As part of We Own The Laughs.com’s Comedian of the Day, have a few laughs and get to know comedian Maximilian Spinelli. The Trumbull, CT native shares some of his favorite moments in stand-up comedy and explains how he always owns the laughs.
Name: Maximilian Spinelli
Hometown: Trumbull, CT/New York, NY
Instagram/Twitter/Facebook/Snapchat/Tik-Tok: @maxagazillion
Years in Comedy: Coming up on 7!
Haven’t we seen you somewhere before: Prime Video, Tubi, BuzzFeed, Just For Laughs 2023, & New York Comedy Festival
Comedic Influences: Don Rickles, Pete Holmes, Jim Gaffigan, Tim Robinson, Key & Peale, Tina Fey, & Amy Poehler
Favorite Comedy Album: Rodney Dangerfield “No Respect”
Favorite Comedy Special: John Mulaney “Kid Gorgeous”
Favorite Comedy Movie: Shawn of the Dead
Favorite Comedy TV Show: Insane to pick one, but right now, it’s What We Do in the Shadows
Favorite Comedic Character: Phillip Seymour Hoffman as Sandy Lyle in Along Came Polly. Literally, his career-best performance. I’m not kidding.
Favorite City to Perform In: New York
Favorite Topics to Joke About: Myself, unless that makes me sound like an a**hole, in which case like society I guess?
Favorite Type of Audience for a Comedy Show: Anybody who’s there to have fun
Favorite Comedy Club: New York Comedy Club
How did you discover your passion for comedy:
I’ve loved making people laugh since I was a kid. My family was my first audience then in 2nd Grade I made a girl shoot her milk out of her nose and I’ve been chasing that high ever since.
What do you remember most about your first time performing stand-up comedy:
The support! I had just graduated college and featured for the delightful Joe Matarese at an Italian restaurant in my hometown and we sold that place out.
How would you describe your comedic style:
Silly, fast, erratic, and somehow both self-deprecating and over-confident at the same time.
Describe your process for comedic writing:
It’s still evolving! It used to be wait until something hits me during a rare moment when my mind is at peace in the shower or on the subway but in the last couple years I’ve been putting some very necessary processes and accountability into place. But, ultimately, everything just ends up in the notes app on my phone.
Describe the comedy scene in your area:
The best in the world!
How do you judge success in the world of comedy:
The goalposts are quite literally always moving. Success for me is contentment, which seems obnoxious, but listen, it keeps me going.
Who are some of your comedic peers that you enjoy watching perform or inspire you personally and professionally:
This is NOT an exhaustive list by any means because all my friends are my favorite comics, but Ben Kirschenbaum, Mae Planert, Jake Velazquez, Mike Bramante, Isabel Hagen, Jason Choi, Phil Duckett, Laura Sogar, Chris Metcalfe, & Kelly Ryan
What’s been your most memorable moment in comedy:
One time, I ran into an ex downtown, and while we were chatting, I got recognized by someone from a show, which was the sweetest victory one could experience in this lifetime.
What have you learned most from your failures in comedy:
There is no one opportunity or moment. It’s a freaking marathon, not a sprint, and I am nowhere near the end of the race.
How do people react toward you when they realize that you can make people laugh:
They usually say, “Oh, okay, so you never turn it off, huh?”
Describe building a career in stand-up comedy:
Running up a wet, muddy hill in the middle of a hurricane and wondering the whole time if you’re even on the right hill but at least the people next to you are cool.
If you could change one thing in the world of comedy, what would it be:
My follower count.
Best advice you’ve ever received from a comedian:
“They paid for a show, give ’em a show” – Sam Tallent
If you were releasing a comedy special this week, what would it be called:
I did! It’s called “Finish Your Croissant”, streaming now on YouTube.
Funniest encounter you’ve ever had with a celebrity:
I did background on the movie King of Staten Island, and during a bar scene, I lay on the ground while Pete Davidson stepped over me a few times. I didn’t even end up in the movie, but at least I got a clear look at that infamous crotch.
Weirdest place you’ve ever performed any form of comedy:
Don’t Tell’s always in some place wild. I’ve performed on a half pipe in a skateboard shop and in a boxing ring, but the weirdest would probably be any one of the misc. random lawns and rooftops during the pandemic.
A Maximilian Spinelli Fun Fact:
This type of question is my nightmare.
Where would you like your laughs to take you:
My ultimate dream is to create stuff like my special on a larger scale, whether it’s a tour, series, movies, etc. I just want creative control and a really enjoyable group of people to work with. Also, I just saw Maggie Rogers absolutely demolish MSG last week, so performing in any iconic theater would be SICK.
What would you tell a potential comedian if they ask you how they can own the laughs:
Be as authentic to your true self as you can. That doesn’t mean you can’t do characters or stuff, just have everything come from a place of truth. It gives you an ownership of the experience more than any audience reaction ever could.
What are your thoughts on the future of comedy:
I just hope I get to continue to be a part of it.
If you could write an episode for ONE classic TV sitcom, which show would it be:
Seinfeld. “The Big Kiss” this week, they all kiss.
If you could choose ONE comedy club and THREE comedians to perform with on your perfect comedy show, how would it go:
New York Comedy Club 4th Street with Carlin, prime Dane Cook, and current-day Bill Cosby.
What’s next for you:
Take a deep breath, and then start the next project!
Why should a person always laugh at life:
Because the alternative is fucking lame.
Follow Maximilian Spinelli’s comedic journey on these social media websites:
Instagram/Twitter/Facebook/Snapchat/Tik-Tok: Maximilian Spinelli
Youtube: Maximilian Spinelli
Personal Website: Maximilian Spinelli
