He has headlined across the United States, and his debut comedy album reached number one on the iTunes charts. Overcoming teenage drug addiction in 2008, much of his comedy deals with issues of homelessness, the prison system, and the stigmatization of drug addiction. During the COVID-19 pandemic in 2020, he wrote 100 new jokes a week, performing via streaming on Facebook, to raise money for homeless nonprofits. As part of We Own The Laughs.com’s Comedian of the Day, have a few laughs and get to know comedian Sam Miller. The Spanaway/Olympia, WA native shares some of his favorite moments in stand-up comedy and explains how he always owns the laughs.
Name: Sam Miller
Hometown: Spanaway/Olympia, WA
Instagram/Twitter/Tik-Tok: @sammillercomedian
Years in Comedy: 10
Haven’t we seen you somewhere before: Bob and Tom Show, Sirius XM and the #1 comedy album Round Trip on iTunes.
Comedic Influences: Richard Pryor, David Cross, Maria Bamford, Kyle Kinane, Chris Farley, Will Ferrell, & Norm Macdonald
Favorite Comedy Album: Norm Macdonald “Me Doing Stand Up”
Favorite Comedy Special: Sam Tallent “The Toads Morale”
Favorite Comedy Movie: Best in Show
Favorite Comedy TV Show: Mr. Show with Bob and David
Favorite Comedic Character: Ronnie Dobbs from Mr. Show
Favorite City to Perform In: Eureka, CA and Chicago, IL tall trees and tall buildings
Favorite Topics to Joke About: Homelessness, Drugs, Jail, Recovery, and my love for big women
Favorite Type of Audience for a Comedy Show: I love performing for others in recovery.
Favorite Comedy Club: Capitol Hill Comedy/Bar, Savage Henry, & Sidesplitters
How did you discover your passion for comedy:
Folks told me for a long time that I should do it. I would blow them off like, “I’m a dishwasher; I got a good thing going.” Then, on a whim, I did an open mic. There was no going back.
What do you remember most about your first time performing stand-up comedy:
I was immediately addicted, and I was worried my life was going to leave me because I knew that there was no going back.
How would you describe your comedic style:
Loud and soft and fast and slow. Balanced and sometimes meaningful but also absurd.
Describe your process for comedic writing:
I generally get ideas when I’m in conversations with my friends. I expand them on stage. And so on and so forth into infinity.
Describe the comedy scene in your area:
Olympia is pretty slow, but we have Gabriel Rutledge and an up-and-coming named Lynette Manning. Seattle is very clique-oriented, but it has got a lot of opportunities for folks who are willing to put themselves out there.
How do you judge success in the world of comedy:
I judge comedians on their ability to elicit joy on stage and their ability to not cause destruction off stage.
Who are some of your comedic peers that you enjoy watching perform or inspire you personally and professionally:
Monica Nevi, Gabriel Rutledge, Emmet Montgomery, Derek Sheen, & Bo Johnson.
What’s been your most memorable moment in comedy:
Headlining at The Laugh Factory in Chicago, IL
What have you learned most from your failures in comedy:
Just to get ready for the next one. Trying to look at the big picture etc.
How do people react toward you when they realize that you can make people laugh:
They get very excited.
Describe building a career in stand-up comedy:
It’s like a spiderweb that I’m building next to a thousand other spiders, and we sort of get along. We all want all the yummy bugs, but the only webs we know are ours. But we can work together…but it’s hard.
If you could change one thing in the world of comedy, what would it be:
I would eliminate everyone in the industry who just doesn’t care. I feel like I would be doing them a favor.
Best advice you’ve ever received from a comedian:
“Talk about what makes you laugh, then invite other folks along.”
If you were releasing a comedy special this week, what would it be called:
“Different Jessica”
Funniest encounter you’ve ever had with a celebrity:
Gallagher blocked me on Facebook because I told him his joke was dumb.
Weirdest place you’ve ever performed any form of comedy:
On a boat for stoned veterans and four separate prisons.
A Sam Miller Fun Fact:
I used to balance things on my chin before comedy, including kayaks and running lawnmowers.
Where would you like your laughs to take you:
I’m 6 foot 6 and 360 pounds. I want to be able to fly first class so I can fit in. I want to afford someone to help me with social media so I can focus on writing jokes. I want to perform at all the legacy clubs.
What would you tell a potential comedian if they ask you how they can own the laughs:
Vulnerability is significantly undervalued. Also, take better care of yourself off-stage.
What are your thoughts on the future of comedy:
I feel like I’m in a good place, but I think trying to navigate their careers on social media for newer comics is very tough to break through right now.
If you could write an episode for ONE classic TV sitcom, which show would it be:
I already wrote an episode of Baywatch where people were snorting anthrax, and someone killed somebody by doing reverse CPR.
If you could choose ONE comedy club and THREE comedians to perform with on your perfect comedy show, how would it go:
A sold-out show at Savage Henry. Mitch Hedberg, Sam Tallent, & Maria Bamford.
What’s next for you:
I’m headed to Austin this week to headline at Vulcan. I’m nervous and excited.
Why should a person always laugh at life:
Laughter is survival. I spent a lot of my life incarcerated or homeless. Laughter was all I had. I’m fortunate to live the life that I do.
Follow Sam Miller’s comedic journey on these social media websites:
Instagram/Twitter/Tik-Tok: Sam Miller
Youtube: Sam Miller
Personal Website: Sam Miller
