Are you on the hunt for an original, high-energy comedy album? Steven Pearl—Comedian extraordinaire—has you covered with his “Talking Trash” album. Born and raised in Long Island, New York, Pearl began his stand-up career in 1979, performing at iconic comedy clubs such as Catch A Rising Star and The Improv. In 1979, he moved to San Francisco, where he performed in the local comedy scene seven nights a week, building an impressive comedy skit routine over time.

By the middle of the 1980s, Steven Pearl had made a claim to fame as the first comic to have a show at the Holy City Zoo. He even opened for the legendary Sam Kinison. Kinison promised to get Pearl into the legendary Comedy Store if he took the plunge and moved to LA. When San Francisco’s opportunities ran dry, Pearl moved to the thriving comedy community of Los Angeles. This is where his career really took off.

As the home of Hollywood and the entertainment industry, it’s no surprise that L.A. is often known as the city where dreams come true for those with talent and determination. Although Pearl did find success in San Francisco, it turns out that L.A. was filled with opportunities for the witty and fast-paced Steven Pearl.

Success in L.A.

Despite the highly competitive nature of the 1980s L.A. comedy scene, Pearl held his own and continued to grow as both a writer and performer. He opened for Sam Kinison often, as well as Richard Pryor and many more on Sunset Strip. His first three shows at Comedy Store began right after Richard Pryor had been on stage, and Pearl worked hard to get the crowd laughing. Page back through the records and you’ll see that he didn’t disappoint. The Comedy Store crowds were soon enjoying weekly side-splitting comedy skits from this brilliant high-energy comedian.

Throughout the late 1980s, Pearl began appearing on numerous TV shows as well, including A & E’s An Evening at the Improv and Caroline’s Comedy Hour. As everything began to fall into place, Pearl also began touring extensively, performing at clubs, colleges, and festivals across the United States and worldwide.

The long hours developing jokes and performing on stage paid off for Pearl before long. Comedian  and actor Robin Williams hired Pearl as a writer for his stand-up comedy sessions; Pearl had the remarkable opportunity to help Williams form many of his witty comedic skits. Robin Williams wasn’t the only comedian he wrote for, either–it turns out that some of the most respected names in comedy hired him to write jokes. Unsurprisingly, Pearl also worked with legends like Bill Hicks and Jim Carrey. Carrey, in particular, turned out to be a perfect match for Pearl’s rapid-fire jokes as well.

Still as Witty as the 1980s

If you’d like to meet this amazing comedian in person, you still can. Pearl continues to perform these days in Las Vegas, where he’s welcomed at fantastic comedy clubs like The Laugh Factory. You can also catch live performances at the Jokesters Comedy Club. Pearl continues his prolific career as a writer and performer today, and his new and old content alike still feels like you’re listening to the Energizer Bunny cracking jokes after drinking a Red Bull. You’ll be excited, laughing, and maybe even kicking your feet as you enjoy a memorable performance from Steven Pearl.

There’s no true substitute for being in a comedian’s live audience and getting the chance to shake their hand after they leave the stage, but if you can’t make it to an in-person show, enjoy Pearl’s fast-witted humor here at Laughing Hyena Records. We’ve saved plenty of his original sketches for your enjoyment. Fall in love with this comedian and share the laughs with family and friends.

Showing the single result