I love comedy more than any part of my career. I’ve toured the country for the last four years… working for headliners Ralphie May and Pauly Shore. I’ve worked every Improv and Funny Bone in the country. I’ve worked in the Deep South… Alabama, Louisiana, Georgia, Tennessee… west Texas, northern Michigan, and I took an eight-hour flight to perform in Alaska last winter. I’ve worked every big city in the country, including Vegas in the last year… which was by far the highlight of my career. I’ve learned what works for me on stage. No matter what corner of the country I’m in audiences want the same thing from me… the truth. If you know me and you’re part of my life... you’re part of my act.
I’ve also learned to be cleaner on stage. While working with Pauly Shore one week in Jacksonville Florida I did jokes about a midget with a full head of hair, Britney Spears private parts, and some celebrity that just re-entered rehab. After the show Pauly said to me in the Weasel voice, “Bro.... My audience expects certain bits and language from me. I’ve been doing it for two decades. But the same type of material just doesn’t work from you. You’re just a good guy. Be that guy.” Now I work clean (without the f-bombs and the raunchy observations) and original with respect for every member of my audience.
Sometimes the hardest part of a being a comic is trying NOT to make a joke about everything and trying NOT to think about the next job. Because I know everyday I have to write new material, or new tags, or call a booker or a club owner to somehow push my career forward. Nobody can do it for me, because nobody cares about my career as much as me. My agent makes 10% of my money, which means my agent is naturally going to do only 10% of the work. Do you know anybody who is going to put in more effort than they’re getting paid? Exactly. So it is on me as the CEO, CFO, COO & head Custodian of Tommy T Live to put in at least 90% of the work. So if you’re a booker or a club owner I’m probably going to call you myself. Don’t be put out or offended. I’m just trying to get what every American wants. A JOB.
If you’re a fan of Tommy T, or just a comedy fan in general I promise that I will be in your part of the country as soon as possible. Until then go out and support any comic who has dedicated his or her life to making other people laugh. I’ve met a thousand comics in my career and I can assure you the ones who spend their lives on the road live for one thing, to make you all laugh. So get out and keep supporting stand-up comedy. Then go to work the next day and tell your co-workers that you saw a great comic the night before. You probably won’t remember the comic’s name at first, but I guarantee you will remember the bit that made you laugh.
Website
tommytlive.com
Influences
These are some of the comics who inspired me growing up: Richard Pryor - the first comedy album I ever bought, Bill Cosby - I still remember his bits word for word, David Brenner - because he looked just like my Aunt Frida, Sam Kinison - the first time I realized that crazy is ok, George Carlin - the smartest comic I’ve ever seen, Johnny Carson - he didn’t need the joke to be funny, he was just funny as hell, Don Rickles - he gets away with anything, ANYTHING. For those who have passed away, thank God you were here and did what you did. For those still here, please don’t ever get off the stage.
Current comedians who continue to inspire: George Lopez, Chris Rock, Sebastian Maniscalco, Ellen DeGeneres, Ian Edwards, Dom Irrera - the proudest Italian I’ve ever seen on stage, Bill Burr, Brian Regan, Larry the Cable Guy, and countless others. I’m inspired by anybody who continually progresses forward, taking chances and giving audiences what they need… the big laughs.
About me: ABOUT TOMMY TALLARINO:
I’ve always had a “professional industry” bio for years. You know the kind that looks like it was written by somebody else about me but was really just written by me to make me look better than I am. This is not that kind of bio. This is my story:
I grew up in Rome NY. A small blue-collar town way upstate. Closer to Canada than the City. My parents and everybody I knew growing up worked hard-driving jobs for a living. I’ve been called Tommy T for as long as I can remember. In my neighborhood everybody’s name had a certain ring to it. My buddies are Frankie D, Paulie D, Jimmy D, Manny T, Nicky G, Billy Z, Barry D, and the Big C. We were all 100% Italian except for Manny T, who was one quarter Portuguese. And we never let him live it down.
I’m an actor, comedian, writer. After moving to Los Angeles I studied acting with the incomparable Diana Castle. I entered the entertainment industry with dreams to be the next DeNiro, Pacino, Brando. I never thought my first job on television would be as the SportJerk on Comedy Central. But I am a huge sportsfan. Growing up I did nothing but play sports, watch sports, and read sports. And not much has really changed to this day. So I was proud to be the creator, producer and star of the SportJerks NBA Tour. The first sports show on Comedy Central and the first comedy produced by Jersey Television and NBA Entertainment.
I’ve had a few acting roles on television. The best being a recurring role on the ABC drama Karen Sisco. I had small parts on iCarly, My Boys, the Young and the Restless, a new movie called Shouting Distance, and a couple TV pilots. I’ve been a field reporter for the NFL Show on FOX SPORTS, and was a cast member/writer on the ESPN original show Mohr Sports, starring Jay Mohr. I’ve also done comedy on the Daily Show and the Late Late Show.
I’ve been a writer on two prime-time sitcoms; my favorite was Big House on ABC, starring Kevin Hart. My most popular writing job was the animated show “The Boondocks” on Cartoon Network. And I’ve also written for a new animated show for BET, called BUFU... starring Orlando Jones.
Amazingly, I've made a living as an actor, writer, and comic for the last five years. My father may have best summed up my career recently. Saying in his usual backhanded complimentary way... "I don't know what you're doing out there son, but keep foolin' 'em."
Im clearing my throat to attempt my BEST Happy Birthday Song--- Oh wait, I'm not AP, I should leave the singing to her. I would however, like to say HAPPY BIRTHDAY TOMMY T. Hope you have a great one. ~G
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