Spreading Laughter from East Coast to West Coast
Rhode Island born comedian Christian Paolo makes waves in Los Angeles comedy scene.
Christian Paolo performing at the Laugh Factory in Los Angeles. Photo courtesy of Christian Paolo.
Not many people would spend months sleeping on a shared couch, living in a cramped, cheaply made apartment in Los Angeles while working odd jobs to pay the bills; but that’s exactly what Rhode Island born and raised Christian Paolo did when he first moved to LA back in 2017. The move, which came after Paolo graduated from Lasalle Academy, brought Paolo to the City of Angels where he studied briefly at Santa Monica College.
The Scituate born current comedian and podcast editor got his first break when he met podcaster and comedian Theo Von through Paolo’s older brother, actor Gianni Paolo. That introduction led to the younger Paolo brother working for Von on his podcast, doing behind the scenes video work. Seeing Vons work compelled Paolo to give stand-up comedy a try, a desire Paolo hadn’t felt since high school.
“I just always loved making people laugh growing up. I was constantly in trouble in school for trying to make people laugh while being the class clown,” says Paolo about always instinctively wanting to cause laughter.
The road to stand up stardom though proved tough. Paolo held many jobs while still doing video work, trying to make a living for himself while chasing his dreams by working at various restaurants in the Los Angeles area. While doing video work, Paolo was given an exciting opportunity by Chaunte Wayans after she found out about his stand-up dreams, eventually offering him a slot to perform at one of her shows. Paolo’s few minutes on stage weren’t completely full of belly laugh provoking jokes, but they were still a huge deal.
“My big break came from Chaunte. Situations like that are always like trial by fire, but you do it because you never know what’s going to come from those opportunities. I say yes to pretty much everything because I don’t want to think I should have said yes and wonder what could have been,” says Paolo about his yes man mentality.
Christian Paolo performing on stage. Photo courtesy of Christian Paolo.
Paolo was in Rhode Island back in April to do a few hometown shows, performing at East Providence staple, Comedy Connection, and the historic Park Theater. The difference in his experience in his home state while performing compared to Los Angeles is noticeable.
Paolo laughs as he says, “coming back here is funny. LA people walk on eggshells while Rhode Islanders don’t have a filter and say whatever they want.”
The 27-year-old comedian is not yet where he’d like to be in his career but understands that keeping at it is the only way to make his dreams come true. Now living in Calabasas with his brother Gianni, Paolo hopes to book more in LA and make more trips home to perform in the future as those are the most special shows to him. Paolo in the last month flew home again to open for friend Shapel Lacy at the Comedy Connection.
Rhode Islanders are a specific breed with their determination and in this case, humor surrounding even the toughest situations. Paolo is proof that no matter how far you move, that Rhody blood runs deep. A state full of big dreamers, risk takers, and of course, townies. Having big dreams and taking risks could pay off for any Rhode Islander, it’s all about taking that first step.
“I put up with a not so comfortable situation when I first moved to California, but each time something happens for me and something goes my way, it all feels worth it,” says Paolo. “Despite my career in California, I’ll always be happiest to come home and make a few of my fellow Rhode Islanders laugh.”
