TEWKSBURY - Comedian and Tewksbury resident Dave Russo works anywhere between three to five shows a week. In 1999, he started making faces like actor Robert DeNiro. Russo doesn’t say anything; he just does the face.
“A lot of people recognize me for that,” he said. “They don’t know my name, they say, ‘the guy that does DeNiro.’”
Growing up in Malden with a brother, and sister, Russo started entertaining people at age 5. He attended Malden school systems, and made a name for himself in high school.
“I was Malden’s first ever state wrestling champion. I was voted MVP in the state of Massachusetts my senior year,” said Russo.
After high school, Russo divvied up his college career going to Wilkes University in Wilkes-Barre, Pa., and the University of New Haven in Connecticut.
When he was younger, Johnny Carson was an inspiration to Russo.
“My family always liked watching Johnny Carson,” he said. “We especially liked comedy night when they had comedian’s on Johnny Carson. Some people are born to be professional baseball players. Some people are born to be scientists. I was born to be an entertainer.”
Russo said his parents grew up in the 1950s. They followed Elvis, and the Rat Pack. Between dance competitions, participating in theater, or singing in church, Russo always had a knack for entertainment.
“Singing, and dancing has always been a part of my life,” he said.
Over the years, he has paired up with comedians Dave Chappelle, Lenny Clarke, Steve Sweeney, Don Gavin, Mitch Hedberg, and Chris Rock. He has appeared in shows outside the United States.
“I did a TV show in Amsterdam. It was like the David Letterman of America. I forget the name of the show, but it was back in 2001.”
He out-laughed — and outlasted — 5,000 entertainers to be a part of a 10-episode TV series “The Entertainer.” He won the very first “Best New Comic” award in Boston’s Comedy Festival, and appeared on NESN’s Comedy All-Stars. He also said he spent a month in Mexico, entertaining south of the border.
For Russo’s advertisement campaign, he sold a few hundred copies of a DVD he put together called “My Road to Vegas.” His first CD, “Gonaherpacyphalitus” came out in 2006.
“As of right now, I’m putting together some promo packs. Aug. 13, I’m taping the Phantom Gourmet. It’s going to be appearing on TV in September.” Russo is not sure what day it will appear, but will post video footage on his Web site at www.daverusso.net. On his Web site, Russo has a video from NESN’s “Comedy All Stars,” and will post more in the near future.
A joke that Russo is laughing about right now is his latest, “I have never had a surprise party. Well I’ve had one surprise party. Some people like to call it an intervention.”
Aside from comedy, Russo helps his friend out with landscaping; he helps produce shows, and is part of the fundraiser circuit around New England. He will perform at Patriot’s Place in September down at Gillette Stadium. It’s a fundraiser for the police around the state. Russo raised money for Make A Wish Foundation, Breast Cancer Awareness, along with the town of Malden to get new bulletproof vests. Joking around, Russo chuckles, “I give a lot to Charity, she’s a dancer in Vegas.”
Out of four Comedy Softball League teams, Russo’s team is in first at 7-1 as of Thursday, Aug. 7. He is on a men’s hockey team, and likes to golf.
No comments:
Post a Comment