Paul Provenza (born July 31, 1957) is a television host and actor, actor on stage, radio panelist, stand-up comedian, filmmaker, and skeptic based in Los Angeles. Provenza was born and grew up in the Pelham Parkway section of the Bronx, New York City, and graduated in 1975 from the Bronx High School of Science. In high school, he started performing stand-up comedy, making his stage debut at age 17 at the original The Improv in Manhattan. He continued performing while attending the University of Pennsylvania, taking a year's leave of absence to study in London at the Royal Academy of Dramatic Arts. While at RADA, he joined a classical repertory theater group, becoming one of few Americans to perform the role of Romeo on the London stage. He graduated in 1979 from the University of Pennsylvania, the year it awarded its first Theatre Arts degree. At Penn, he wrote for the Pennsylvania Punch Bowl and was a cast member of the Mask and Wig Club, where he has returned numerous times to perform in the annual Intercollegiate Comedy Festival.
Provenza made his first appearance on The Tonight Show with Johnny Carson on March 25, 1983. Additional television work includes hosting a short-lived Nickelodeon TV show from 1988 until 1989 called Kids Court, appearing as Patrick in Empty Nest, and playing Dr. Phil Capra in Season 6 of CBS's Northern Exposure, opposite Teri Polo.
While working as a standup comedian and on television, Provenza also found work in theatre. He received critical acclaim for his work on stage, with his performance in the Off-Broadway play Only Kidding! being nominated for a Drama Desk Award for Best Actor and winning the Theater World Award for Best Actor in a Play. He was the stand-up comedian opening act for Diana Ross for three years or more. He was honored with a caricature by the legendary Al Hirschfeld. He also is a frequent panelist on Wait Wait Don't Tell Me on National Public Radio
After decades as a stand-up comic and actor, Provenza found a new calling as an interviewer of other stand-ups, culminating in his 2005 directorial debut, The Aristocrats (made with Penn Jillette). At the 2006 Edinburgh Fringe Festival, Provenza held a nightly show at the Underbelly, Talk of the Fest. Held at 11pm each night of the festival, the set up was described by Provenza as that of a "green room for the whole festival". Guests included Trey Parker and Matt Stone, the creators of South Park. The show was reprised by Provenza at the 2007 Just for Laughs comedy festival in Montreal, where guests included Billy Connolly, Eddie Izzard, and members of The Kids in the Hall. In 2010, Showtime picked up the show and on June 12, 2010, The Green Room with Paul Provenza debuted with many of the same festival guest line-ups.
In 2011, Provenza began developing a new show called Set List - Stand-Up Without A Net. The show was originally devised by Troy Conrad and features stand-up comedians who are made to improvise their sets based on suggestions they receive. After successful appearances at worldwide comedy festivals including Just For Laughs, the Melbourne Comedy Festival and the Edinburgh Fringe, it was picked up for television by UK broadcaster Sky Atlantic. The series included performers Robin Williams, Drew Carey and Frank Skinner and was also broadcast in Australia on ABC2.
In May, 2010, Provenza's book, ¡Satiristas!, with photography by Dan Dion was released by Harper-Collins. It features in-depth interviews with Stephen Colbert, Bill Maher, George Carlin, Marc Maron, among others.
ABOUT THE STAND-UP COMEDY DOCUMENTARY DYING LAUGHING, IN THEATERS AND ON DEMAND FEBRUARY 24th
DYING LAUGHING is a candid look at the complicated and fascinating lives of some of the world’s greatest stand-up comedians. A beautiful, moving, funny and unique feature length documentary on the agony and the ecstasy of making people laugh. A stand-up comedian must be the writer, the director and the star performer - and in stand-up there is no rehearsal, no practice, no safety net as it only works in front of a live audience, with feedback being instantaneous and often brutal. For most people, baring their soul on stage and having an audience “boo” at you would become a life-long trauma, but for stand-up comedians, it’s a nightly challenge. The funny and heartfelt documentary contains original interviews interlaced with personal footage of life on the road – all from a comedian's point of view. Once you take this step behind the curtain, you will never look at these funny folks the same way again.
Includes interviews with: Kevin Hart, Jamie Foxx, Chris Rock, Jerry Seinfeld, Garry Shandling, Sarah Silverman, Cedric The Entertainer, Eddie Izzard, Billy Connolly, Steve Coogan, Mike Epps, Jerry Lewis, DL Hughley, Amy Schumer, Allan Havey, Bob Saget, Bobby Lee, Bonnie McFarlane, Cocoa Brown, Dave Attell, David A. Arnold, Dom Irrera, Emo Philips, Faizon Love, Felipe Esparza, Frank Skinner, George Wallace, Frankie Boyle, George Wallace, Gilbert Gottfried, Grant Cotter, Jason Manford, Jay Phillips, Jeff Joseph, Jim Jefferies, Jo Brand, John Thomson, Keenan Ivory Wayans, Kevin Christy, Kym Whitley, Kira Soltanovich, Kirk Fox, Lee Mack, Neal Brennan, Omid Djalili, Paul Provenza, Rick Overton, Royale Watkins, Russell Peters, Sam Tripoli, Sandra Bernhard, Sean Lock, Stephen K. Amos, Stephen Kramer Glickman, Stewart Lee, Suli McCullough, Theo Von, Tiffany Haddish, Tom Dreesen, Tommy Davidson, & Victoria Wood
Here’s the trailer:
https://youtu.be/4mWZeIgMO68