James P. Connolly

James P. Connolly is an American comedian and tv/radio host known for his frequent guest appearances on the nationally syndicated Bob and Tom Radio Show, former host of VH1's Movie Obsessions and the host of We Are The Mighty. In 2002, Connolly was named Grand Comedy Champion on Next Big Star on TV Talent show hosted by Ed McMahon.[1] He is one of the most played comedians on Sirius XM Comedy and a sought after host for Fortune 500 companies and global events.[2] Connolly's smart, playful style and smooth commanding voice often draw comparison to comedian Steve Martin.[3]

James P. Connolly
Birth nameJames P. Connolly
BornSan Mateo, California, United States
MediumStand-up, television, radio
NationalityAmerican
Years active1995–present
GenresObservational comedy, alternative comedy
Subject(s)pop culture, personal life, hipster
SpouseMichelle Connolly
Websitejamespconnolly.tv
Military career
AllegianceUnited States
Service/branchUnited States Marine Corps
RankCaptain
Battles/warsOperation Just Cause (Panama), Operation Desert Shield, Operation Desert Storm
AwardsNavy Commendation Medal, Combat Action Ribbon, Kuwait Liberation Medal, Southwest Asia Service Medal

Early life

James P. Connolly was born and raised in San Mateo, California.[4] He graduated Aragon High School. He attended Harvard University on a Marine Corps ROTC Scholarship.[5]

Military service

After college, Connolly was stationed at Marine Corps Base Camp Pendleton, rising to the rank of captain, and served in Operation Desert Shield and Operation Desert Storm.[1][6] There, his commanding officer, commissioned Connolly to write jokes for an officer's roast, which Connolly credits as the start of his comedy career.[7]

Career

After a short stint as a karaoke DJ in San Diego, Connolly relocated to Los Angeles, California, where he began his comedy career at the World Famous Comedy Store in 1995 and worked as a Tour Guide at Universal Studios.[1] Connolly began his career with a hipster onstage persona before losing the white jacket and the hipster style for a more contemporary look.[8]

Connolly has appeared on Comedy Central and HBO. He won Grand Comedy Champion on Ed McMahon's short-lived talent show and has made multiple trips overseas to entertain the troops. He is a go-to for Fortune 500 companies and travels the world for events and meetings. Connolly hosted VH1's "Movie Obsessions" and "Live From Here" on XM Radio for National Lampoon.[2] In October 2013, he recorded the SiriusXM Blue Collar Radio Comedy Concert at SirusXM's Nashville Studios.[9]

Awards

Connolly was named Grand Comedy Champion on Next Big Star on TV Talent show hosted by Ed McMahon.[1] He was awarded "Best of the Fest" at the San Luis Obispo Comedy Festival and four times in a row at the Burbank Comedy Festival.[10] He was a finalist at the San Francisco International Comedy Competition (twice),[11] Comedy Central National Stand Up Comedy Competition and the Boston Comedy Festival (twice).

Discography
  • Connolly, James P. (2004). Pure Polyester (CD, Comedy/Spoken).[12]
  • Connolly, James P. (2006). The Master Plan (CD, Comedy/Spoken).[13]

Television, film and radio

Television appearances
  • Comedy Central – "Make Me Laugh" (1997)
  • Jerry Lewis Telethon (1997, 1998)
  • Movie Obsessions (2002)
  • Next Big Star, w/Host Ed McMahon (2001–2002)
  • Latino Laugh Festival: The Show – Si Tv (2004)
  • An American Thanksgiving with Bryant Gumbel (2006)
  • Bob & Tom TV Show WGN (2008)
  • Comics Unleashed (2015)
  • America's Got Talent (2017)
  • Larry Charles’ Dangerous World of Comedy (2019)

Film
  • Boxing's Been Good to Me (2000)
  • The Act (2004)
  • Holding Lucid (2014)

Radio

References
  1. "Columnist Lisa Ferguson: 'Duty' called Connolly back into service". LasVegasSun.com. January 21, 2005. Retrieved May 13, 2016.
  2. "Comedian James P. Connolly". funny-business.com. Retrieved May 13, 2016.
  3. Andelman (November 18, 2009). "Comedian James P. Connolly sounds like Steve Martin–seriously!". Mr. Media Interviews. Retrieved May 13, 2016.
  4. "Comic conquers Fallujah — Sunnyvale should be no problem". East Bay Times. December 10, 2004. Retrieved December 27, 2020. San Mateo native
  5. "James P. Connelly opens weekend at Stir Crazy Comedy Club Thursday night". Your Valley. February 5, 2020. Retrieved December 27, 2020. Mr. Connelly attended Harvard University on a Marine Corps ROTC Scholarship. While serving in Desert Storm, he was ordered to write jokes for a Colonel.
  6. "For members of Comics on Duty, laughter is job No. 1". Stars and Stripes. Retrieved May 13, 2016.
  7. Connolly, James P. "Marine Lieutenant Desert Storm Veteran Returns to Gulf As a Stand-Up Comedian to Entertain Troops in Iraq Over the Holidays". www.prnewswire.com. Archived from the original on June 4, 2016. Retrieved May 13, 2016.
  8. "Comics For Hire Presents: James P. Connolly". www.comicsforhire.com. Retrieved May 13, 2016.
  9. "016: Harvard, Marines &, 'Veteran Artist Program ' – Podcat". www.podcat.com. Retrieved May 18, 2016.
  10. "Best of The Fest 2015 – Burbank Comedy Festival". Burbank Comedy Festival. Retrieved May 17, 2016.
  11. "Past Winners and Finalists of the San Francisco International Stand Up Comedy Competition". San Francisco International Stand Up Comedy Competition. Retrieved May 17, 2016.
  12. Pure Polyester - James P. Connolly | Releases | AllMusic, retrieved December 27, 2020
  13. The Master Plan - James P. Connolly | Releases | AllMusic, retrieved December 27, 2020
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