Comic laughes in face of adversity
Drink Smoke Snort Stroke is the raw tale of Kiwi comedian Willy de Wit’s life — from early career in stand-up comedy, to his successful and seminal TV show, to his work on the radio — but then beyond, to a world of alcoholism, chronic drug addiction, depression and a major stroke suffered for good measure. We asked Willy some questions:
What is Drink Smoke Snort all about?
Stroke
It’s a memoir and encompasses all aspects of my life: the successes with live comedy, television, music and radio, as well as my ongoing battle with depression, alcoholism, drug addiction and the near fatal stroke I suffered in 2016. There are hilarious stories I share from throughout my career involving infamous people I can’t mention for legal reasons, and famous people like Mick Jagger, Joe Walsh and Robin Williams that I can. It takes you on a roller coaster ride of emotions, including home invasions and guns to the head.
Why did you write the book?
I wrote the book after surviving a haemorrhagic stroke. I only had a 3 per cent chance of pulling through. It gave me a helluva wake-up call and I realised I didn’t want to leave this world without sharing my story — warts and all. I wrote it for others to know whatever you’ve been through, whatever you’ve done — however bad, you are not alone. If I can overcome all the obstacles I faced, you can too. No judgment here.
Many readers will remember you from your time on stage and on TV in Funny Business. Tell us about a couple of highlights.
Good, let’s focus on the highs! Having 10,000 people at a Greenpeace concert in Auckland singing the Funny Business song Norman the Mormon was pretty remarkable. Having the world’s first vasectomy on live television! (Covered in the book. Actually, should’ve been covered up by the book!) We were young, apolitical, and the material was deemed then to be edgy, slightly irreverent, but genuinely funny and breaking the mould comedically.
Did you always want to be a comedian?
I had no idea of what I really wanted to do when I left school, until a friend showed me an ad in the paper calling for funny people to come and try out for a comedy competition. ‘You’re funny, you should have a crack and enter,’ he said. Long story short, I did and that’s when I knew I wanted to be a comedian.
You were one of the original Radio Hauraki ‘Morning Pirates’. What did you enjoy most?
I LOVED, LOVED my 11 years on Radio Hauraki. And for the record, I never wanted to leave, we were given the bum’s rush. It was the whole gig, really — the music, the people we spoke to, and the callers. One of the funniest was Steve, the lucky 100th caller in a competition who scored a Fat Boy motorbike. He seemed a little underwhelmed, so off air I asked him why. ‘Yeah, well we may have a problem there,’ he said, ‘I don’t have any legs’!!!
Depression has impacted you throughout your life. Is there any one thing that triggered it?
I’ve battled depression off and on most of my life. There’s no actual trigger, depression hits without warning. Today, I am able to manage/ deal with it in far better ways than I used to.
You’re very honest in the book about your addiction to alcohol and later to meth. What advice would you give to younger premeth addicted Willy?
Meth nearly took my life . . . twice. If there’s one bit of advice I can give you, it’s this: DON’T DO METH. DON’T DO METH.
How is life treating you now?
Today, life is good. I have come to accept the fact I have physical limitations. And the key word I’ve learnt is patience. You can’t change what happened, so if it takes longer to do one physical thing, live with it. Accept it. You’re alive.