stand-up comedian
and actor
.
Gaffigan was born in Chesterton, Indiana
and attended La Lumiere School
in La Porte, Indiana. He is the youngest of six children and often jokes about growing up in a large family. He attended one year at Purdue University
, where he was a member of the Phi Gamma Delta
Fraternity. He graduated from Georgetown University
's McDonough School of Business
in 1988.
Gaffigan's comedy
routines often include humorous, high-pitched "asides" representing commentary on his performance from a hypothetical naive and easily offended audience member.
It's like in most parts of America, where there was industry and there is no longer; there is cynicism mixed with sarcasm and some optimism. That's how my background influenced my comedy.
Not that I don't think irreverent humor and someone being filthy is funny, I just do what I do. Any comedian would admit throwing an f-bomb in there would help get a reaction. ... I'm not on a Puritanical pursuit, but when I would curse in a joke, I believe I'm not done writing it.
I talk kinda slow, especially for the Northeast, so it was a way to beat (would-be hecklers) to the punch.
I curse in everyday life, but usually when I stub my toe. The topics I'm discussing, it's not necessary to curse. I found [cursing] is a sign that a joke is not finished or well-written.
I liked the idea that my character was not gonna be the typical dumb guy that I play, typically. I also loved the fact that it was dealing with kind of adult-extended adolescence, which I think is always interesting -- a bunch of people that don't wanna grow up.
Yeah, I am a character actor.
I grew up in a family where no one was in the entertainment business. So stand-up and acting were seen as something unrealistic. I always thought it was just people in L.A. and New York that became actors or comedians.
People don't know who I am. Some people don't know I do standup. They just write that I'm that guy from those failed sitcoms. I always joke that 'I've never heard of me either.'