laugh with you.
What are your thoughts on the future of comedy:
Comedy is progressing into a more liberating space where people of all genders, ethnicities, and sexual orientations can have a voice.
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:
I would love to write for SNL. But a sitcom… Big Mouth! I’m a huge fan of Nick Kroll and adult animation.
If you could choose 1 comedy club and 3 comedians to perform with on your perfect comedy show, how would it go:
The Comedy Store’s Main Room with Or Mash, David Spade, and Jim Carey. We would reenact old SNL sketches and tell jokes in between each.
What’s next for you:
I’m currently in pre-production for my Christmas film, An Inappropriate Christmas Movie, that’s an adaptation of my first book: A Very Inappropriate Short Story Book. And I’m writing comedy pieces for popular satire publications as well as editing my second book, For the Love of Bagels. However, my ultimate goal is to get an audition for SNL. (I think even just getting an audition is a huge accomplishment in this industry.)
Why should a person always laugh at life:
.Because laughter is profoundly healing and cathartic.
Follow Noel Leon’s comedic journey on these social media websites:
Instagram/Twitter/Facebook/Snapchat/Tik-Tok: @noelleoninsta @noelleonwrites
Youtube: Noel Leon
