As part of We Own The Laughs.com’s Comedian of the Day, have a few laughs and get to know comedian Anthony Bonazzo. The Mahwah, NJ native shares some of his favorite moments in stand-up comedy and explains how he always owns the laughs.
Name: Anthony Bonazzo
Hometown: Mahwah, NJ/Chicago, IL
Instagram/Twitter/Facebook/Snapchat/Tik-Tok: @Comediantrainer
Years in Comedy: 15
Haven’t we seen you somewhere before: My Special Northside/Southside is streaming on YouTube and Tubi and I also have a DryBar Comedy Special out #Thisis45
Comedic Influences: My Dad and Seinfeld and Larry David (and Cosby before you know…)
Favorite Comedy Album: I used to love listening to any old comedy albums and tapes: Cosby, Adam Sandler, Steven Wright I’m not sure I have a favorite Album
Favorite Comedy Special: I loved Colin Quinn’s Red State Blue State. I am a huge CQ fan. I loved a lot of Chappelles specials as well.
Favorite Comedy Movie: Dumb & Dumber
Favorite Comedy TV Show: Seinfeld/Curb Your Enthusiasm
Favorite Comedic Character: Larry David
Favorite City to Perform In: Chicago
Favorite Topics to Joke About: Anything and everything! hypocrisies about things, dating, weird funny things that happen to me, or absurdist view points and misdirections.
Favorite Type of Audience for a Comedy Show: Fun and not tight ready to laugh not drunk
Favorite Comedy Club: Jokes and Notes (RIP) The Comedy Bar, Zanies, Laugh Factory The Improv. (Club Bookers are like comics have to make sure they’re on the list or they’ll get upset)
How did you discover your passion for comedy:
I am one of eight kids. I started young making fun of family members and doing impressions at the dinner table when I was very young. Then when I worked at a gym the staff requested me to hold “Comedy Hour” where everyday at 3pm when it was slow I would tell stories about encounters at the gym or do impressions of the staff. Eventually I moved to Chicago and pursued comedy.
What do you remember most about your first time performing stand-up comedy:
I blacked out after and fell asleep on the ride home. I was nervous but did well. I waited until the last minute to sign up the night before and then barely slept. I did The Richmond Funny Bone Amateur Comedy Night. I just remember there was a lot of people and a lot of nerves. Some just said they wanted to try it and get it out of their system. This Dad was so nice and said he always just wanted to try it and I was shocked when he came out and started humping the floor. One guy told me he was so nervous he had been peeing all day and thought he had a bladder infection. I told him if he bombed to use that because it was funny. He was a door guy and started bombing and said he was so nervous he peed so much he thought he had a bladder infection and everyone started booing him. I felt terrible. But I remember doing well enough that I thought “I can do this” the next month I went to an open mic and a lady saw me and booked her on her show there. I did well again but not enough to make me want to do it anytime soon. I waited another year or two.
How would you describe your comedic style:
Quick witted, fast, absurdist.
Describe your process for comedic writing:
I just see things in my day to day life and think “That’s funny!” or try and see if there’s a way I can shape it to make it funny. Within that you sort of find your own point of view or take on things. I try not to have too much of a process because I feel like it’s just comedy that will stress me out so I just keep it light. And things always come to me.
Describe the comedy scene in your area:
It’s stacked with shows and open mics nearly every night. Chicago is great for getting reps in and stage time. It’s a mix, really. It’s somewhat segregated: hipster rooms, black rooms, Latino rooms, clubs, but maybe that’s anywhere. You rarely see a crossover, which I think is one of my strengths. I will perform anywhere.
How do you judge success in the world of comedy:
I feel like if you’re happy and growing and able to make a living you are successful. But obviously everyone aspires to be on late night or get a special on a streaming platform since that’s how the world sort of judges you. But it’s all changing now and there are so many options to be seen with tiktok and instagram and social media. We can literally somewhat control our own destiny now.
Who are some of your comedic peers that you enjoy watching perform or inspire you personally and professionally:
Roy Wood Jr. we met at a show a few years ago and has been available to me if I have questions and advice and is just a solid performer and writer. And person. And Jessica Kirson. I opened for her a few times and learned so much from watching her. She is a triple threat on stage and also one of the nicest people I’ve ever worked with. Both are just solid comics and people.
What’s been your most memorable moment in comedy:
Opening for Michael Che and Adam Carolla at major Theaters in Chicago.
What have you learned most from your failures in comedy:
That you can always get back on stage the next night and it’s a new night. No one remembers anything unless you do something outlandish and you get canceled for it.
How do people react toward you when they realize that you can make people laugh:
They either close off like “He can’t get me to laugh!” or they let their guard down and just let loose and allow themselves to be entertained. I prefer the latter.
Describe building a career in stand-up comedy:
There isn’t enough space here 😂But take your time. Enjoy learning about the business the good and the bad. Take the L’s with the W’s realize nothing is fair and nothing fair will happen. And if you work hard it may not get you anything. Or you will. There’s no linear timeline. BUT you still should work hard to grow, and be better on and off stage and I am convinced the universe rewards you because of your love and passion for it. And just tenure. So many people get frustrated (rightfully so) and quit too soon. Have a job that can support you while you are building your career. A flexible one. I have been a Personal Trainer for fifteen years and built my own private business. It’s sometimes exhausting working and doing comedy at night but I have great clients and a flexible schedule so it works for me. I got to go to LA for almost a month and just worked with everyone virtually. A few years ago I wouldn’t be able to have done something like that
If you could change one thing in the world of comedy, what would it be:
For people to lighten up a bit. Realize just like food not everyone is for everyone and that is OK. We don’t need to ruin people’s lives over jokes. Bring back something like Last Comic Standing or a showcase style show where comics have the chance to be seen by people who can help elevate their careers. Not just Tiktok. And where a non partisan party is judging you. So many times Bookers pick their favorites or their friends for opportunities but that gets muddy too because you aren’t being diplomatic with who you’re helping elevate. We need to something in comedy where we can allow people to showcase their talents again. Too many Bookers have gotten lazy and book who has a social media following NOT who is funny. And that has backfired. Recently I worked at a Club and the headliner was a TikTok star with thousands of followers. He got really nervous and ended up telling me that he couldn’t Headline because he didn’t have the material and then did 10 minutes and left the show. I had to Headline. It ended up going great but I wish more clubs cared about finding the best comedians not just what is easier to book or social media numbers. Not just how many followers they have. Some of the funniest comics I know don’t know how to cut a clip or have a huge online following. It’s all changing and evolving so I hope it continues to move in a more comic friendly direction
Best advice you’ve ever received from a comedian:
You’re only as bad as your last set. Shake it off and get to the next one.
If you were releasing a comedy special this week, what would it be called:
“Short & Sweet” or “Black A Little Bit”
Funniest encounter you’ve ever had with a celebrity:
One time Louie Anderson was headlining but didn’t want to do the late show so he had his Feature headline and I featured. I came in and and we talked for a bit. And then this older family came into the green room. They started crying when they saw him because they were lifelong fans. He then yelled “Help me up Anthony help me up!” cause he was stuck in the chair. So I am literally pulling Louie Anderson out of this chair and he’s yelling “Watch the back Anthony! watch the back!” he finally got up and hugged all of them. Meanwhile I’m just trying to eat my burger real quick cause I’m about to go up. So I take one bite and Louie goes “Anthony take our picture come on!” so I drop the burger, snap the pic and hear them announcing “Give it up for your Feature act Anthony Bonazzo!” so I wipe the ketchup from my mouth and ran on stage to perform. What a night.
Weirdest place you’ve ever performed any form of comedy:
A boxing ring
An Anthony Bonazzo Fun Fact:
I am one of eight kids and have six sisters. And I am also a Personal Trainer!
Where would you like your laughs to take you:
I’d love to get a writing job. Something consistent where I could also do stand up on the road or on the side and get the best of both worlds both consistently and financially. That would be ideal
What would you tell a potential comedian if they ask you how they can own the laughs:
Be true to yourself. Write what you find funny not what you THINK people will find funny.
What are your thoughts on the future of comedy:
I think it’s going to shift from crowd work back to more written material. And I hope it goes back to people not feeling so comfortable interrupting shows and taking things so literally. We need to make audiences scared again.
If you could write an episode for ONE classic TV sitcom, which show would it be:
It would be about my senior prom and how I got thrown out because my date was drunk. It ended up being an epic weekend even though I was so sad to miss my senior prom. Maybe Growing Pains?
If you could choose ONE comedy club and THREE comedians to perform with on your perfect comedy show, how would it go:
Me, Seinfeld, Larry David, and Bill Burr. Larry probably wouldn’t perform but would be funnier than all of us!
What’s next for you:
I’m taping a Special for Only Fans in Chicago June 10th!
Why should a person always laugh at life:
Because everything and everyone are too serious. We aren’t gonna remember stressing out over bills. But we will remember the hilarious moments that are a part of our everyday. We just have to take the time to slow down and see comedy is literally all around us.
Follow Anthony Bonazzo’s comedic journey on these social media websites:
Instagram/Twitter/Facebook/Snapchat/Tik-Tok: Anthony Bonazzo
Youtube: Anthony Bonazzo
Personal Website: Anthony Bonazzo
