Meet stand-up comedian, Ryan Hamilton.
Growing up in Idaho and now making New York City his home, Ryan Hamilton is often lauded for being a “clean” comedian, steering clear of profanity and other objectionable material.
His comedy has most recently brought him to Carnegie Hall, where he opened for Gad Elmaleh and Jerry Seinfeld, and to a recently released Netflix comedy special, Happy Face.
Ryan has also racked up a number of national competition wins and festival appearances, and has become a regular at the Just For Laughs Comedy Festivals. He has made appearances on such television shows as The Late Show with Stephen Colbert, Conan, The Late Late Show, and Last Comic Standing.
You can follow Ryan on Twitter or on his Facebook page.
20 Questions with Ryan Hamilton
1. Your first job.
Sorting potatoes. Where I’m from in Idaho we get out of school for two weeks in the fall for the potato harvest. I bought my first car with my spud money. I was also a lifeguard which sometimes surprises people, and myself.
2. The job you always wanted as a child?
I wanted to be a syndicated newspaper humor columnist, like Dave Barry. When I was about 15, I called our county newspaper and asked if I could have a column and they said okay. I wrote it for several years, and it has all been icing on the cake since.
3. Your pet peeve.
4. Your hero.
So many people.
5. Your biggest indulgence.
Entire pint of ice cream right before bed once a month (ok, twice a month).
6. One thing no one knows about you.
I was 24 when I had my first kiss. I was also the senior prom king. This is the first time I’m realizing how incongruent those are, and I think that’s also accurate to who I am.
7. Three things you would want with you on a deserted island.
Toothpaste, toothbrush, and a flare gun or dental floss.
8. The one word your best friend would use to describe you.
Angel?
9. If you were not pursuing a career in comedy, what would you be doing right now?
10. Hero or villain?
A hero can never call himself a hero. (Credit: Brian Regan)
11. Your life’s motto/mantra.
Eat right, pack light, work tight. (Credit: Jerry Seinfeld in an interview I saw somewhere along the way.)
12. The song that gets the most play on your iTunes playlist.
Lately, Gypsy Queen by Van Morrison.
13. The one comedian who makes you laugh.
Jessica Kirson.
14. If you were a cartoon character what cartoon character would you be and why?
Bugs Bunny, right?
15. What will it say on your grave marker?
I would be very happy with “Friend to all.”
16. Who would you most like to have dinner with?
17. Your idea of happiness.
Cooking breakfast at home with some good music on, maybe do some dancing.
18. If you could go back in time, what would you tell your twenty year old self?.
Don’t worry about what other people say or think.
19. The one thing in your life that makes you most proud.
I’ve gone back to speak at my high school’s graduation twice. I think that’s enough times for now, but I’m very proud of the little town where I came from.
20. To be or not to be?
To be, obvi.