FUNNY MEN WHO ACT AND DO STANDUP

Jonny Harris isn’t alone in being a comedian that some know better as an actor. Here are a few examples of peers who are often better recognized outside the standup arena.

Adam Growe The New York-born, Vancouverraised Growe has solid comedy credits that include Just for Laughs, standup series Comedy Now and almost 20 years as a top headliner. But it’s his gig as host of the game show Cash Cab that often draws the biggest cheers from audiences. Spectators have been known to shout, “Ask some questions!” during Growe’s standup act, a reference to the trivia queries players have to answer in Cash Cab. Rather than fight it, Growe has incorporated some of his Cash Cab self in his act. “You just gotta roll with it.” Darrin Rose Oshawa-born Rose is one of the most articulate and poised standups to come out of the GTA, but college guys used to seeing him as smooth-talking, womanizing bartender Bill on Mr. D are often surprised that his act is built around his childhood. “I thought it was going to be all about picking up chicks, man,” Rose jokes. “And that isn’t my act at all.” Rose, who is also host of the game show Match Game says even Mr. D star Gerry Dee gets curious looks from standup audiences. “They don’t realize (standup) is what got him ( Mr. D) in the first place!” Brent Butt The Saskatchewan-born Butt is, of course, best known as the co-creator and star of beloved Canadian sitcom Corner Gas, but he started honing his standup skills during the 1980s comedy boom and was a top headliner as far back as the early ’90s. For those who wonder why Butt is still doing standup, his answer is simple. “It’s the thing I love more than anything else!” As he told the Star during his 2014 standup tour, “Being known to the audience will give you five minutes. After that, you’ve got to bring it again.”