An emerging voice in stand-up comedy, known for her laid-back delivery, sharp observational humor, and an ability to turn everyday situations into memorable punchlines. With roots grounded in real-life experiences, often drawing from her upbringing, relationships, and personal misadventures to craft a style that feels both relatable and refreshingly candid. As part of We Own The Laughs.com’s Comedian of the Day, have a few laughs and get to know comedian Hozho Harris. The New York, NY native shares some of her favorite moments in stand-up comedy and explains how she always owns the laughs.
Name: Hozho Harris
Hometown: New York, NY
Instagram/Tik-Tok: @hozhoharris
Years in Comedy: 8
Haven’t we seen you somewhere before: You may not have seen my face yet, but you’ve heard my punchlines on FX’s Reservation Dogs and Two Pink Doors, as well as in The Onion, Reductress, and ClickHole. I recently appeared on the Ex Drinking Buddy podcast with Brenden Tasseff, and I’m currently a finalist in the New York Queer Comedy Festival.
Comedic Influences: Christopher’s intervention in The Sopranos. Bernie Mac’s energy and outfit in “I ain’t scared of you Mothaf******s!” Def Jam Comedy set. Tohono O’odham and Navajo tales and fables where lessons are learned through dark humor.
Favorite Comedy Special: Julian Barratt “GAS”
Favorite Comedy Movie: John Waters & Female Trouble
Favorite Comedy TV Show: Reservation Dogs
Favorite Comedic Character: Chloe from “Don’t Trust the B in Apartment 23”
Favorite City to Perform In: Los Angeles
Favorite Topics to Joke About: Race & Culture
Favorite Type of Audience for a Comedy Show: The Girls, The Gays, & The Theys
Favorite Comedy Club: The Comedy Cellar
How did you discover your passion for comedy:
Comedy was an essential tool for survival. Growing up as an indigenous kid who moved around a lot, making jokes helped me connect with people, survive bullying, and turn my discomfort into a superpower.
What do you remember most about your first time performing stand-up comedy:
I remember feeling extremely empowered. I started off as a joke writer, I felt powerful reclaiming my jokes as my own.
How would you describe your comedic style:
Absurd storytelling, mixed with shotgun punchlines, and physical clowning.
Describe the comedy scene in your area:
Movers and shakers! I am grateful to work with some of the most talented and ambitious people in the country.
How do you judge success in the world of comedy:
I judge success in comedy the same way I judge success in life: by happiness, growth, and the ability to remain authentic.
Who are some of your comedic peers that you enjoy watching perform or inspire you personally and professionally:
David Mills is my favorite comedian working in NYC and is criminally underrated. David is sharp, engaging, he is a seasoned professional that inspires me to no-end. Drew Tessier, is the founder of the New York Queer Comedy festival. His playful approach to cultural critique never fails to make me laugh. Drew advocates for the queer community by generating shows and events for queer performers. He is not only a talented comedian, but a mentor and pillar of the NYC queer community. I also deeply enjoy Elsa “Eli” Waithe, they are a force on stage. Charlene Yi, is a fantastic performer with a distinct point-of-view and total goofball on stage. She inspires me to stick to my guns and trust my instincts.
What’s been your most memorable moment in comedy:
It’s when things have gone terribly wrong— I had a man chase me on stage in Manhattan in my struggle to escape I screamed, “HELP! I’M BEING OPRESSED!” The audience broke into laughter and security eventually came to my rescue.
What have you learned most from your failures in comedy:
To pick yourself up and try again. Do not lose your sense of self or your vision of where you want your career to go. It’s how you navigate the tough times that define your character.
How do people react toward you when they realize that you can make people laugh:
I am me 100% of the time, it’s no surprise when people find out that I am a comedian. I am constantly telling jokes and testing material. I think it’s the hardest when dating men, because if I am the funny one it can leave some men feeling emasculated and stripped of power. The most romantic thing a man has ever told me was, “I don’t care that you’re funnier than me.”
Describe building a career in stand-up comedy:
If you enter every space with the mindset, “What can I give to this space?” Be prepared to receive the best experiences, make the best friends, and receive the best advice you could ever hope for.
If you could change one thing in the world of comedy, what would it be:
I would change the inequality that still faces women, queer performers, and BIPOC comedians. There’s still an antiquated narrative of false scarcity that limits opportunities for marginalized performers, when the truth is that more voices only make comedy better.
Best advice you’ve ever received from a comedian:
Brevity is generosity.
If you were releasing a comedy special this week, what would it be called:
“I, EXIST!”
Funniest encounter you’ve ever had with a celebrity:
I once had Jeff Goldblum hit on me while working at American Apparel.
Weirdest place you’ve ever performed any form of comedy:
There was a children’s charity banquet I was performing at, during the show, the venue was raided for a liquor license violation. We moved the show to an abandoned gas station across the street.
A Hozo Harris Fun Fact:
When I was 17, I co-founded an AIPA Broadcast award winning program, City High Radio. I was given access to a closet in my high school and built the recording studio by hand by dumpster diving for materials. The program is in existence to this day and I credit my experience in broadcasting as my foundation for my career in entertainment.
What would you tell a potential comedian if they ask you how they can own the laughs:
I would say you are worthy of all the praise, love, and adoration in this world. Allow yourself to enjoy your jokes as much as your audience, if not more.
What are your thoughts on the future of comedy:
I’m what is known as a cruel optimist. I’m extremely hopeful for the future of comedy. I see the old power structures that comedy clubs inherited from boardrooms and country clubs starting to dissolve. With more representation for queer, BIPOC, and women performers, comedy will only become stranger, sharper, and better than ever.
If you could write an episode for ONE classic TV sitcom, which show would it be:
Cheers — Sam Malone invents a cologne guaranteed to seduce women; Norm tests it before the big demo and shits his pants in front of Boston’s most eligible bachelorettes.
If you could choose ONE comedy club and THREE comedians to perform with on your perfect comedy show, how would it go:
I would resurrect the legendary Improv on 44th St, and perform an act of necromancy to summon three legends. I would share the stage with Chris Farley, Mitch Hedberg, and Richard Pryor. I would naturally headline because I have the ego of a God. Anyone who wasn’t afraid of a little sacrilege and witchcraft to get here would be bestowed with the greatest show of all time.
What’s next for you:
I don’t see how that’s any of your damn business. Just kidding.
I’m looking forward to taping my first full-length special this fall, producing a spicy variety show in Chelsea, getting funding for my screenplay, and winning the New York Queer Comedy Festival. I see it all for me: writing, sketches, screenplays, novels, acting, comedy, music, performance art, and anything else the muse decides to throw my way.
Why should a person always laugh at life:
Life is a joke, it’s a lot funnier when you’re telling the punchline.
Follow Hozho Harris’s comedic journey on these social media websites:
Instagram/Tik-Tok: Hozho Harris
Youtube: Hozho Harris
