The Journey of an Improv Comedian: From Marine Biology to Middle Stardom

TLDRIn this interview, improv comedian Colin Mockery shares his unconventional path to comedy, starting from his initial plans to become a marine biologist. He discusses his beginnings in improv comedy in Toronto and the vibrant comedy scene at Second City. Colin also opens up about being an introvert and the misconceptions people have about him always being funny. Additionally, he talks about his advocacy for trans rights and his latest project, Hip-Proov, where improv meets hypnosis on stage.

Key insights

🎭Colin Mockery's career in comedy was unplanned and happened serendipitously, starting with a school play where he got his first laugh.

🏢Colin Mockery got his start in improv comedy at Second City in Toronto, where he honed his skills and performed every night.

👥Colin Mockery emphasizes that he is an introvert offstage and his wife is the funny one in their relationship.

🌈Colin Mockery is a vocal advocate for trans rights, inspired by his daughter's journey as a transgender individual.

🎭✨Colin Mockery's latest project, Hip-Proov, combines hypnosis and improv comedy to create a unique and unpredictable show experience.

Q&A

How did Colin Mockery start his comedy career?

Colin Mockery's comedy career began unexpectedly when he got his first laugh in a school play and decided to pursue comedy instead of his initial plan to become a marine biologist.

Where did Colin Mockery start doing improv comedy?

Colin Mockery got his start in improv comedy at Second City in Toronto, where he performed every night and honed his skills.

Is Colin Mockery always funny in real life?

Contrary to expectations, Colin Mockery describes himself as an introvert offstage and mentions that his wife is actually the funny one in their relationship.

What is Colin Mockery's involvement in trans rights advocacy?

Colin Mockery is an advocate for trans rights, inspired by his daughter's journey as a transgender individual. He actively supports the transgender community and promotes understanding and acceptance.

What is Hip-Proov?

Hip-Proov is Colin Mockery's latest project, which combines hypnosis and improv comedy. It involves a hypnotist selecting volunteers who then join Colin in an improvised performance, resulting in a unique and unpredictable show experience.

Timestamped Summary

00:00Colin Mockery, an improv comedian, joins the host for an interview.

00:35Colin reflects on his unconventional career in comedy, starting with a school play where he discovered his talent for making people laugh and decided to pursue comedy instead of marine biology.

01:23He talks about his beginnings in improv comedy at Second City in Toronto and recalls the vibrant and exciting comedy scene during that time.

02:46Colin discusses the misconception that people expect him to be funny all the time, emphasizing that he is actually an introvert and his wife is the funny one in their relationship.

04:38He shares his advocacy for trans rights and speaks about his daughter's journey as a transgender individual, expressing hope for a more inclusive and accepting future.

05:51Colin introduces his latest project, Hip-Proov, where he collaborates with a hypnotist to combine hypnosis and improv comedy, creating a unique and unpredictable show experience.

07:35He reflects on the ever-changing nature of his career and expresses excitement for future creative endeavors.

09:00The interview concludes with gratitude from Colin Mockery for the opportunity to share his story and experiences.