Paul Provenza (born July 31, 1957) is an American television presenter, actor, radio panelist, stand-up comedian, filmmaker, and skeptic based in Los Angeles. He has appeared on several podcasts and in recent years has interviewed other stand-up comedians. In 2005 he became a director, in 2010 an author and in 2011 he started producing for comedy festivals and television.

Life and career

Early years

Provenza was born and grew up in the Pelham Parkway section of the Bronx, New York City, and graduated in 1975 from the Bronx High School of Science. In high school, he started performing stand-up comedy, making his stage debut at age 17 at the original The Improv in Manhattan. He continued performing while attending the University of Pennsylvania, taking a year's leave of absence to study in London at the Royal Academy of Dramatic Arts. While at RADA, he joined a classical repertory theater group, becoming one of few Americans to perform the role of Romeo on the London stage.

Podcasts

Provenza has appeared on:

  • WTF with Marc Maron Episode 92 on July 22, 2010
  • The Longshot Podcast Episode 634 on June 6, 2013
  • Ken Reid's TV Guidance Counselor Podcast on February 25, 2015
  • Getting Doug with High along with Kelly Carlin on January 29, 2014
  • The Tony Perkins Show Episode 52 featuring Gary Stein on July 25, 2015
  • The Rubin Report Episode 32 along with David Silverman on April 29, 2016
  • The Todd N Tyler Radio Empire "2/24 4-1 Paul Provenza" on April 24, 2017

Directing

After decades as a stand-up comic and actor, Provenza found a new calling as an interviewer of other stand-ups, culminating in his 2005 directorial debut, The Aristocrats debuted with many of the same festival guest line-ups.

Producing

In 2011, Provenza began developing a new show called Set List - Stand-Up Without A Net. The show was originally devised by Troy Conrad and features stand-up comedians who are made to improvise their sets based on suggestions they receive. After successful appearances at worldwide comedy festivals including Just For Laughs, the Melbourne Comedy Festival and the Edinburgh Fringe, it was picked up for television by UK broadcaster Sky Atlantic. The series included performers Robin Williams, Drew Carey and Frank Skinner and was also broadcast in Australia on ABC2

Religious skepticism

Provenza was Master of Ceremonies at the 2012 Reason Rally held on the mall in Washington, DC, welcoming a crowd of approximately 30,000.

Author

In May, 2010, Provenza's book, ¡Satiristas!, with photography by Dan Dion was released by Harper-Collins. It features in-depth interviews with Stephen Colbert, Bill Maher, George Carlin, Marc Maron, among others.

Filmography

  • Odd Jobs - Byron (1986)
  • Pursuit of Happiness - David Hanley (1987–1988)
  • The Facts of Life - Casey Clark (1987–1988)
  • Kids' Court - Host (1988)
  • Miami Vice - TV series, "Miami Squeeze" (5x11) (1989)
  • Comics Only - Host (1991)
  • Empty Nest - Patrick (1992–1993)
  • Northern Exposure - Dr. Phillip Capra (1994–1995)
  • Phobophilia: The Love of Fear (1995)
  • Sabrina the Teenage Witch - Ethan (1996)
  • Beggars and Choosers - Parker Meridian (1999–2000)
  • The West Wing - Steve Onorato (2000)
  • Fixing Frank - Jonathan Baldwin (2002)
  • The Aristocrats - producer, director, editor (2005)
  • The Green Room with Paul Provenza - Host (2010–2011)

References