November, 2009 – Bobby Collins, Comedy Was His Destiny

Cultural Corner

Bobby Collins – Comedy Was His Destiny

by Glenn R. Swift

As one of today’s leading and most sought after comedic talents, Bobby Collins heartfelt and witty humor engages audiences with a clever blend of characterizations and hilarious observations to which everyone can relate.

Collins shows people themselves. While half the audience is nodding in knowing approval from hearing him tell some of their favorite stories and from seeing him on TV, many of the “newbies” are there because they’ve recently heard him on satellite radio. It’s that enthusiastic fan base and the tremendous word of mouth buzz that sells

out Bobby Collins’ shows.

Collins lives to make people laugh. From the moment he hits the stage, he connects with the crowd, gets into their mind and draws them inside his world. They willingly surrender to his energy and visual antics targeted directly at tickling their funny bones.

Tickle them he does.

He holds up a mirror to each of us and helps us not to take ourselves so seriously. From starring in his own Showtime specials and being Rosie O’Donnell’s predecessor to hosting VH1’s Stand-Up Spotlight, to opening for such names as Cher, Dolly Parton, Julio Iglesias and Tony Bennett, Bobby Collins delivers. He was nominated for a CableACE Award as well as for the American Comedy Awards “Stand-up Comic of the Year.” Collins’ first CD, On The Inside, showcased his wide-ranging observational material and his second CD, Out of Bounds, earned him a Grammy nomination. His most recent DVD, Bobby Collins: Live From New York City, was released in April, 2007 to critical acclaim. While live stage performances in New York, Las Vegas and Atlantic City are forever expanding his list of faithful followers, Collins has also appeared in five feature films and numerous television shows.

As for how he ended up doing what he does, you could say comedy was Collins’ destiny. Growing up in a large family in a rough neighborhood of Queens, NY, Collins knew he wanted to be a comedian when everyone gathered to watch the Ed Sullivan show and the laughs never ceased.

“At school I was a total class clown,” he recalled. “I used my wit and humor to get out of fights and doing homework.” Then again, there’s often something in a name.

“I was named after my father’s favorite comedian, Bob Hope. Although I never saw him perform, a newspaper reporter from New York City caught my act in Philadelphia when I was performing there for the first time. The guy liked me so much he put me on the entire cover of the paper’s weekend section. Funny thing is, lost in the cover’s corner was a tiny picture of Bob Hope. While I was visiting with friends at the club, a black limousine pulled up and the driver handed me a manila envelope. There was a signed photo of Bob Hope inside along with a handwritten note saying ‘How dare you get top billing on a weekend’ with a happy face drawn at the bottom. I still have it to this day.”

Ironically, Collins was well on his way to a very successful career in corporate America. In fact, at age 26 he was atop the corporate ranks as vice president of Calvin Klein, but one night at a local comedy club in Manhattan, Collins had what you could call a “conversion experience.”

“After about an hour and a half at the club my girlfriend wanted to leave, but I was having way too much fun and told her, ‘Sorry, I’ve got to stay.”

What happened next?

“I got a cab for her,” laughed Collins.

What happened to the girlfriend?

“I married her,” cracked Collins.

Not long after that memorable evening, Collins convinced the staff at one of Manhattan’s premiere comedy clubs, Catch A Rising Star, to let him take the stage. Needless to say, he was a hit. Collins then continued to hone his skills until arriving on the Las Vegas scene a couple years later. He gave up Calvin Klein and it’s been a riot ever since.

“Making someone laugh for a few minutes of their day is a very gratifying experience,” Collins said. “They may be going through a difficult time in their life and not have laughed for quite awhile. I appreciate those moments when I help make a difference by connecting in a positive way.” With reverence to his favorite entertainment icons, he describes his comedic style as a combination of the physical movement of Jerry Lewis, the sleek, good looks of Dean Martin, the heart of George Burns and the city spunk of David Brenner. Don’t miss out on seeing one of the biggest comics on the circuit today when Bobby Collins takes the stage at the Sunrise Theatre, Friday, November 6 at 8 p.m. For tickets or more information, call (772) 461-4775 or visit www.sunrisetheatre.com.   

“Laughing can be a stress reliever. And when I interact with the audience, they see new things about their everyday world that make them smile. It’s a release.”