As part of We Own The Laughs.com’s Comedian of the Day, have a few laughs and get to know comedian Dick Salas. The East Los Angeles, CA native shares some of his favorite moments in stand-up comedy and explains how he always owns the laughs.
Name: Dick Salas
Hometown: East Los Angeles/Fontana, CA
Instagram/Twitter/Snapchat/Tik-Tok: @Notyourtypicalveteran/@dicksalas1775/@dicksalascomedy/@notyourtypicalveteran
Years in Comedy: 5
Haven’t we seen you somewhere before: Comedy Special on VetTV, Urban Soul TV, Chicano Hollywood, Actor/Art Director for “Tango Down” Amazon Prime, “22” and “You”
Comedic Influences: George Lopez, Eddie Murphy, Ralphie May, Joey Diaz, Chris Rock, Bernie Mac, Gabriel Iglesias, Bill Burr, & Ricky Gervais
Favorite Comedy Album: Chris Rock “Never Scared”
Favorite Comedy Special: Gabriel Iglesias “I’m Not Fat, I’m Fluffy”
Favorite Comedy Movie: Step Brothers
Favorite Comedy TV Show: In Living Color
Favorite Comedic Character: Tied between Jim Carrey and Will Ferrell
Favorite City to Perform In: Tied between Las Vegas, NV and Dallas, TX
Favorite Topics to Joke About: My Life, Annoyances, the military, and whatever I find funny honestly.
Favorite Type of Audience for a Comedy Show: An engaging paying audience that knows when talk, when not to talk and buys merchandise lol ohhh and follows me on social media.
Favorite Comedy Club: Ugh again ties in this category sorry not sorry…Ice House Pasadena, Ontario Improv, LA Comedy Club (both), & Laugh Factory Covina
How did you discover your passion for comedy:
Well I got out of the military and was suffering from several mental health and physical issues. I was looking for things that would help with that, after trying dozens and dozens of different hobbies ranging from working out to painting action figures I tried standup and was hooked from the first time I ever went up and been doing it ever since it truly had helped save my life in combination with other things of course.
What do you remember most about your first time performing stand-up comedy:
How nervous I was, but the rush I felt from getting laughs is what kept me coming back.
How would you describe your comedic style:
My style is off the hip, roller coaster of emotions you didn’t expect. A blend of different styles of comedy still being crafted into something all its own. I’m very animated and I love engaging with the crowd as well.. it’s controlled chaos tbh.
Describe your process for comedic writing:
It’s a mixed bag sometimes ideas will hit me out of nowhere and I’ll jot it down quickly. I try to set time to write as well where I brainstorm with whiteboard or I work on the ideas I wrote down prior.
Describe the comedy scene in your area:
There’s different scenes in southern California the IE (Inland Empire) OC, (Orange County) LA County, DTLA, Hollywood, SD, etc. Each has its own pros and cons like every scene, but there’s some really great up and coming talent in each.
How do you judge success in the world of comedy:
There’s certain mile stones I believe every comic needs to achieve in order to be successful in comedy. Building your first 5 mins, then 10, until you got a killer funny full set. Getting booked often, being able to draw, putting in the work by driving those long distances to new places and crowds. Having a good social media presence and having a good reputation with your peers, and community.
Who are some of your comedic peers that you enjoy watching perform or inspire you personally and professionally:
There’s a few I really enjoy watching often like Johnny Gold, Corey Baldwin, Bee Gutierrez, Mistress K, Steph Teran, Franchie San Pedro.
As for those who inspire me that’s easy Joshua Higuera, Luz Pazos, Adam Dominguez, Jeff Garcia, Sebastian Cetina, Victor Vasquez and Trish Smart.
The advice they have given me, grinding they do, how funny and real they are truly gives me the inspiration to push myself forward to the next level.
What’s been your most memorable moment in comedy:
Well so far I can say filming my first Special with VetTV has to be it so far. Both as a comedian and veteran that was truly a night I’ll always cherish and never forget.
What have you learned most from your failures in comedy:
That’s failures are apart of the process, mistakes are inevitable but learning from them and being able to laugh at yourself is just as important as the victories in comedy. Don’t be afraid to fail because one day not only will that opportunity for growth present itself but could be a great bit.
How do people react toward you when they realize that you can make people laugh:
Most of time it’s positive like they ask where can check me out at, where have I performed and typically they ask for a joke. Where I direct them to my content online or tell them pay me and I’ll make you laugh.
If you could change one thing in the world of comedy, what would it be:
Trying to limit what things can and can’t be said or jokes about. It’s either everything can be made fun of or nothing can, I choose to live in a world where if it’s funny say it.
Best advice you’ve ever received from a comedian:
Enjoy the process! Enjoy the open mics, the bombings, the dead nights, enjoy driving 100 miles for 1 beer and $25, it’s the grind that sharpens you. As long as you’re growing, learning and getting funnier.
If you were releasing a comedy special this week, what would it be called:
“The Ups and Downs of Dick…Salas”
Funniest encounter you’ve ever had with a celebrity:
Meeting Jack Nicholson perhaps was both the funniest and greatest celebrity encounter I’ve ever had. I’ve been fortunate enough to meet quite a few celebrities but meeting Jack Nicholson was the best. I’ve told the story on a few podcasts but I’m gonna work it into a bit soon as well. I love Jack Nicholson!!!
Weirdest place you’ve ever performed any form of comedy:
Zoom or a field in Victorville CA
A Dick Salas Fun Fact:
Prior to comedy and the military I had a career in music and some of the most beautiful long hair a Dick has ever had.
Where would you like your laughs to take you:
To see the rest of the world I haven’t yet, be able to work with all the one’s who influenced me and headline my favorite clubs, theaters and stadiums.
What would you tell a potential comedian if they ask you how they can own the laughs:
Enjoy the process, ask questions, record yourself even it’s just audio and listen. Learn to be comfortable with being uncomfortable and most importantly have fun.
What are your thoughts on the future of comedy:
I think the future of comedy is interesting, as long as we continue to defend it to its core. Freedom of Speech is the heartbeat and soul of comedy as long as we continue to defend and protect it we will continue to own the laughs.
If you could write an episode for ONE classic TV sitcom, which show would it be:
I would do a Married with children episode give them a real chance to close that right. The Bundy’s would go out with the bang they deserved!
If you could choose ONE comedy club and THREE comedians to perform with on your perfect comedy show, how would it go:
Wow that’s a tough one but I guess the Ice House would be my pick because of the history it holds, absolutely love it. The 3 Comics I would love to see would be Ralphie May, Patrice O’Neal and Richard Pryor, pretty sure I would die from laughing so much.
What’s next for you:
I’ve been working on material a new special, producing more shows with the Court of Comics CoC (add us on instagram as well). Tours being planned for different areas and my podcast will finally be dropping.
Why should a person always laugh at life:
Better to laugh than most other options, and usually after a good laugh it keeps you going and other’s as well. It’s infectious and it empowers, not many things are better than it.
Follow Dick Salas’ comedic journey on these social media websites:
Instagram/Twitter/Facebook/Snapchat/Tik-Tok: Dick Salas
