A nationally touring stand-up comedian, actor, podcast host, and former trial attorney based in Chicago. Known for his quick wit, dry humor, and hilarious observations about dating, relationships, and life as an aging bachelor, he has become a favorite on the comedy circuit. A regular performer at the Laugh Factory and Zanies Comedy Club, he has shared the stage with some of comedy’s biggest names. His comedy specials Always a Groomsman on Dry Bar Comedy and Middlewestern, Middle Eastern showcase his signature blend of sharp storytelling, self-deprecating humor, and relatable comedy. He was also named runner-up for Best Stand-Up Comedian by the Chicago Reader in 2021. As part of We Own The Laughs.com’s Comedian of the Day, have a few laughs and get to know comedian Paul Farahvar. The Chicago, Illinois native shares some of his favorite moments in stand-up comedy and explains how he always owns the laughs.
Name: Paul Farahvar
Hometown: Chicago, Illinois
Instagram/Tik-Tok: @paulfarahvar IG @paulfcomedy TT
Years in Comedy: 15
Haven’t we seen you somewhere before: Chicago Med (NBC), Helium Special, Dry Bar, & Nateland
Comedic Influences: Gary Gulman, Anthony Jesilnick, Bob Newhart, & Chris Rock
Favorite Comedy Album: Eddie Murphy “Delirious”
Favorite Comedy Special: Gary Gulman “The Great Depresh” & Jim Gaffigan “Beyond The Pale”
Favorite Comedy Movie: Step Brothers
Favorite Comedy TV Show: Newhart (80s version) and Taxi
Favorite Comedic Character: Jim Ignatowski (Taxi)
Favorite City to Perform In: Minneapolis, Tampa, Denver, & Chicago
Favorite Topics to Joke About: Family, Politics, & Law
Favorite Type of Audience for a Comedy Show: Smart
Favorite Comedy Club: Too many to list and also too risky to mention without pissing off another comedy club.
How did you discover your passion for comedy:
I always loved watching talk shows as a kid and loved the musicians and stand-up comedians on The Tonight Show, Letterman, and Conan. I never thought I was funny, but someone famous told me I was funny and thought I was a stand-up comedian, and since I wanted to try stand-up comedy just once, at least, I went to an open mic and won a contest. The rest is history.
What do you remember most about your first time performing stand-up comedy:
The rush. I loved the rush of the first laugh from something I wrote. Comedians chase that first rush like heroin.
How would you describe your comedic style:
Dry and smart observational jokes and stories.
Describe your process for comedic writing:
It varies but the most common method is I have a premise for a joke and a basic outline and then I just try it on stage during the week and write, or work it out, on stage, and see what parts are funny, from the pressure of needing a laugh.
Describe the comedy scene in your area:
The Chicago Comedy scene is the best scene in the country. We dont’ have industry like NY Or LA but we have a proven track record of producing the best comedians in the country. So many shows to go up and work out every night.
How do you judge success in the world of comedy:
Anyone who is earning money as a comedian and able to support themselves as a comedian is successful. If you are making people laugh for a living, that is success. For me personally, I have goals that I need to cross off my list to feel like I am truly successful like filling A room comedy clubs on weekends and making strangers laugh and come back to see me again. I’m not there yet.
Who are some of your comedic peers that you enjoy watching perform or inspire you personally and professionally:
Oh man, so many to list just from “my class” of peers (people who started at about the same time as me in Chicago) I think its amazing how Josh Johnson can write so much funny material every dang week. He is a national treasure and he was in the Chicago scene as well. Jeff Aruri has also sky-rocketed from my class and deservedly so. Kristen Toomey, Jeanie Doogan and Jim Flannigan all write amazing jokes. Comedians after me like Geoff Asmus, Dan Docimo, Olivia Carter and Sam Rocha make me laugh so hard and inspire me to be better.
What’s been your most memorable moment in comedy:
Being passed by Jamie Masada at the Laugh Factory was a big moment for me, as well as my first weekend working with one my all time favorite comedians, Gary Gulman. The times I made people spit out their drinks during a show is always a huge moment. I will always remember the time I made a huge comedian laugh hysterically in a post show hang out. That’s more of a podcast story though, (Laughs).
What have you learned most from your failures in comedy:
Get back up. Do better.
How do people react toward you when they realize that you can make people laugh:
They are surprised because “I don’t seem like I would be funny”
Describe building a career in stand-up comedy:
I wish I know the answer on how to build a career now because everyone has their own path and there are so many ways to build a “career.” Social media is so important so if you can get people to come see you perform based on your social media, that’s gonna lead to a career launch. The next step is to sustain that career. And you have to be funny. There are no shortcuts in this business.
If you could change one thing in the world of comedy, what would it be:
The check drop. I hate it. End it.
Best advice you’ve ever received from a comedian:
Be undeniable. Doors will close for you if you are not the right “look” or “too old” or not the flavor of the month or darling of the industry but if you are undeniably funny in any room and always one of the best comedians on the line ups, or the best, you cannot be denied.
If you were releasing a comedy special this week, what would it be called:
Well I released one called “Always a Groomsman” on Dry Bar and “Middle Western, Middle Eastern” on Helium. My next one may be just called “better call paul” since that’s like my catch phrase now.
Funniest encounter you’ve ever had with a celebrity:
I had a few funny back to back “hangs” with Jakob Dylan of the Wallflowers when I was younger. I was musician and he remembered and liked the name of my band Phat Albert (with a p.h.)
Weirdest place you’ve ever performed any form of comedy:
I performed comedy outside of Wrigley Field once. It was weird.
A Paul Farahvar Fun Fact:
I have a tramp stamp. (lower left side of my back)
Where would you like your laughs to take you:
I would love to be able to headline stand up comedian in A room comedy clubs every weekend without worrying about ticket sales and also have a talk show or podcast where I can interview people, like I already do with Why Are You Awake (for nightowls) and Stuck with Paul where I interview people (mostly comedians in an elevator. Shameless plug.
What would you tell a potential comedian if they ask you how they can own the laughs:
Slow down. Listen.
What are your thoughts on the future of comedy:
We are in a big bubble of stand up comedy that will burst eventually. I just hope it lasts for years so we can all have fun and make as many people laugh as possible.
If you could write an episode for ONE classic TV sitcom, which show would it be:
I would love to write an episode of Taxi where they all come back and like all have lives you would never think possible, like Jim Ignatowski would be a Senator and Tony Danza would be a professor. Or Seinfeld. Where he ends up being a podcaster. Or VEEP. Although we are kinda living that now.
If you could choose ONE comedy club and THREE comedians to perform with on your perfect comedy show, how would it go:
I would love to do a version of my show Stand Ups Sit Down where I host the stand up show and then the 3 comedians come up and then I interview them after their sets. I would pick Jason Salmon, Gary Gulman and Judy Gold since I know them all pretty well and they would all crush, and it would be a fun interview. It would have to be at the Laugh Factory in Chicago, since thats where it is now (First Wednesday of every month!)
What’s next for you:
I am hoping to start headlining more clubs on weekends in 2026 and 2027 and developing some non scripted interview shows/podcasts.
Why should a person always laugh at life:
Laugh not to cry, is what I say.
Follow Paul Farahvar’s comedic journey on these social media websites:
Instagram/Tik-Tok: Paul Farahvar
Youtube: Paul Farahvar
*Photos by Sarah Larson
