Meet Gary Brightwell | Writer/Stand Up Comedian

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

Hi Gary, what led you to pursuing a creative path professionally?
I really don’t think I chose a creative career, it kind of chose me. I gave up a career in aerospace engineering to pursue a career in stand up comedy based on a fluke opportunity and with the help many people along the way, I have been able to make not only a living, but also acquire many other successes such as writing for television, and hosting my own show on Sirius/XM radio.

Let’s talk shop? Tell us more about your career, what can you share with our community? What you are most proud of or excited about?

I’m most proud of the work I have done along the way to get me here. I’m excited about what that next phone call may bring- if it’s a stand up comedy opportunity or a writing gig. You never know what’s in store for you.

How did you get to where you are today professionally?

Every comedian’s story of how they got into comedy is different. Mine came from a fluke opportunity.

I was always a huge fan of comedy. I was working full time as an engineer at a major airplane manufacturer and I was working nights at the Hermosa Beach Comedy and Magic Club as a waiter. I loved working there so I could just be around stand up comedy. After roughly six months of working at the comedy club, I was asked to fill in for the vacationing emcee. The owner felt I had a welcoming personality and he thought I could host and run the shows until the regular emcee’s vacation was over. Nervously I hosted the shows that week and even tried a few jokes I had written. From then on, I was hooked. A few months later, when the regular emcee left to pursue his career in stand up, I was asked to be the permanent host. That was the moment I quit my engineering job to commit my full attention to a comedy career.

Was it easy?

No! It’s like that old saying, “If it was easy, then everybody would be doing it”.

How did you overcome the challenges?

Along with the accomplishments, there are even more hard times in this business. There is an enormous amount of rejection, but with hard work and encouragement from others in the business, the smaller successes keep you moving forward. It is a challenge that I enjoy.

What are the lessons you’ve learned along the way?

I think what I have learned along the way can be stripped down to three things and can be applied to any job. I try to live by these three rules when it comes to my comedy career:

1. Show up on time or early.
2. Do exactly what is asked of you.
3. Be a good person to everyone around you and don’t cause problems.

That said, for over 20 years, I have been a working stand up comedian. I travel all over the United States and the world telling jokes in addition to writing and hosting shows on radio and television.

What do you want the world to know about you or your brand and story?

I love to laugh and it brings me great satisfaction to entertain my audiences. Come see me live and you are bound to have a good time.

If you had a friend visiting you, what are some of the local spots you’d want to take them around to?
When friends visit, I love showing them the sights, especially in the summer months because there is just so much to see and do. There are the typical Southern California excursions, such as a day at the beach or other seaside activities. Since I’m a car guy, I enjoy taking my guests to car related events. Maybe we’d start a day at one of the many “Cars and Coffee” gatherings around town. There is a great one on the first Saturday of every month in Palos Verdes, or one on the last Saturday of the month located in the parking lot of “The Point” shopping center in Manhattan Beach. For a more local vibe, there is an event every Friday afternoon near the Seaside Lagoon in Redondo Beach with a band and good people watching. I might take my friends for a drive to Los Angeles to tour “The Petersen Auto Museum”.

On any afternoon I might take my convertible “Speedster” for a cruise up the coast to Malibu, have appetizers and a drink at any of the coastal restaurants along that stretch of Pacific Coast Highway and stay for the sunset.

Another night might include margaritas and a great Mexican food dinner at Maderos Cocina Mexicana in Redondo Beach, then maybe catch a comedy show at The Comedy and Magic Club in Hermosa.Beach.

If its a seafood night, probably head down to the marina and hit “The Blue Water Grille” in Redondo and then maybe after head to “Top Golf” in El Segundo to hit some golf balls and partake in a cocktail or two.

Finally, because it’s summer and it’s baseball season, I always enjoy a Sunday afternoon ball game. You can’t go wrong with either S CA team, the Dodgers or the Angels. I’m a fan of both. It’s always a great day to take in America’s greatest pastime.

Shoutout is all about shouting out others who you feel deserve additional recognition and exposure. Who would you like to shoutout?
I think my shoutouts should include my parents for supporting me as I left a stable engineering career in aerospace to pursue a career in comedy. Mike Lacey the owner of the Comedy and Magic Club for giving me a chance and the valuable stage time.
Comedians Brian Regan, Bill Engvall, and Pat Hazell for taking me on the road with them and being someone I can always call with questions.
Kristen Rini for all of the rest.

Website: www.garybrightwell.com

Instagram: @gary_brightwell

Twitter: @gary_brightwell

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/gary.brightwell

Image Credits
Kristen Rini