John Fox

John Fox is a stand-up comedian known for his legendary and often controversial reputation within the comedy world. He began his career during the early days of the comedy boom, and his comedic journey is filled with intriguing stories and memorable moments.

Although R-rated to the bone and always great for a healthy nose snort, it remains a mystery to us why Fox never achieved household-name status. Maybe we’re biased, because Fox was the first stand-up we recorded in 1987. The grand successes of his recordings encouraged us to jump into the deep end of the comedy recording pool. His comedy is as timeless and hilarious today as it was then. Like John told us when we recorded him in Indianapolis, his album is not topical and will be bought by comedy aficionados forever. Check out his albums “John Fox” as well as “I’m Fat, I’m 40.”

Part of what made John Fox a comedian beloved by so many listeners was his relatability. A John Fox story might be a bit coarse, but it’s never a story you forget.

John Fox comedian was born and started life as John Edward Moore on April 24, 1953, at Camp Lejune in North Carolina, where his father was stationed. He spent much of his early life in Illinois, where he developed a lifelong love of baseball, namely the Chicago Cubs. He held his first show at the World Famous Comedy Store–the legendary comedy club located on the Sunset Strip in West Hollywood. This was a bold beginning for a man known as the “Nick Nolte of comedy,” and it kicked off a long and fruitful career.

Fox was a perpetually popular guest on stand-up comedy specials in the 1980s and 1990s. He showed up on the beloved Star Search, which launched a significant number of iconic comedians. Among these were shows like Make Me Laugh and Showtime Comedy Club Network. Fox also appeared on video compilations, such as Truly Tasteless Jokes and Comedy’s Dirtiest Dozen.

Not only that, but Fox was lucky enough to work with some true legends too. Fox worked with Rodney Dangerfield on the HBO special Opening Night at Rodney’s and even had the thrill of voicing a pig in Dangerfield’s animated family film Rover Dangerfield. Being an early blue-collar comedian, Fox had the opportunity to appear on the initial Redneck Comedy Roundup DVD, which put him in the company of Bill Engvall, Jeff Foxworthy, and Ron White.

Alas, Fox succumbed to colon cancer in 2012. He was the first comedian we recorded at Laughing Hyena and we were devastated to see him go. He left behind these albums recorded at the peak of his career to enrapture his old and new fans. 

There was no topic too far for Fox to cover, from pornography to his sexual exploits. Despite the subject matter, Fox always had a warmth and charm that made any topic, no matter how adult it got, feel warmly likable. He is praised as a master of timing and joke delivery, with few rivals in this regard, including renowned comedians like Ron White.

In the end, John Fox’s reputation and the legends surrounding him are an integral part of the comedy scene, and his experiences reflect the evolving landscape of stand-up comedy. His comedic legacy is celebrated in the song “The Legend of John Fox” by Pat Godwin, a hilarious tune that encapsulates many of the stories and urban legends associated with Fox. Laughing Hyena’s albums are a fitting tribute to John Fox, one of the funniest men we have ever met.