The South Philly comic Chip Chantry, who appears on Shane Gillis’ Netflix show Tires as Kyle, is ready to broaden his audience with his debut comedy special, Move Closer.
His Philly patriotism made him a viral favorite on social media.
After 21 years as a stand-up comedian, Chantry wants to capitalize on his newfound virality, deciding to combine all his searing Philly-isms and hilarious confessions for his debut comedy special, Move Closer. The special, named in honor of Action News’ theme song “Move Closer to Your World.” While Chantry already has two comedy compilations under his belt, this release will mark the biggest moment in the Montgomery County native’s comedy career.
Chantry’s journey to his debut special was riddled with second guesses. He passed up earlier opportunities to release a special in fear it was too early. And even in the months leading up to the release of Move Closer, he considered leaving out the word special altogether.
Long before he became a mainstay in Philly’s comedy circuit, Chantry was a fourth-grade teacher for the Methacton School District juggling life in the classroom and on the comedy stage. He performed on wooden palette-made platforms in local bars and restaurants in the city until 2 a.m., and then woke up at 5:30 a.m. to get to school.
He landed a TV writing gig on the NBC Studios comedy-talk series Crazy Talk back in 2015. Ever since, Chantry has opened for comics like Dave Chappelle, Tig Notaro, and Bob Saget, and went on to write for other shows like Whacked Out Sports and National Geographic’s Howie Mandel’s Animals Doing Things.
He recently appeared in the Shane Gillis-led Netflix series Tires as the character Kyle.
