As part of We Own The Laughs.com’s Comedian of the Day, have a few laughs and get to know comedian William Escalera. The Glendale, California native shares some of his favorite moments in stand-up comedy and explains how he always owns the laughs.
Name: William “Big Will” Escalera
Hometown: Glendale, California
Instagram/Tik-Tok: @realiswill
Years in Comedy: 1.5
Haven’t we seen you somewhere before: Featured on Danny Mullen’s YouTube channel alongside Leo Dottavio.
Comedic Influences: Joey Diaz, Joe Manente, Theo Von, Patrice O’Neal, Aries Spears, and Bill Burr.
Favorite Comedy Album: Joey Diaz “Sociably UnAcceptable”
Favorite Comedy Special: Dave Chappelle “Killing Them Softly”
Favorite Comedy Movie: This Is the End
Favorite Comedy TV Show: Eastbound & Down
Favorite Comedic Character: Kenny Powers
Favorite City to Perform In: Los Angeles
Favorite Topics to Joke About: Fast food, sex, chaos, my life, and the way I see the world. Past and current relationships with friends and family.
Favorite Type of Audience for a Comedy Show: People hanging on by a thread. Those are the people who laugh the hardest.
Favorite Comedy Club: Fourth Wall Comedy Cafe
How did you discover your passion for comedy:
Ever since I was in elementary school, I’ve always been telling stories and turning every situation into chaos. Making people laugh just came naturally, and eventually I realized comedy was what I wanted to do.
What do you remember most about your first time performing stand-up comedy:
How natural it felt. I’d spent years making my friends laugh or messing around with customers at the drive-thru, but this time I was doing it through a microphone. It honestly felt like I belonged up there.
How would you describe your comedic style:
Unorganized, high-energy, and honest. Most of my jokes come from whatever happened that day or that week. I just tell people what I experienced and how I saw it.
Describe your process for comedic writing:
If I make my friends laugh in a real conversation, I’ll write it down. Most of my jokes start from something I said without even thinking. If it works in real life, I’ll try it on stage.
Describe the comedy scene in your area:
The comedy scene in Los Angeles has been really supportive. There’s plenty of stage time if you’re willing to go out and earn it, and being around so many funny people makes you want to get better.
How do you judge success in the world of comedy:
By the memories and the friends I make. If I’m making people laugh and having a good time with good people, I’m doing something right.
Who are some of your comedic peers that you enjoy watching perform or inspire you personally and professionally:
Bradley Johnson, Danny Mullen, Leo Dottavio, Joe Manente, and Mike Sasson. They’re all funny in completely different ways, and being around them pushes me to keep getting better.
What’s been your most memorable moment in comedy:
Producing my own show, The Will Show. Seeing people actually come out and support something I built was a crazy feeling, and it turned out to be a successful night.
What have you learned most from your failures in comedy:
When a joke doesn’t land, you keep going. One bad joke doesn’t define your set.
How do people react toward you when they realize that you can make people laugh:
Honestly, they’re usually not surprised. I’ve always been the guy making people laugh.
Describe building a career in stand-up comedy:
Building a career in comedy takes patience. Nobody’s going to hand you anything. You have to create your own opportunities, keep showing up, and trust that it’ll all pay off.
If you could change one thing in the world of comedy, what would it be:
Nothing. Everyone has their own style and their own audience. That’s what makes comedy fun.
Best advice you’ve ever received from a comedian:
Don’t try to be somebody else. Be yourself.
If you were releasing a comedy special this week, what would it be called:
“The Life of Will”
Funniest encounter you’ve ever had with a celebrity:
Honestly, every time I’m around Danny Mullen something random happens. It’s never a normal day.
Weirdest place you’ve ever performed any form of comedy:
At the drive-thru while I was working fast food.
A Big Will Fun Fact:
I can turn almost any conversation into a story. Ask me a simple question and somehow it’ll turn into a five-minute story.
Where would you like your laughs to take you:
I want comedy to take me around the world. I want to tour, build The Will Show, make people laugh for a living, and create opportunities for other comedians too.
What would you tell a potential comedian if they ask you how they can own the laughs:
Get on stage. Stop waiting until you think you’re ready. Bomb, learn from it, and keep getting back up.
What are your thoughts on the future of comedy:
I think comedy’s in a great place. There are more ways than ever to reach people, and audiences want real people more than perfect people.
If you could write an episode for ONE classic TV sitcom, which show would it be:
Eastbound & Down. Kenny Powers decides he’s going to become a stand-up comedian because he thinks it’s easy. Every set turns into complete chaos, but somehow he walks off stage thinking he absolutely killed it.
If you could choose ONE comedy club and THREE comedians to perform with on your perfect comedy show, how would it go:
No club in particular but with Joey Diaz, Bill Burr and Aries Spears. I’d open the show, watch them do what they do best, and spend the rest of the night getting better.
What’s next for you:
The next big thing is The Will Show on August 22nd. More details coming soon.
Why should a person always laugh at life:
Life’s already hard enough. If you can’t laugh through the chaos, you’re missing the best part. Sometimes laughing is the only thing that keeps you moving.
Follow Big Will’s comedic journey on these social media websites:
Instagram/Tik-Tok: Big Will
Personal Website: Big Will
