Tom Cotter

Tom Cotter, a Providence native, has established himself as a prominent figure in American comedy. He initially gained success within the Boston comedy scene and demonstrated early talent by winning Seattle's International Stand-Up Comedy Competition in 1994. Further recognition followed with victories at the Boston Comedy Festival, securing the grand prize in what was described as the largest margin of victory in the festival’s history, and earning the title of Best Stand-Up at the Las Vegas Comedy Festival. These accomplishments set the stage for a career spanning film, theatre, and television productions.

Cotter's national exposure significantly increased with his appearances on major television programs. He participated in Last Comic Standing and filmed a half-hour comedy special for Comedy Central in 2003. In 2012, he reached the final round of America's Got Talent, performing stand-up routines including one focused on college experiences. The following year, he returned to 'AGT' as a special guest star and hosted an AGT viewing party. Notably, he was the first comedian to be a finalist on the show, though he ultimately lost to a dog act. His performances on 'America’s Got Talent' led to appearances on 'The Tonight Show with Jay Leno' and 'The Late Late Show with Craig Ferguson,' further solidifying his presence in mainstream entertainment.

Beyond television, Cotter continues to actively perform and expand his creative output. He has appeared on ‘The Howard Stern Show,’ ‘Comics Unleashed,’ and hosted 'Gotham Comedy Live' on AXS-TV. His performances regularly take him to renowned comedy clubs such as The Comedy Cellar, The Improv, and Caroline’s On Broadway, as well as international venues including London, China, and Alaska. He has also graced prestigious festivals like the Montreal ‘Just For Laughs’ Festival and the HBO Comedy Arts Festival. In 2016, he released his first book, 'Bad Dad: A Guide to Pitiful Parenting'. As of 2012, Cotter was developing an idea for a book, which materialized in this publication. He has also appeared on Fox News Channel and had a role in an episode of CBS’ ‘The Good Wife,’ demonstrating his versatility. He is married to Kerri Louise, who is also a comedian, and performed in 'America's Got Talent: The Champions' in January 2019, receiving a standing ovation.