Home: Washington, DC. Age: 50. Birthplace: Queens, NY. Profession: Stand-up comedy. Organization: Joe Buccino Comedy. Title: Comedian. Significant other: My wife, Chandani.
Current project: Regularly performing at NYC’s famous Gotham Comedy Club. Recent recognition: Featured at the DC Improv, the Gotham Comedy Club, The Stand and Bushwick Comedy Club. Latest accomplishment: Graduated from the Armed Services Arts Partnership’s Comedy Bootcamp. Last book read: Kissinger: A Biography, by Walter Isaacson.
What is your greatest joy? Making people laugh. What is your guilty pleasure? Doing crowd work. What occupation, other than your own, do you most admire? Fiction writing. What is your favorite place (or way) to spend money? The bookstore. I read all the time. What is at the top of your bucket list? Have my own Netflix special. How do you relieve stress? Writing jokes.
What was your favorite college course? Advanced Shakespeare. What book have you repeatedly read? Moby Dick, by Herman Melville; A Little Life, by Hanya Yanagihara. What movie have you repeatedly watched? One Flew Over the Cuckoo’s Nest; Good Will Hunting. What’s prominently featured on your home or office wall? An original copy of The New York Times announcing President Richard Nixon’s resignation. What’s the best advice you received growing up? Let people think what they want about what you have going on. What’s the best advice you received in your career? Comedy is a marathon; it’s a lifelong journey. What is your favorite app? Instagram to promote my comedy shows.
What is your big idea?
Elicit the involuntary response of laughter only using words.
What widely held belief do you reject? The US should unblinkingly support Israel. What mega-trend most concerns you? Artificial intelligence.
What title would you choose for the movie about your life? He Wasn’t Always the Best, But Sometimes He Was Great. Who would you like to spend an evening with, in heaven? Richard Nixon. As a kid, what did you first want to be when you grew up? A news reporter. After your loved ones, what object would you first save from your burning home? My books. How would you choose to spend tomorrow, if you knew it was your last day on earth? I’d tell my daughter how much I love her. What day in your life would you choose to re-live? The Nixon resignation.
Personal mission: Making people laugh. Favorite quote: “Oh, horrible vultureism of earth! From which not the mightiest whale is free” (Herman Melville, Moby Dick). Desired epitaph: He always tried his best.
