He’s a comedian from the Central Valley of California with a stage presence that will take him all around the world. As part of We Own The Laughs.com’s Comedian of the Day, have a few laughs and get to know comedian. The Fresno, CA native shares some of his favorite moments in stand-up comedy and lets us know how he always own the laughs.
Name: Chris Cruz
Hometown: Fresno, CA
Instagram/Twitter/Facebook/Snapchat/Tik-Tok: @chriscruzcomedy @christhecomediancruz @cruzinUSA
Years in Comedy: 13
Comedic Influences: Pablo Francisco, Daniel Tosh, Dave Chappelle, & Dane Cook
Favorite Comedy Album: Adam Sandler
Favorite Comedy Special: Ari Shaffir “Jew”
Favorite Comedy Movie: Grandma’s Boys
Favorite Comedy TV Show: Curb Your Enthusiasm
Favorite Comedic Character: Robin Williams
Favorite City to Perform In: Bakersfield, CA
Favorite Topics to Joke About: Nerd Culture
Favorite Type of Audience for a Comedy Show: 30-40 year old MMA fans
Favorite Comedy Club: The Comedy Store in Los Angeles, CA
How did you discover your passion for comedy:
Took a chance one day on an open mic , did better than I thought I would, got addicted to the feeling.
What do you remember most about your first time performing stand-up comedy:
How dry my throat got.
How would you describe your comedic style:
High energy bro humor.
Describe your process for comedic writing:
Think of it , play with the idea , find a funny punchline , right then and there I’ll know if the joke is good , but if it’s on the fence I’ll test it with someone, but if it’s ready to go just try it at an open mic or gig.
Describe the comedy scene in your area:
In Fresno? Man there are so many opportunities to get stage time , we are really spoiled with the amount of mics out there , all thanks to the hard work of our stand up community.
How do you judge success in the world of comedy:
How good you are 1st, how much money you make 2nd.
Who are some of your comedic peers that you enjoy watching perform or inspire you personally and professionally:
Kevin Tienken is a world class act, it’s so funny to watch him perform, also, Kiry Shabazz is probably the best comic performing right now, if you have a chance definitely check this guy out.
What’s been your most memorable moment in comedy:
The time I tombstone a heckler who ran on stage during a performance.
What have you learned most from your failures in comedy:
That they do not define you, and the phrase “you learn more from a loss than a win” makes so much sense, you learn more from a bomb than a kill.
How do people react towards you when they realize that you can make people laugh:
I don’t think this is a real question anyone has ever asked or answered.
Describe what it’s been like building a career in stand-up comedy:
There are many paths in show business, ultimately stand up is show business, everyone does things differently, for me, I just tried my best to make people laugh and get paid gigs.
If you could change one thing in the world of comedy, what would it be:
The way women get treated in stand up.
Best advice you’ve ever received from a comedian:
“Always be on time, be a good hang, and learn to be nice to the right people.”
If you were releasing a comedy special this week, what would it be called:
I am recording a comedy special this week , and I don’t know what I’m calling it.
Funniest encounter you’ve ever had with a celebrity:
Seeing Rob Van Dam interact with cholos at a strip club in Fresno was something I think back to and laugh every time.
Weirdest place you’ve ever performed any form of comedy:
Did a bacon festival at 2 o’clock in the afternoon, it was mad weird.
A Chris Cruz’s Fun Fact:
wizzle WOZZLE!
Where would you like your laughs to take you:
So I can just not have to work anymore and just make money doing comedy.
What would you tell a potential comedian if they ask you how they can own the laughs:
Doesn’t matter how bad you are, I’ve seen some of the worst of the worst turn into comedy geniuses through sheer effort, the advice I give, never stop moving forward.
What are your thoughts on the future of comedy:
That it’s dying tbh, apps and media are only evolving faster these days, a scenario might come about where we don’t need stand up , or stand up is reduced to a different form, I think things always happen how they happen, so hopefully things workout with comedy.
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:
If I could I wouldn’t
If you could choose 1 comedy club and 3 comedians to perform with on your perfect comedy show, how would it go:
The Well Comedy Club, if it was a perfect night of comedy I wouldn’t be up there, (Laughs), But seriously my favorite three comics to watch live would be Ian Edwards, Kiry Shabazz, and Sam Tripoli
What’s next for you:
Gonna try putting out more content and see where that takes me.
Why should a person always laugh at life:
True laughter is involuntary, but, I guess the spirit of the question would be, just to keep yourself sane man, this life is so hard and full of obstacles, laughing when you can is important to stay centered, not get too negative yanno?
Follow Chris Cruz’s comedic journey on these social media websites:
Instagram/Twitter/Facebook/Snapchat/Tik-Tok: @chriscruzcomedy
Youtube: Chris Cruz
