Today we’d like to introduce you to Matt Ross.
Hi Matt, please kick things off for us with an introduction to yourself and your story.
I’m a stand up comedian. I was born and raised in Oklahoma City and lived my entire life there until 2016 when I moved to Florida. Growing up as a kid, I always loved watching stand up comedy. I’d even stay up late to watch the unedited comedy specials that Comedy Central would play at night. It’s always been something I loved. My life took a turn when I struggled with drug addiction, losing my interest in the things I loved. Stand up comedy being one of them. When I got sober and moved to Florida five years ago, I was simply trying to find my way and learn what I loved about life all over again. One of my roommates showed me a Netflix special he liked and it reignited my love for stand up, shortly following that a friend took me to my first live show at the Palm Beach Improv and seeing those people on that stage made me realize what I wanted, which was to be like them and make people laugh. I started writing jokes, running them by friends in conversation without them knowing. I scoured Instagram stalking local comedians and it took a long time for me to finally find an open mic and even longer to gain the courage to perform, but once I did I was hooked. Ever since then, I’ve been performing nearly every night of the week. Moving my way up into bigger shows and even venturing out of Florida to perform in different places all over the country. I found I loved stand up more than I ever thought I could. I found the passion I was looking for.
We all face challenges, but looking back would you describe it as a relatively smooth road?
I wouldn’t describe my life as a smooth road no, while I can say I’ve been blessed with people who helped me and loved me throughout my journey I’ve definitely struggled. I mentioned previously for years I struggled with addiction and overcoming that comes with it’s own battles. I’m grateful to say now that life is behind me and has been for over 5 years. As for as comedy is concerned if anyone in stand up tells you they had a smooth road then I need to find out what they’re doing. Stand up comedy for me has been a constant battle. Between me and the crowd as well as between me and my own mind. Constantly trying jokes that don’t work, thinking some work and finding out they don’t, driving or flying long distances just for shows to not go the way you want them to, and getting vulnerable in front of people night after night. I’ve had a good amount of luck and things have gone my way and I’m extremely grateful for those opportunities but stand up in itself is a bumpy road in my opinion. In the end I think all the struggles and adversity I’ve been through in life and in my comedy career has built me into the person I am today and taught me a lot of valuable lessons I wouldn’t of learned any other way which is a beautiful thing
Appreciate you sharing that. What else should we know about what you do?
What else should we know about what you do.
Well by now you know I’m a stand up comedian, and I think people don’t always understand the work that goes into telling silly jokes and I think that’s what I’d like people to know about what I, and other comedians, do. We get on stage night after night working on our our act, subjecting our thoughts to the crowd hoping they like it. This can be a scary and vulnerable thing, but the rush when it works is unlike any other. I think what sets me apart is my perspective and likability. From when I first started stand up to today, the compliment I get the most is being “likable” on stage. I’m not sure that’s something I do on purpose but I’m happy people think that. I think my perspective makes me unique as well. I’m only 28 but I’ve been through a lot in my life and it helps me to be able to take those experiences and find the humor in them. These past experiences help me in stand up and in my life outside of comedy.
Contact Info:
- Email: MattRossComedy@gmail.com
- Instagram: @MattRossComic
- Twitter: @MattRossComic
- Other: TikTok @mattrosscomic
