Meet Chris Calogero | Comedian and Actor

We had the good fortune of connecting with Chris Calogero and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Chris, do you have some perspective or insight you can share with us on the question of when someone should give up versus when they should keep going?
This is such an underrated question, but one that artists and creative types always have lodged in the back of their minds from day one. I think the answer is complicated and simple at the same time. My metric for whether to keep going or to give up comes from responding to one question: do you love it? If the answer is, “Yes I love it” then you keep going. That doesn’t mean you don’t have to change your approach or make some concessions based on the context of where your life is at the moment, but it’s all about finding a way to keep at it. Flexibility and change are your best friends when figuring out whether to continue trekking down the path you’re on or to pack it up and head home. Don’t give up on something you love just because you have to attack it differently now, the last thing you want to live with is regrets.

Let’s talk shop? Tell us more about your career, what can you share with our community?
I do stand-up comedy and have been at it for about 17 years. In the context of life and other real jobs, it’s easy, but in its own way it’s hard and for me in particular I’ve had some setbacks that really impeded my progress. Some of them I created on my own and some of them life threw in my way. I’m most proud of finding my way out of these slumps, evolving, and finding new ways to move forward. I overcame them by finding out that I truly loved comedy and making jokes and that this had to be enough for me to continue. You’re always searching for professional milestones, but when they don’t come or seem so apparent you have to remember why you were drawn to doing this in the first place. You have to humble yourself to your creative pursuits and sometimes start from scratch. And now I have my first comedy album coming out on August 29th and I am so incredibly proud of it and the work that has gone into creating it. In my time trying to write and tell jokes I’ve learned that there is always the next thing to move toward, no one thing is going to satisfy you for the long haul it’s all in the pursuit. Trying to figure out what the world should know about me? That’s a lot of pressure, I just want people to laugh, baby!

If you had a friend visiting you, what are some of the local spots you’d want to take them around to?
This is a great question! I’ve only been in LA for about 2 years so I’m still learning this myself! I think I’d take them out to some great dinners at Petit Trois (in the valley) and Taisho, two of my favorite restaurants in the city. But it’s not just fancy pants time cause we’d also be heading to Carnitas El Momo which I think are the best pork tacos I’ve ever had. It’s not a trip to LA without a hike right? I love the Griffith Observatory hike, the reward for getting up there is an incredible view and I am very partial to that James Dean bust as “Rebel Without a Cause” is one of my favorite movies. We’d absolutely have to hit two of my favorite bars: first up is Foxfire Room which is a Valley institution full of colorful characters and friendly bartenders. I don’t think you’ll find a bigger shot of liquor anywhere else in the city. (I have to be honest and say that we’d probably find ourselves at Foxfire Room on more than one of these nights.) We’d also go to The High Low in Atwater Village, they have a great drink menu, wonderful bartenders, and delicious bar food. The nachos are essential. And if it’s in season a Dodgers game would be in order, I love that stadium and to me, it doubles as a tourist attraction for out-of-towners. It’s a great ballpark to watch a night game at and sometimes you spot some fun celebrities in the stands which is always a thrill. That’s a full good LA week that leaves a person with a lot left to discover upon their return trip too!

Shoutout is all about shouting out others who you feel deserve additional recognition and exposure. Who would you like to shoutout?
I have two shoutouts if that’s legally allowed. First I have to shout out my wife, Emily Winter. Her love, support, and work ethic have pushed me to be not just a better performer, but a more complete person. I would be nowhere without her. Second, I want to shout out Sarah Kennedy and Kelli Trapnell. They are an incredible couple who opened a comedy club called Dry Heat in Albuquerque, New Mexico, and have generously allowed me to headline there multiple times. I mention this because the journey to me making my first comedy album can be traced back to my first time performing at Dry Heat, it’s where I re-discovered my love for stand-up and began really putting in the work again. I don’t know if my album would exist without that weekend in the desert. There are a lot of other people I could shout out, but I think we have to keep it moving otherwise I would be naming incredible people all day!

Website: https://ChrisCalogero.com

Instagram: @RealChrisCal

Twitter: @RealChrisCal

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/chris.cal/

Youtube: https://youtube.com/@christophercalogero8659?si=sDMwAqrr6LfYgyqU

Image Credits
Mindy Tucker
David Lawrence Byrd
Britney Small
Jenni Walkowiak