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With a subtle and intelligent comedic style, Jake Johannsen
is quickly becoming one of the most respected comedians for his ability to give the most
common element new meaning. Not many comedians will devote six minutes to a single
subject, especially one as seemingly mundane as a toaster or as strange as his conviction
that extraterrestrials are working among us.
 Jake was nominated as "Best Male Stand-Up Comedian"
for the 1994 American Comedy Awards. His bizarre take on life has prompted critics to
observe that he "conjures up some of the strangest imagery this side of Gary
Larsen's comic strip, The Far Side."
He starred in his own HBO Comedy Special titled "This'll
Take About an Hour," which premiered to rave reviews. People Magazine's 1992
year end issue listed "This'll Take About An Hour" as one of the Ten Best
Television Shows, putting Jake in the same company as "The Tonight Show." Jake
also received an Ace Award nomination for best writing in an Entertainment Special for his
work on "This'll Take About An Hour."
Other television credits include "HBO Young Comedian's
Special" and public television's "Comedy Tonight"
series. He hosted Comedy Central's "Two Drink Minimum" and
has appeared more than thirty times on "The Late Show with David Letterman."
 Jake was seen in the Robert Altman produced, Alan Rudolph ("Choose
Me") feature film "Mrs. Parker & the Vicious Circle",
distributed by Fine Line Features which premiered at the Cannes Film Festival to rave
reviews. Jake had a costarring role in a cast that included Mathew Broderick, Jennifer
Jason Leigh and Campbell Scott.
Man vs. machine, extraterrestrials and relationships are just some of
the eclectic themes that Jake Johannsen reflects upon. If anything is his trademark, according to
Johannsen it is his longer, convoluted stories. "I'm talking about things that
everybody can relate to and I think I have my own idea of where the problem is. I don't
feel I make them deliberately bizarre."
Born in Iowa City, Jake attended Iowa State University in Ames in the
early 1980s as a veterinarian major, later changing to chemical engineering. "I
started college when the emphasis was on learning something that would get you a
job." After three years in college Johannsen decided to leave the safe confines of
Iowa and relocate to San Francisco to be part of the burgeoning comedy scene with such
upstarts as Dana Carvey and Bobcat Goldthwait.
Shortly after his west coast arrival, Jake
Johannsen made his comedic debut at San
Francisco's Cobbs Comedy Club during an open mike night. In 1986, he won the 11th Annual
San Francisco Stand Up Comedian Competition. Jake also appeared in the "HBO Young
Comedians Special" and on public television's "Comedy Tonight" series. In
addition, Jake hosted Comedy Central's "Two Drink Minimum," a half hour series
that showcased the freshest faces in stand-up comedy.
Johannsen has established himself as one of the country's most prominent
comedians and continues to headline across the country.
Jake Johannsen may be available for your next special
event!
For booking information, click
HERE!
Rating:
DG, DPG, DR
For ratings guide, click here.
Born:
..in Iowa
..in Iowa City
Based:
..in California
..in Los Angeles
Showcase video available.
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