A career spanning over 30 years, she has made appearances on late-night television and worked alongside varies corporate brands including Dunkin’ Donuts, Nestle, ABC, USAA, and Netflix. As part of We Own The Laughs.com’s Comedian of the Day, have a few laughs and get to know comedian Mary Gallagher. The Elm Grove, WI native shares some of her favorite moments in stand-up comedy and explains how she always owns the laughs.
Name: Mary Gallagher
Hometown: Elm Grove, Wisconsin/Los Angeles, CA
Instagram/Twitter/Tik-Tok: @myfriendmary
Years in Comedy: 30
Haven’t we seen you somewhere before: Friends, The West Wing, How I Met Your Mother, Grey’s Anatomy, NCIS, David Spade’s Fameless, Netflix’s Prank Encounters, Dry Bar special, Amazon Prime’s Laugh After Dark, and The Late Show with Stephen Colbert.
Comedic Influences: Jerry Seinfeld, Maria Bamford, Brian Regan, Wayne Cotter, Steve Martin, Jay Leno, Albert Brooks, Paula Poundstone, Conan O’Brien, Jim Gaffigan, Debi Gutierrez, Iliza Shlesinger, Jenny Johnson, Leslie Jones, Larry David, Ellen DeGeneres, Jimmy Brogan, Dana Eagle, Brian Kiley, Karen Rontowski, Julio Flores, Ray Romano, Susan Rice, Tig Notaro, Rory Schovel, Dulce Sloan, Kira Soltanovich, & Michael Markowitz.
Favorite Comedy Album: George Carlin “Class Clown”
Favorite Comedy Special: Mike Birbiglia “The Old Man and The Pool”
Favorite Comedy Movie: Modern Romance
Favorite Comedy TV Show: The Office
Favorite Comedic Character: Albert Brooks
Favorite City to Perform In: Dublin, Ireland
Favorite Topics to Joke About: Uncomfortableness
Favorite Type of Audience for a Comedy Show: People in recovery and AA rooms
Favorite Comedy Club: Flappers Comedy Club (Burbank, CA)
How did you discover your passion for comedy:
Producing outgoing answering machine messages with my college roommate in our dorm.
What do you remember most about your first time performing stand-up comedy:
Men yell out horrible things to young women.
How would you describe your comedic style:
Evolving
Describe your process for comedic writing:
Lots of text messages to myself
Describe the comedy scene in your area:
Fun and supportive
How do you judge success in the world of comedy:
Being present on stage no matter what. I saw Dana Eagle perform for 20 minutes while the fire alarm was going off at Flappers Comedy Club in Burbank. She didn’t flinch once the whole time.
Who are some of your comedic peers that you enjoy watching perform or inspire you personally and professionally:
Growing up, I saw Wayne Cotter debut on Letterman and memorized his set. He did a perfect set and it made me want to be a comedian. Years later, I met him at The Hollywood Improv and did the set for him (I think that might have been weird for him.) Today I love watching comics that I have coached. They inspire me because I know what they might be struggling with.
What’s been your most memorable moment in comedy:
Walking across the Ed Sullivan stage to perform live on The Late Show with Stephen Colbert (even though it was pre-recorded.) And my daughter backstage!
What have you learned most from your failures in comedy:
The lows don’t matter (same with the highs.)
How do people react toward you when they realize that you can make people laugh:
They say tell me a joke. They have done this to every comic who has ever lived.
Describe building a career in stand-up comedy:
Do comedy all the time. Make some money. Then make no money. Then start teaching. Then go back to doing comedy all the time.
If you could change one thing in the world of comedy, what would it be:
A male host that’s bringing up a woman to the stage by saying, “Now who’s ready for some lady comedy?”
Best advice you’ve ever received from a comedian:
“If you are not performing 7-10 times a week, you are not a comedian.” (Howie Mandel.) *I’m still not.
If you were releasing a comedy special this week, what would it be called:
“Who’s Ready For Some Lady Comedy?”
Funniest encounter you’ve ever had with a celebrity:
Jerry Seinfeld hiking Runyon Canyon with his wife and my friend. He was hot and tired and annoyed.
Weirdest place you’ve ever performed any form of comedy:
For The Green Bay Packers and a blood drive (two separate events.)
A Mary Gallagher Fun Fact:
I am on the edge-of-my-seat-excited talking about witness consciousness.
Where would you like your laughs to take you:
Glastonberry
What would you tell a potential comedian if they ask you how they can own the laughs:
Wake up!
What are your thoughts on the future of comedy:
Great.
If you could write an episode for ONE classic TV sitcom, which show would it be:
The Larry Sanders Show. Larry enjoys himself immensely and doesn’t ever know why.
If you could choose ONE comedy club and THREE comedians to perform with on your perfect comedy show, how would it go:
Comedy and Magic Club in Hermosa Beach. Me and Brian Regan (*Jerry Seinfeld hosting.)
What’s next for you:
Teaching “wellness and stand-up comedy” workshops. I love working with people who are investigating their being through the practice of stand-up comedy.
Why should a person always laugh at life:
Because when your body shakes back and forth it’s really fun.
*My new monthly newsletter, which combines comedy with mindfulness and includes information about my upcoming classes HERE
Follow Mary Gallagher’s comedic journey on these social media websites:
Instagram/Twitter: Mary Gallagher
Youtube: Mary Gallagher
Personal Website: Mary Gallagher
