As part of We Own The Laughs.com’s Comedian of the Day, have a few laughs and get to know comedian Ruben Ramirez. The Joliet, IL native shares some of his favorite moments in stand-up comedy and explains how he always owns the laughs.
Name: Ruben Ramirez
Hometown: Joliet, IL
Instagram/Twitter/Facebook/Snapchat/Tik-Tok: @__rubenramirez
Years in Comedy: 4
Haven’t we seen you somewhere before: BET+ “North of the 10”
Comedic Influences: Kevin Hart, Nate Jackson, & Carlos Ballarta
Favorite Comedy Album: Richard Pryor “Live On The Sunset Strip”
Favorite Comedy Special: Kevin Hart “Laugh At My Pain”
Favorite Comedy Movie: Friday
Favorite Comedy TV Show: Chapelle’s Show
Favorite Comedic Character: Chespirito
Favorite City to Perform In: Niles, MI
Favorite Topics to Joke About: Tortas
Favorite Type of Audience for a Comedy Show: A crowd that has been to a comedy show before…if you know…you know.
Favorite Comedy Club: The Comedy Bar
How did you discover your passion for comedy:
Other endeavors didn’t pop like I needed it to…so I decided to have full focus on stand up as it was my side gig for awhile.
What do you remember most about your first time performing stand-up comedy:
I lied to the booker and said I’ve been doing it for awhile and so he put me up right before the headliner with a 15 minute set. I unfortunately did well so I didn’t learn much…but I did go on a string of bombings shortly after that built character.
How would you describe your comedic style:
Energy
Describe your process for comedic writing:
Just analyzing my real life encounters good and bad. If I can make a joke out of a bad time in life, maybe others relate and we can all laugh at our pain.
Describe the comedy scene in your area:
Chicago is a great city for diversity. They have rooms for all levels of comedy and that always helps fresh comics but also teaches them to push to work harder so they can get into the bigger and better rooms.
How do you judge success in the world of comedy:
Laughs, Laughs, & Laughs
Who are some of your comedic peers that you enjoy watching perform or inspire you personally and professionally:
Ken Flores, Vik Pandya, Kev Herrera, & Craig Conant
What’s been your most memorable moment in comedy:
Selling out 3 shows in one night on a evening that I self produced to prove to myself and others that I can put asses in seats AND hit multiple in a night.
What have you learned most from your failures in comedy:
You learn the most when you fail. Bombing isn’t the end of the world BUT don’t delete the footage, keep it to analyze what you can do to develop a joke.
How do people react toward you when they realize that you can make people laugh:
They now feel as if they can give career advice and “little skits” I can use.
Describe building a career in stand-up comedy:
Don’t let Imposter Syndrome get to you. You are in the position you are in cuz you deserve it. Good or bad.
If you could change one thing in the world of comedy, what would it be:
Open mic comedians announcing their opinions on other comedians.
Best advice you’ve ever received from a comedian:
“You can’t cheat the hustle” – Ken Flores
If you were releasing a comedy special this week, what would it be called:
“La Carne Asada”
Funniest encounter you’ve ever had with a celebrity:
My brother Mario Canon, I cut in line at Giordano’s and said that he was Russell Westbrook. We got sat down immediately.
Weirdest place you’ve ever performed any form of comedy:
VFW in Pekin, Illinois
A Ruben Ramirez Fun Fact:
I lied to a promoter in Chicago (shoutout b-side) and said I can perform 15 mins and he threw me up right before the headliner. I unfortunately did well so I learned nothing and thought comedy would be smooth sailing (Laughs)
Where would you like your laughs to take you:
Out of the country!
What would you tell a potential comedian if they ask you how they can own the laughs:
Read the audience
What are your thoughts on the future of comedy:
It’s going to be filled with tons of new talent. Excited to see who’s next to shine!
If you could choose ONE comedy club and THREE comedians to perform with on your perfect comedy show, how would it go:
The Improv Schaumburg- Ken Flores, Carlos Ballarta, & Andrew Schulz
What’s next for you:
I’ll be performing as a headliner much more often and I’m excited to travel this year as well. I will be headlining the Venturino’s comedy club in Estero, Florida April 22nd and 23rd and The Comedy Bar June 7th & 8th in Chicago, IL.
Why should a person always laugh at life:
Because feeling bad for yourself will never be better than pushing forward.
Follow Ruben Ramirez’s comedic journey on these social media websites:
Instagram/Twitter/Facebook/Snapchat/Tik-Tok: Ruben Ramirez
Youtube: Ruben Ramirez
