Paul Provenza has been recognized in the world of TV, theater and stand-up comedy for more than two decades. Funny, intelligent, provocative and challenging, his standup comedy has been critically acclaimed as bright, edgy and honest by journalists across North America and in the UK. An accomplished comedian, a classically trained actor and now an innovative filmmaker, his versatility has taken him all over the entertainment map – and the map of the world.
Born and raised in New York City, Provenza attended the prestigious Bronx High School of Science, and by the age of 16, he was already writing and performing standup comedy and heading for the stage of the legendary original New York IMPROV.
His beginnings were auspicious: Still waiting to get onstage at 3:00AM his first night at Improv, he begged the emcee to put him on soon – because he had to be at school in just a few hours. Himself a struggling young unknown, the emcee laughed and said, “Sure, kid,” as he brought Paul onstage. Years later, Paul was on the panel of “The Tonight Show” reminding Jay Leno of that night he gave Paul his first break in standup comedy.
Continuing to perform and write comedy while attending the University of Pennsylvania, he graduated with the first Theater Arts degree in the history of the University. Taking a leave of absence from U of P, he headed to London to study with the Royal Academy of Dramatic Arts, and joined a classical repertory theater company. At the age of 20, he became one of few Americans given the rare privilege of playing the role of “Romeo” on the British stage.
Since then, Paul has gone back and forth between acting and standup comedy in every medium from TV to theater to film. He has been a guest on every major talk show from “The Tonight Show starring Johnny Carson” to “The Tonight Show starring Jay Leno,” “The Late Show with David Letterman,” “Late Night with Conan O’Brien,” “The Jimmy Kimmel Show,” “The Daily Show with Jon Stewart” and was a favorite on “Live with Regis & Kathy Lee.” He has appeared on every major television show featuring standup comedians, and his bright, spontaneous, cutting wit made him a frequent favorite guest on ABC’s “Politically Incorrect.” He also appearred with Penn & Teller on their internationally broadcast special, “Phobophilia.”
Equally at home on stages of all sizes, he has performed for an audience of over 80,000 at the University of Florida’s Homecoming (The Gator Growl), and opened for music superstars such as Diana Ross, The Beach Boys and many others in Las Vegas and on national tours. He has played college campuses and comedy clubs all over North America and England. He has appeared numerous times in Montreal’s international Just For Laughs Festival, at The Aspen/HBO Comedy Arts Festival (live, and broadcast on Showtime), The Glastonbury Festival of Contemporary Performing Arts in England, the Rotterdam International Comedy Festival in Holland, and New Mexico’s eclectic Revolutions International Theater Festival.
He has written, produced, and starred in several comedy specials, including his own one-man show for Showtime, “The Incredible Man-Boy,” which critics hailed as “flawlessly written and performed,” and “the best half hour of comedy as you are likely to find anywhere.” The special was named in several “Ten Best TV Shows” lists in newspapers around the country that year.
Exploring the boundaries of TV comedy, Paul wrote, produced, and starred in the unique comedy talk show series “Comics Only” on Comedy Central, one of the first bona fide hits on the then brand new network’s schedule. A favorite of critics for its originality and offbeat sensibility, the show was honored with two Cable Ace Award nominations — Best Entertainment Host for Paul, and Best Comedy Series for the program.
Also for Comedy Central, Paul wrote and starred in the experimental “Pulp Comics.” His uncompromising social commentary on that show earned a NY Times review comparing his work to that of the legendary Lenny Bruce. Still another Comedy Central special,” Lounge Lizards,” also captured critical praise and a loyal following for Paul.
As an actor, among other innumerable TV appearances, Paul was a series regular on the long running NBC hit “Empty Nest,” and also starred in his own short-running ABC series “The Pursuit of Happiness” with Brian Keith, while simultaneously a series regular on The Facts of Life. He co-starred with Keanu Reeves and Andy Griffith in the critically acclaimed CBS feature “Under The Influence,” receiving rave notices for his dramatic performance as the struggling son of an alcoholic father.
Expanding his experience behind the camera, Paul combined his comic sensibilities with his interest in the sciences co-producing and co-writing a series of specials for the Sci-Fi Network, Fi-Sci with Penn Jillette – a comedy/reality show that examined the real science behind science fiction.
Many people still instantly recognize Paul as one of the stars of CBS’s “Northern Exposure,” where his ‘Doc Capra’ took over for Fleischman as the new doctor adjusting to life in Cicely, Alaska. Following that, he starred simultaneously as ‘Parker Meridian’ on the critically celebrated Showtime hit series, “Beggars & Choosers” as well as in a recurring role as powerful Senate aide ‘Steve Onorato’ on NBC’s “The West Wing” and co-starred with Daniel Baldwin in a WB pilot, “Aces.”
Among his work in theater, Paul starred in the Off-Broadway hit Only Kidding! for which he received a Theater World Award for Best Actor, as well as a Drama Desk Award nomination for Best Actor, and unanimous critical acclaim for his “virtuoso performance.” In Los Angeles, Paul starred in The Chicago Conspiracy Trial, earning rave reviews again as the fierce and funny Abbie Hoffman. He also starred in the Pasadena Playhouse’s West Coast premiere of Joe DiPietro’s comedy, The Kiss at City Hall, and in the world premier production of Howard Gould’s comedy, Diva at the La Jolla Playhouse.
Paul had the great pleasure of working with Steve Martin, playing the title role in his hit play, Picasso at the Lapin Agile in both the New York and San Francisco productions, as well as on National Tour and regionally. Critics praised his “grandiose comic sparks” and “sexy, passionate portrayal” of the genius painter in this bright, witty farce: “You can’t find any funnier actors than Paul Provenza as Pablo Picasso…”
In front of the camera, Paul has completed several offbeat, alternative independent including the provocative drama Fixing Frank, the romantic comedy The Hungry Bachelors’ Club and film festival award winners Ted (believe it or not, a surreal comedy about the Unabomber), Chow Bella, The Idea of Sex, and the action/thriller, Stealing Candy. Paul also co-starred with Vince Vaughn in a short film introducing the ESPY Awards on ESPN, and in promotional spots in advance of the event. He appeared in Christopher Guest’s For Your Consideration, and in the soon-to-be-released independent dark comedy, Chasing Robert.
Continuing to explore stand up comedy, Paul has been cultivating an ever-widening audience. Not content performing all over the United States and Canada, Paul performed his own one-man show, Myth America, at the Edinburgh Fringe Festival in Scotland, and has spent the past several years performing on a worldwide tour through Holland, England, Wales, Ireland, Scotland, France, Australia, Kuwait, Qatar, and Dubai and Abu Dhabi in the United Arab Emirates, and in Hong Kong, Singapore, Beijing, and Shanghai, China.
Due to Paul’s ubiquitous presence on the comedy scene, he also currently serves as an artistic and programming consultant to The Montreal Just For Laughs festival, The Lakeshore Theater in Chicago, and programs the annual Free Speech Comedy Arts Series at The Revolutions International Theater Festival in Albuquerque, bringing new, innovative talent from around the world to American audiences.
Currently, Paul also appears regularly as a recurring panelist on NPR’s popular current events comedy quiz show, “Wait, Wait… Don’t Tell Me” where he has gained yet another audience of loyal fans.
Rex Sikes’ Movie Beat chats with producer/comedian Paul Provenza, Part 1
Rex Sikes’ Movie Beat chats with producer/comedian Paul Provenza, Part 2
Rex Sikes’ Movie Beat chats with producer/comedian Paul Provenza, Part 3
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