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Comedy maven Larry Miller performs
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By Arlene Fine
Senior Staff Reporter
If you are a “Waiting for Guffman” or “Best of Show” fan, if you remember the belligerent doorman on “Seinfeld” or laughed yourself silly over Dean Richmond in “The Nutty Professor,” you know that Larry Miller is a very, very funny guy.
You can hear the California-based comedian, writer and actor do stand-up at Hilarities 4th St. Theatre, Nov. 20-22.
“I’ve performed in over 50 movies and hundreds of TV episodes, but there is no better venue for a comedian like me than a good comedy club like Hilarities,” says Miller, 55. “When the lights go down and I feel the intimacy of the audience, it’s clear that comedy, like hot jazz, lives in small clubs.”
Having an affinity for comedy is a blessing, says the New York native. “When I was growing up, I thought everyone liked comedy, and it was only natural to memorize the lines from every Bill Cosby album,” he says. He was never the class clown, but Miller hung out with friends who also thrived on humor. “We were constantly cracking the kind of jokes that had us pounding the table with laughter,” he says.
After graduating from Amherst College with a degree in classical music, Miller took a detour from law school to try his luck performing in New York clubs. He began playing piano and drums, but within six months he took a chance at stand-up. His edgy, intelligent humor resonated with audiences, and he knew he had found his calling. “There is no doubt that I was born to be a comedian,” he admits. “Fortunately, my parents were cheering for me and my wife, TV writer Eileen Conn, and I wish the same type of career experience for our two sons.”
Miller’s close circle of friends includes Jerry
Seinfeld (“we were baby comics together in New York”), Eugene Levy and Jay Leno. He is a regular guest on “The Tonight Show” and “Late Night with David Letterman.”
Miller’s experiences on and off stage have made him keenly aware of the therapeutic nature of comedy. “There is no greater feeling as a performer and as a human being than being able to make people laugh,” he says.
His strong connection to Judaism has caused Miller to reflect on the high number of great Jewish comedians. “It is no coincidence that American Jews from around 1905 to today have dominated comedy on many levels,” he says. “Humor has gotten our people through some very tough times.”
Even the study of Torah can be a source of humor, notes Miller. “Torah questions can lead to bristling conversations and, like comedy, cause people to think and rethink their traditionally held positions.”
Whether he is traveling to movie locations, TV shoots or live performances, Miller routinely attends a shul in whatever city he is in, especially on
Shabbat.
“It means a lot to me to know that all over the country I can find a community of Jews who have built a synagogue,” he says. When he goes to a temple “from Sioux City to Madison,” he says he feels an instant connection with the congregation.
Wherever there are Jews, he quips, “I can guarantee you will always find a few good furniture stores and, at the least, two synagogues.”
afine@cjn.org
WHAT: Larry Miller
WHERE: Hilarities 4th St. Theatre
WHEN: Thurs., Nov. 20 – Sat., Nov. 22 (five performances)
TICKETS: 216-736-4242 or pickwickandfrolic.com
You can hear the California-based comedian, writer and actor do stand-up at Hilarities 4th St. Theatre, Nov. 20-22.
“I’ve performed in over 50 movies and hundreds of TV episodes, but there is no better venue for a comedian like me than a good comedy club like Hilarities,” says Miller, 55. “When the lights go down and I feel the intimacy of the audience, it’s clear that comedy, like hot jazz, lives in small clubs.”
Having an affinity for comedy is a blessing, says the New York native. “When I was growing up, I thought everyone liked comedy, and it was only natural to memorize the lines from every Bill Cosby album,” he says. He was never the class clown, but Miller hung out with friends who also thrived on humor. “We were constantly cracking the kind of jokes that had us pounding the table with laughter,” he says.
After graduating from Amherst College with a degree in classical music, Miller took a detour from law school to try his luck performing in New York clubs. He began playing piano and drums, but within six months he took a chance at stand-up. His edgy, intelligent humor resonated with audiences, and he knew he had found his calling. “There is no doubt that I was born to be a comedian,” he admits. “Fortunately, my parents were cheering for me and my wife, TV writer Eileen Conn, and I wish the same type of career experience for our two sons.”
Miller’s close circle of friends includes Jerry
Seinfeld (“we were baby comics together in New York”), Eugene Levy and Jay Leno. He is a regular guest on “The Tonight Show” and “Late Night with David Letterman.”
Miller’s experiences on and off stage have made him keenly aware of the therapeutic nature of comedy. “There is no greater feeling as a performer and as a human being than being able to make people laugh,” he says.
His strong connection to Judaism has caused Miller to reflect on the high number of great Jewish comedians. “It is no coincidence that American Jews from around 1905 to today have dominated comedy on many levels,” he says. “Humor has gotten our people through some very tough times.”
Even the study of Torah can be a source of humor, notes Miller. “Torah questions can lead to bristling conversations and, like comedy, cause people to think and rethink their traditionally held positions.”
Whether he is traveling to movie locations, TV shoots or live performances, Miller routinely attends a shul in whatever city he is in, especially on
Shabbat.
“It means a lot to me to know that all over the country I can find a community of Jews who have built a synagogue,” he says. When he goes to a temple “from Sioux City to Madison,” he says he feels an instant connection with the congregation.
Wherever there are Jews, he quips, “I can guarantee you will always find a few good furniture stores and, at the least, two synagogues.”
afine@cjn.org
WHAT: Larry Miller
WHERE: Hilarities 4th St. Theatre
WHEN: Thurs., Nov. 20 – Sat., Nov. 22 (five performances)
TICKETS: 216-736-4242 or pickwickandfrolic.com
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