Today we’d like to introduce you to Lisa Corrao.
Hi Lisa, we’re thrilled to have a chance to learn your story today. So, before we get into specifics, maybe you can briefly walk us through how you got to where you are today?
The first time I realized I was funny was in kindergarten, when my teacher told my mom, “Lisa is funny.” My mom agreed, but my teacher grabbed her shoulders, looked her in the eye, and said, “No—she’s really funny.”
That tracked. Comedy was a big part of my childhood. My dad let me and my brothers stay up late to watch comedians on Letterman and Carson. My mom went to bed thinking we were asleep. We were not—we were in the living room howling at stand-up comedians!
Fast forward to adulthood, where I became a middle school science teacher… a hilarious one, obviously. By 30, I was a mom with a good life, but something felt off. I couldn’t believe I’d made it that far without even trying the thing I’d always imagined doing. I loved teaching, and I loved being a mom—but it wasn’t the dream. I used to joke with my students, “Just wait—I’ll be a comedian one day.”
Then that one day came when I went to a comedy show and saw the club offered classes. I had no idea how anyone actually became a comedian, so I thought, at the very least, this would give me a taste. I loved it. At the end of the course, we performed a graduation show at the Improv in Fort Lauderdale. After that first laugh, I was hooked big time. I figured I’d found a new hobby. At 30, I felt ancient compared to the other comics, who were mostly in their teens. The only comedians my age were already famous. So I told myself: this is just for fun. Enjoy the purest part of it—writing something funny, performing it, and getting a laugh. So that’s what I did!
But the “hobby” took off. I ended up doing over 100 commercials, playing Ramona the Witch on Nickelodeon’s Every Witch Way, and opening for some of my favorite comedians. I was living my dream—just not calling it that.
Then one day, while I was on tour with Patton Oswalt, he asked why I’d never recorded anything professionally. I didn’t have an answer. It hadn’t even occurred to me.
Soon after, I recorded my first comedy special at Comedy On State in Madison, Wisconsin. The original plan was to put it on YouTube—until Comedy Dynamics offered to buy it. Now my first special, A Cute Crisis, is available on Apple TV and Amazon Prime.
It feels like my career is just beginning… which I guess means it’s time to find a new hobby.
I’m sure it wasn’t obstacle-free, but would you say the journey has been fairly smooth so far?
My biggest challenge was navigating a male dominated field. I remember times when I’d be at a show, and people would ask me where my daughter was while I’m out telling jokes. I doubt anyone was asking the guys the same questions. It’s not like I left her in the car while I was doing a set! I hated that! If you’re a mom, you’re not expected to also have your own life. I grew up with a mom who worked and never felt she wasn’t there enough. I was always proud of her, and I was determined to make my daughter proud of me! Once I learned to stop caring what anyone else thought, I was much better off! There will always be people out there who are jerks, and the trick is to know who you are. Once w start believing them, we question ourselves. Be a good person and be true to who you are. We are all our own worst enemies!
Thanks for sharing that. So, maybe next you can tell us a bit more about your work?
I’m a stand-up comedian, actress, and a writer! I specialize in performing and making people laugh. I’m known for and am most proud of my first comedy special, A Cute Crisis on AppleTV and Amazon Prime. I believe what sets me apart from others is my silver hair! I started going silver when I was 21. I used to cover it with brown hair dye but at some point I realized that I was hiding something that makes me special. Nothing wrong with dying your hair if you want to but I didn’t want to anymore! Here I am, a little silver haired comedian and I love it!
Who else deserves credit in your story?
I couldn’t do this without my parents! They have been my biggest supporters. When you change careers, you’re taking a big chance and to have them has been everything! I have also been so lucky to tour with the best comedians like Patton Oswalt and Gilbert Gottfried. My best friends and my daughter are my biggest cheerleaders! It’s like having the best team in the world on your side!
Contact Info:
- Website: https://Www.LisaCorrao.com
- Instagram: https://instagram.com/lisacorrao
- Facebook: https://facebook.com/lisacorrao
