Arnold cornered the market on playing the resident comic relief in films like “NINE MONTHS” with Hugh Grant, Julianne Moore, and Robin Williams, “TRUE LIES” with Arnold Schwarzenegger, “HERO” with Dustin Hoffman, and “AUSTIN POWERS: INTERNATIONAL MAN OF MYSTERY” with Mike Myers. Arnold will next be seen in his 72nd film, Stephen Gyllenhaal’s quirky political comedy “GRASSROOTS”, Tyler Perry’s “MADEA’S WITNESS PROTECTION” and “HIT AND RUN” with Dax Shepard, Kristen Bell and Bradley Cooper. He helped put Fox Sports Network on the map with his hosting duties on “BEST DAMN SPORTS SHOW PERIOD.” Arnold currently hosts CMT’s “MY BIG REDNECK WEDDING” and “MY BIG REDNECK VACATION” which premiered at the highest ratings in CMT history.
From the Tonight Show with Johnny Carson to Jay Leno, to Late Night with Conan O’Brien, to the Late, Late, Late Show with Craig Ferguson, and several Showtime and Comedy Central specials in-between, Rondell has done it all. He’s probably best known as Chef Victor from Disney’s ‘That’s So Raven’ (At least that’s how our producer’s daughter knows him) but he has also appeared in over 200 half hour television sitcoms, from shows like NBC’s Minor Adjustments to Cousin Skeeter, and Cory in the House! This is Rondell’s third appearance at our festival and we’re happy to have him back.
Mitch has appeared many times on The Tonight Show with Leno, The Late Show with David Letterman and on Howard Stern. In April of 2007, his half hour stand-up special debuted on Comedy Central to rave reviews. Mitch also recorded a one hour special for the network entitled, Mitch Fatel is Magical that debuted in 2009. His third album, Public Display of Perversion, was released in March of 2013 and debuted at #1 on the iTunes comedy charts. This is Mitch’s second appearance at The Edmonton Comedy Festival and yes he knows how cold Edmonton gets in October.
Louis Ramey is a talented comedian with over 20 years of experience under his belt. After winning "Best New Artist" at the US Comedy Arts Festival numerous television appearances followed including The Tonight Show, The View, VH1, HBO, Comedy Central, and hosting his own show on Nick@Nite. In 2008 Louis was a finalist on NBC's Last Comic Standing Season 6. Since then he's performed in over 40 countries including India, China, South Africa, Australia, and Dubai. In 2011 he was listed on the London Comedy Store's "Top 10 Favourite Comics" and is a favourite at comedy festivals worldwide.
Andrew Grose is a Canadian comedy veteran with some of the most impressive credentials in the country. With almost 25 years in the business, Andrew has appeared at Just For Laughs eight times as well as multiple times at the Halifax, Moncton, St. John, Medicine Hat and Winnipeg Comedy festivals. Andrew has shared the stage with Joan Rivers, Dave Thomas and Rob Schneider. He has also been featured on countless television specials and has now taken his comedy to the air. He can be heard every weekday from 2 until 6 on 630 CHED’s Afternoon News. Did we mention he produces the Edmonton Comedy Festival?
A semi-finalist on America’s Got Talent, John Wing's comedy career spans over two decades and includes six Tonight Shows, nine Just For Laughs Comedy festivals, Five Winnipeg Comedy festivals, and over 150 television appearances. He can be heard on CBC radio's The Debaters, and is a contributor to Definitely Not The Opera. Last year he created, co-wrote, and starred in the CBC radio sitcom, Man, Woman, & Child. A regular performer in Las Vegas, as well as cruise ships all over the world, John is also a the author of the comedy memoir, When You See The Red Light, Get Off.
With a resume that spans 25 years, Atomic Improv has performed thousands of shows and festivals around the world and at every major comedy festival in Canada. That includes Montreal's Just For Laughs Comedy Festival where they won their first of many international improv tournament titles. Atomic Improv were honoured to be asked to represent Alberta at the 2012 Summer Olympics in London. Television and radio credits include The Amazing Race Canada and starring role in the The Irrelevant Show on CBC radio 1. If there is an improv “first” it's in their resume.
Often described as “one of the most talented comics in the business,” Tazz has been delighting crowds at fundraisers, corporate events, festivals and on television for more than two decades Known as the “Bi-Polar Buddha”, Tazz is equal parts comedian and motivational speaker who likes to enlighten, educate and inspire. His one-man shows have drawn rave reviews and standing ovations from coast-to-coast. Tazz’ many national festival appearances have included the CBC Winnipeg Comedy Festival, for which he annually multi-tasks as a writer, producer and performer. Tazz’ explosive Gala performances at the Winnipeg Comedy Festival over the years can be seen frequently on CBC television and the Comedy Network.
Twice-nominated for Best Female Stand-up in Canada and a Leo Award winner for her work on The Gemini Awards. If you haven’t heard one of her 29 appearances on CBC’s The Debaters, The Current, or Definitely Not The Opera your radio is broken. She has traveled as far north as Alert, Nunavut as well as to Kandahar Airfield to entertain our Canadian troops. In 2013 alone, Erica performed at The Vancouver, Winnipeg and Halifax Comedy Festivals as well as the Just For Laughs Comedy Festival. This is Erica’s third time at the Edmonton Comedy Festival and we’re thrilled she’s back.
Frank's credits include 10 appearances at both Montreal's and Toronto's Just for Laughs Comedy Festival and was the host of their 2010, 22 city Canadian tour. His one man show has sold out soft seater performances in Toronto, Montreal, Hamilton, Ottawa, Vancouver, Detroit and Chicago. In 2008 he toured Australia and appeared at the Johannesburg Comedy Festival in South Africa. Frank co-produced and starred in Just For Laughs Ethnic Heroes of Comedy Tour in 2007. Frank was also a feature act on the very successful World Cup of Comedy Tour which included dates in Toronto, Montreal, Vancouver and Los Angeles.
Kerry has appeared at several Canadian comedy festivals including the Just For Laughs Festival in Montreal. His television credits include two seasons as the head writer and a cast member of “Gutterball Alley” and an hour long “Comedy Now!” You may have caught him on CBC Radio’s “Madly Off In All Directions”, or as a regular on the XM Satellite Radio’s comedy channel. He is the only comedian that has ever or will ever use as a credit the fact that he was the subject of a feature article in Reader’s Digest. He is from right here in Edmonton and has never cheered for the Calgary Flames.
Kevin was a finalist in the 2002 Just For Laughs “HOMEGROWN COMPETITION” and has appeared on the Just For Laughs television show. Several of his gala moments have been featured on the CBC comedy special “Best of Just For Laughs” Kevin has appeared in several national television commercials including Subway and Telus. He was a recurring character on the television series “Honey I Shrunk The Kids” and hosted the nationally syndicated television shows “Style for Men” and “Inside Movies” and “Inside Entertainment.” Kevin is currently the movie reviewer on several networks and is a regular on “The DVD Show” and “Men’s TV” as well as serving as the co-host of the “Star TV Network.”
Kristeen von Hagen has been hailed as one of the Top 30 Power Women in Canada by Elle Magazine alongside such entertainers as Avril Lavigne, Sarah Polley, and Wrestling Diva Trish Stratus. Kristeen won the 2012 Best Female Comic at the Canadian Comedy Awards. She has appeared on the Winnipeg Comedy Festival on CBC, the SHOWTIME stand-up comedy show Comedy Without Borders and has also been seen on Premium Blend on Comedy Central. She has won four Canadian Comedy Awards - Best Female Stand-up, Best Comedic Play and Best writing for a TV special. Kristeen is currently opening up for Puppetry of the Penis in Las Vegas. Ouch.
A veteran in the world of stand-up, Maryellen Hooper’s comedy has taken her from clubs and colleges to theaters and television. She’s appeared on “The Dennis Miller Show”, “The Martin Short Show”, “The Tonight Show” with Jay Leno and has had her own ½ hour special on Comedy Central called “Lounge Lizards”. In 1998, the comedy industry awarded Maryellen “Female Comedian of the Year” at the American Comedy Awards. Her latest stand-up special, “Stinky Flowers” which aired last fall. The special is based on her stories about Wifedom and Mommyhood from her hugely popular blog, Stinky Flowers.
With over 25 years in the business, Mike has become a comedy staple and a club favorite across both the United States and Canada. Mike has toured with such acts as Rosie O’Donnell, Adam Sandler, Chris Rock and Howie Mandel. He’s also opened for Michael Bolton, Joan Jett, Leon Redbone and has even appeared on “The Jerry Springer Show.” The Calgary Sun said of him: “Brush up on your sit-ups before you see this show, otherwise your stomach muscles will hurt the next day…” If you're a comedy fan and you haven't seen Mike before, you're in for a treat. If you’re sitting in the front row… things could go badly for you.
With an hourglass figure and a stopwatch wit, Monique has a knack for making powerful first impressions. She is the late night host of his Miami television venture WAMI and star of three TV specials: Monique Over Miami, Not Skinny, Not Blonde and Lady Zings the Blues. Eva Longoria chose her to be one of the original members of the ongoing comedy troupe “The Hot Tamales Live. Her one woman show had a six week run at the venerable Pasadena Ice House . "The Monique Marvez Show" airs on LA’s venerable KFI AM 640 radio every Saturday night.
Shayma made her television debut on the Keenan Ivory Wayans show and was a regular at the Hollywood Comedy Store where she worked along side such legendary Comedians as Chris Rock, Norm Mac Donald, Tim Allen, Martin Lawrence and many others. Since then, Shayma has made over 50 Television appearances including: “Chelsea Lately”, ”The Tonight Show”, MTV’s “Punk’d”, on Comedy Central’s “The best Damn Sports Show Period” and many more on the E! Network. She has also has done 17 overseas tours for America’s Troops. Yes… 17. Shayma lives in Las Vegas, where she regularly performs her hilarious, edgy, high energy stand-up act, on the Las Vegas strip.
For the past 13 years international award winning balloon twister Phileas Flash has been capturing hearts worldwide with his brilliant brand of balloon art, charming comedy and crazy magic. Armed only with a little wit, a lot of talent and a big bag of balloons he's traveled all over the globe and amazed audiences everywhere from Iceland to Egypt, Australia to Dominican Republic and everywhere in between. Phileas has performed for Hollywood celebrities, twisted balloons for dukes and duchesses and frequently appears on television. Arrive early to catch him before every gala show at our festival.
The V.I.P. Kids Show combines music, comedy, and puppets into a kid-friendly production that’s packed with hilarious entertainment for young and old. You and your kids will enjoy a Variety, Improv and Puppet show all rolled into one! This 45 minute production is jam packed with music, comedy, art, puppets, and special guests! Watch as the V.I.P. troupe of zany characters celebrate the thin line between clever and silly. It’s a Saturday family friendly show that’s sure to be full of antics and laughs for everyone involved. Suitable for ALL AGES and best of all… it’s FREE!
Aytahn presents circus and comedy ranging from the absurd to the amazing. Raised in a cold empty place called Winnipeg he learnt circus skills because there was nothing else to do. After spending the last 20 years in Montreal he made a name for himself in the circus industry because of his staunch refusal to wear tights or put on clown makeup. This aging clown has been seen live by over 1 million people in 13 countries around the world, had repeat invitations to Just for Laughs, sold-out shows at the National Arts Centre, and performed for 2 of Canada’s Governors General.
