Comedians, especially comedians, are unique individuals who have a seemingly easy job to do but are actually very difficult to implement. Being funny on stage isn't as easy as it sounds, but where do comedians find the courage or the charisma to perform?
There are plenty of comedians who are overweight, and it's hard to ignore. But being overweight doesn't matter when it comes to comedy. A prime example is Melissa Peterman's Weight Loss–she was just as funny when she was overweight. Although being overweight probably shaped her personality and allowed her to be the comedian she is, losing weight didn't change anything.
As many comedians (Joe Rogan, Russell Peters, Andrew Schulz, Ms. Pat and many more) have already mentioned, being a comedian requires a certain personality that sets them apart from normal people. These are people who have experienced significant trauma in their lives or are leading unconventional lives, and they have found their way to laugh and make people laugh about it. It is true however that for many actors the laughter is only external because many suffer from depression. A classic example of depression among comedians would be Robin Williams. As much as he had touched the whole world with his comedy, he suffered from extreme depression and committed suicide as a result.
On the surface, stand-up comedians make their craft seemingly easy to do. The truth is, however, that finding success in this particular industry is not easy. Dealing with the rejection of a bad joke on stage takes a lot of emotional strength. Additionally, the comedian must be able to successfully tell a bad joke from a good one, and the only way to perfect a joke is to try it out in front of an audience. There is no way to practice in private, because what you find funny is not necessarily funny for an audience. There are so many minute details that a comedian needs to master to get the right response from their audience. This is why even successful comedians have to constantly visit small comedy clubs before compiling enough material to compose a hit comedy special that is recorded in front of a larger audience (like an arena).
Although acting is a talent that cannot be taken away from some comedians, they still have to work hard to be successful. For example, while Eddie Murphy's early appearances on SNL and his comedy specials (Delirious , and Raw) were very successful, and then his films were very popular – by his own admission, his re-emergence and return to acting after such a long hiatus is not easy. After all, he hadn't been on stage for 30 years. It took a lot of hard work and courage to get his fast-paced comedy back on stage. Ultimately, if you're considering becoming a comedian, know that you have your work cut out.
