Global Talent Directory

Comedians Directory

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Italy

Daniele Luttazzi

Daniele Luttazzi, born Daniele Fabbri on January 26, 1961, in Santarcangelo di Romagna, is an Italian comedian, actor, writer, and satirist. His stage name is a tribute to musician and actor Lelio Luttazzi. Beginning in 1988, Luttazzi's professional journey commenced with theatrical satirical monologues and the authorship of comedic books. He won a comedy contest at Rome's Teatro Sistina in 1988 and the 'La Zanzara d'oro' competition for young comedians in May 1989. Throughout the late 1980s and 1990s, he appeared on various Italian television programs including Fate il vostro gioco, Banane, Magazine 3, Mai Dire Gol, D.O.C., and briefly on the Maurizio Costanzo Show. In 1998, Luttazzi presented a program of his own, titled Barracuda, as a late-night host. His work gained widespread recognition for his appearances on RAI’s Satyricon, which he hosted in 2001. Luttazzi's career has been marked by controversy and legal battles. Satyricon was cancelled after a controversial interview about Silvio Berlusconi's wealth, leading to him being cited by European press as an example of censorship. This event, along with the 'Bulgarian edict' controversy in 2002, contributed to his absence from television. He has been involved in a 16-year legal battle related to his departure from RAI and received €1,200,000 in compensation in 2012. Since 2009, he has maintained a satire gym on his blog, and he persists in touring Italy with theatrical performances and book publications, encompassing works like 101 cose da evitare a un funerale (1993), Locuste (1994), Adenoidi (1995), and Va' dove ti porta il clito. He has also released an English-sung album called Money for Dope (2005), described as having jazz/swing influences.

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United States

Danielle Pinnock

Danielle Pinnock, an American actress, writer and comedian, received both an Astra Television Award and an NAACP Image Award for her work as a series regular on CBS’s Ghosts (2021–present), where she embodies Alberta, a jazz singer from the 1920s Prohibition era.

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United States

Danny DeVito

Born Daniel Michael DeVito Jr., the American talent wears many hats—actor, stand‑up comic and filmmaker. His petite frame, raspy vocal timbre, unmistakable accent and lively comic style made him a household name when he embodied taxi dispatcher Louie De Palma on the series Taxi from 1978 through 1983, a performance that brought home a Golden Globe and an Emmy. Starting in 2006, he took on the role of Frank Reynolds in the FX/FXX comedy It's Always Sunny in Philadelphia.

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Italy

Dario Vergassola

Dario Vergassola is an Italian entertainer with a diverse career spanning comedy, acting, writing, singing, and broadcasting. Born in La Spezia in 1957, he began his professional life as a factory worker before transitioning to the entertainment world. He first gained recognition in 1988 when he participated in 'Professione Comico,' securing both the audience and critic awards. Following this success, he appeared on 'Star 90' in 1989 and worked as a correspondent for 'Il TG delle vacanze' in 1991. Vergassola’s comedic style has been showcased across numerous Italian television programs. Throughout his career, Massimo Vergassola has been a regular comedic presence on television programs such as 'Maurizio Costanzo Show,' 'Zelig,' 'Mai dire Gol,' and 'Quelli che il calcio.' Furthermore, he served as either the host or a co-host for multiple shows, notably 'Bulldozer,' 'Kilimangiaro,' 'Sei in un Paese meraviglioso,' and he spearheaded two iterations of the 'Concerto del Primo Maggio' in both 2014 and 2015. Vergassola’s work as an actor encompasses repeated appearances as Erminio in 'Dio vede e provvede' and as Pippo Santi in 'Carabinieri.' His musical output features studio albums, namely 'Manovale gentiluomo' (1992) and 'Lunga vita ai pelandroni' (1999), and the single “Mario (Marta),” which secured victory at the Festival di Sanscemo in 1992. Beyond television and music, Vergassola has established himself as an author. He has published several books with prominent Italian publishers like Mondadori, Feltrinelli, and Baldini & Castoldi, including a book titled 'Lunga vita ai pelandroni' in 2000 and his first novel, 'La ballata delle acciughe,' in 2014. His collaborations include co-authoring and starring in the show 'Tenera è la notte' in 1996 and touring with 'Bimbi belli' alongside Stefano Nosei starting in 1993. In 2013, he created a YouTube video supporting LGBTQ+ adolescents. Currently, he is scheduled to return to 'Zelig' in 2026 for its 30th anniversary, continuing his long and varied career in Italian entertainment.

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France

Darry Cowl

Darry Cowl, born André Pierre Darricau on August 27, 1925, in Vittel, Vosges, France, was a French comedian, actor, and musician. He died on February 14, 2006, in Neuilly-sur-Seine, Hauts-de-Seine, at the age of 80, due to complications from lung cancer. Initially, he intended to pursue a career as a musician, composer, and author, studying piano and classical music at the Conservatoire de Paris, though he was ultimately rejected. He began his comedy career as a pianist-accompanist in cabarets, adopting the pseudonym ‘Darry Cowl’ which he described as being 'à l'américaine'. Cowl gained prominence after being cast in Assassins et voleurs (1956) by Sacha Guitry. He frequently appeared in films directed by Sacha Guitry, including Les trois font la paire in 1957. His early sketches on stage and television gained him recognition in the early 1950s. He created a character of a goofy, bewildered person with a speech impediment and a tendency for his hair to fall over his mouth, incorporating this stuttering into his comedic persona; he discussed its causes and consequences on the show Aujourd'hui la vie in 1984. His first leading role was in Le Triporteur (1957), which attracted nearly five million viewers. He starred in approximately five films per year for three decades, appearing in titles such as Naughty Girl (1956), Paris Palace Hotel (1956), Three Make A Pair (1957), The Magnificent Tramp (1962), and many others. Throughout his career, Darry Cowl appeared in a wide range of films, including Don't Touch the White Woman! (1974) as Major Archibald, Arrete ton Char Bidasse (1978), and Une Nuit a l'assemblee nationale (1988). He frequently collaborated with Francis Blanche (22 times) and Michel Galabru (20 times).

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Ireland

Dave Allen

Dave Allen, born David Tynan O'Mahony on July 6, 1936, in Dublin, Ireland, was a comedian whose career spanned several decades. His father, Cullen 'Pussy' O'Mahony, held a position as the managing editor of The Irish Times, while his mother, Jean Archer, was a housewife. A significant event early in Allen’s life involved spending approximately 18 months in Keenagh, County Longford, due to bombings in Dublin; he attended several schools including Newbridge College, Terenure College, and the Catholic University School. The loss of his father at age 12 shaped his childhood. Following education, Allen began working as a copy boy for the Drogheda Argus before relocating to Fleet Street. Allen's path to comedy involved a period of performing in various entertainment venues. He initially gained experience as a Butlins Redcoat at Skegness and subsequently performed in nightclubs and working men’s clubs. His agent suggested he change his stage surname from O'Mahony to Allen. A distinctive element of his act was the humorous explanation surrounding the loss of the top of his left index finger. He began appearing on television in the UK during the late 1960s, and gained prominence through The Dave Allen Show , which aired on the BBC from 1971 to 1986 and was distributed across Europe. He also toured South Africa with Sophie Tucker in 1962 and collaborated with Digby Wolfe on Australian television. His shows were broadcast in numerous countries including the US, Canada, Denmark, Sweden, Norway, Netherlands, Belgium, Yugoslavia, Australia, and New Zealand. Allen’s comedy style was characterized by storytelling and anecdotes, often focusing on the absurdity of life. He explored a wide range of subjects, from everyday occurrences and statistics to more serious themes such as mortality. The extensive travel he undertook broadened the scope of his material. A notable performance was his two-month season at London's Albery Theatre, which featured a minimalist stage setup consisting of a white carpet and a black stool and lasted for two and a half hours. He gave up smoking five years prior to an interview conducted when he was 50 years old. Allen retired from performing in 1998 and lived in Kensington, London, surrounded by a substantial collection of books including works by authors such as Dickens, Thurber, Trotsky, Hemingway, Joyce, Wilde, and Shaw. He was married to actress Judith Scott for 19 years before their divorce; his brother’s suicide occurred in 2005.

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Canada

Dave Foley

A Canadian actor, stand-up comedian, director, producer, and writer, Dave Foley was born in Etobicoke, Ontario, on January 4, 1963. His parents are Mary and Michael, a steamfitter. He identifies as Canadian by nationality and ethnicity. Foley’s full name is David Scott Foley. To pursue a career in stand-up comedy, Foley left high school. He attended the Toronto Second City Training Centre and took improv classes, where he met Kevin McDonald. The Kids in the Hall were formed in 1984 by Foley and others. This comedy sketch group became a significant part of his career, appearing in the series from 1988 onwards, and related projects. Heavyfoot, Jocelyn, and Lex. He directed episodes of the TV series as well. The series ran from 1988 to 1995. Beyond The Kids in the Hall, Foley has had a diverse career. He starred as Dave Nelson in the sitcom NewsRadio from 1995 to 1999, appearing in 97 episodes. He also voiced Flik in A Bug's Life (1998), Toy Story 2 (1999), and Tom Sawyer (2000). His film credits include Blast from the Past (1999), Brain Candy (1996), South Park: Bigger Longer and Uncut (1999), Kids in the Hall: Brain Candy (1996), Employee of the Month (2004), Sky High (2005), Vampires Suck (2010), and The Wrong Guy (1997), which he co-wrote. He has appeared in numerous TV series, including Will & Grace, Scrubs, How to Be a Gentleman, The Middle, Hot in Cleveland, The New Adventures of Old Christine, and Robson Arms. More recently, he portrayed Danish Graves in Fargo (2023) and plays Gary O’Brien in Young Sheldon. He also participated in Last One Laughing - Canada in 2022, and will appear in the fifth season of Fargo. In January 2013, Foley’s stand-up special, Relatively Well, was released.

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Canada

Dave Thomas

David William Thomas, known professionally as Dave Thomas, is a Canadian actor, screenwriter, producer, comedian, and director. He was born on May 20, 1949, in St. Catharines, Ontario. His parents, Moreen Duff Muir from Glasgow, Scotland, and John E. Thomas from Merthyr Tydfil, Wales, were British immigrants. His father, a medical ethicist, headed the Philosophy Department at McMaster University; the family briefly resided in Durham, North Carolina while his father studied at Duke University. Dave Thomas has a younger brother, Ian Thomas, who is a singer-songwriter. Thomas’s career began after graduating with honors from McMaster University with a Bachelor of Arts degree in English literature. Initially working as a copywriter at McCann Erickson in 1974, he quickly advanced to head writer for Coca-Cola's Canadian account within a year. He then joined the Second City troupe following an audition, participating in the Toronto production of Godspell alongside future comedy stars. From 1976 to 1981, he played multiple roles, including Doug McKenzie, Angus Crock, and Lee Iacocca, on Second City Television ( SCTV ). He also appeared in The Rimshots (1976) and Home to Stay (1978), as well as various roles in the TV series Bizarre (1980). Thomas achieved widespread recognition through his portrayal of Doug McKenzie on SCTV , often alongside Rick Moranis. He won a Primetime Emmy Award for his work on the show. As Bob and Doug McKenzie, they released two albums, The Great White North and Strange Brew , and starred in the film The Adventures of Bob & Doug McKenzie: Strange Brew (1983), which Thomas also directed. His film credits extend to titles like My Man Adam (1985), Coneheads (1993), Rat Race (2001), and Beethoven’s 5th (2003). He also co-wrote Spies Like Us (1985) with Dan Aykroyd. Thomas has voiced characters in films such as Sesame Street Presents: Follow that Bird (1985) and Brother Bear (2003) and Brother Bear 2 (2006), and played roles in MVP: Most Valuable Primate (2000). He directed Les Experts (1989) and The Stranger She Brought Home (2021). Beyond acting and directing, Thomas has worked extensively behind the scenes. He wrote the book SCTV: Behind the Scenes , published in 1996, and produced 144 episodes of Family Challenge for the Family Channel. He also appeared as Russell Norton on the television series Grace Under Fire from 1993 to 1998. Throughout his career, Dave Thomas has demonstrated versatility across various comedic platforms, leaving a significant mark on Canadian entertainment.

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Spain

David Fernández Ortiz

David Fernández Ortiz, born in Igualada, Barcelona on June 24, 1970, is a Spanish actor, voice actor, and humorist. He is recognized primarily for his comedic character, Rodolfo Chikilicuatre. Fernández’s background includes studies in industrial jewelry and involvement with the theatrical company La Cubana starting in 1998, which led to appearances in the TV series 'Me lo dijo Pérez'. His early collaborations began in 2002 with the Catalan production company El Terrat, further establishing his presence in the Spanish entertainment landscape. Fernández’s career gained significant momentum through his work with Andreu Buenafuente. He initially appeared on the show 'Una altra cosa' (2002-2004), where he developed characters like El Gilipollas and El Extremeño que quería ser Vasco, followed by continued collaboration on 'Buenafuente' (Antena 3 and La Sexta). It was on Buenafuente that he first introduced Rodolfo Chikilicuatre as an improvisational act. In January 2008, Fernández presented Ricardo Rosanti, claiming to have invented a vibrator-guitar, before returning as Chikilicuatre to perform 'Baila el Chiki-chiki' on February 5, 2008. The song 'Baila el Chiki-chiki', written by Santiago Segura and composed by Pedro Guerra, became a defining moment in Fernández’s career. It parodies reggaeton music with jokes and political references, and was entered into the Spanish selection process for the Eurovision Song Contest 2008. Despite some considering its selection a gimmick, Rodolfo Chikilicuatre won the selection with 56.28% of the votes. Fernández modified the lyrics in March 2008 to comply with Eurovision rules, removing political references and increasing the song's length. He performed 'Baila el Chiki-chiki' at the Eurovision Song Contest 2008 on May 24, 2008, achieving Spain’s best placement since 2004. Since then, Fernández has continued to work in various media, appearing in shows like 'Gala Inocente, Inocente', 'Pelotas', 'Crackovia', and 'Me resbala', demonstrating his versatility as a comedian.

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United Kingdom

David Frost

David Frost, born David Paradine Frost on April 7, 1939, in Tenterden, Kent, was an English television host, journalist, comedian, writer, and media personality. He attended Gonville and Caius College, Cambridge, graduating with a Third in English in 1958, where he also served as editor of Varsity and Granta , and secretary of the Footlights Drama Society. Initially studying for the cloth, he briefly trained as a Methodist local preacher, influenced by his father, who was a Methodist minister of Huguenot descent. During his school years, he participated in football and cricket, even receiving a contract offer from Nottingham Forest F.C. Frost’s career gained prominence in 1962 when he hosted the satirical show That Was the Week That Was (TW3) on the BBC. He continued to host television programs such as The Frost Report (1966) and The Frost Programme (1966-1968). He also performed stand-up comedy at venues like Quaglinos and The Blue Angel in London during the 1960s. Throughout his career, he interviewed numerous prominent figures, including all eight British prime ministers from 1964 to 2013 and all seven U.S. presidents from 1969 to 2008. A particularly notable interview was with Richard Nixon in 1977; this resulted in a stage play and film adaptation, Frost/Nixon . In 1983, Frost participated in the establishment of the ITV station TV-am; subsequently, he presented Breakfast with Frost on the BBC between 1993 and 2005, and hosted Through the Keyhole for a period of twenty years. From 2006 to 2012, he hosted Frost Over the World on Al Jazeera English, and The Frost Interview in 2012. He was recognized with the BAFTA Fellowship in 2005 and a Lifetime Achievement Award at the Emmy Awards in 2009. The phrases “Hello, good evening and welcome” and “Seriously, though, he's doing a grand job!” were hallmarks of his career; David Frost passed away on August 31, 2013, at the age of 74 while traveling on the MS Queen Elizabeth. During March 2014, a memorial stone honoring him was revealed in Poets' Corner at Westminster Abbey; following his death, British Prime Minister David Cameron delivered a tribute expressing his esteem.

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Sweden

David Hellenius

On 28 February 1974 Nils David Hellenius was born in Viksjö, located in Järfälla in Stockholm County. He is a Swedish comedian, actor and TV show leader.

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United States

David Lander

An American actor, comedian, musician, and baseball scout, David Lander, who was born David Leonard Landau, arrived in Brooklyn, New York on June 22, 1947. His parents were Jewish schoolteachers, Stella (Goldman) and Saul Landau. He legally adopted the stage name David Lander in high school, eventually known professionally as David (L.) Lander. Showing an interest in performing arts from his youth, Lander made the decision to become an actor at age 10. Lander’s schooling encompassed Carnegie Tech/Carnegie Mellon University, New York University, as well as the High School for the Performing Arts. Lander’s career involved diverse roles and collaborations. He partnered with Michael McKean, developing the characters of Lenny and Squiggy during acting classes at Carnegie Mellon University. Together, they were part of the comedy ensemble The Credibility Gap, which included Harry Shearer. He is best known for portraying Andrew 'Squiggy' Squiggman in the sitcom Laverne & Shirley from 1976 to 1982, appearing in 156 episodes. In 1979, Lander and McKean collaborated on an album as Lenny and the Squigtones, with Christopher Guest providing contributions under the name Nigel Tufnel. His film credits included roles in 1941 (1979), where he starred as Joe, and Used Cars (1980) as Freddie Paris, among others. Beyond acting, Lander demonstrated a passion for baseball, serving as a talent scout for the Anaheim Angels in 1997 and later the Seattle Mariners. Additionally, David Lander held membership in the Society for American Baseball Research. He voiced characters in animated series like Oswald (2001-2003) and Tom & Jerry Kids (1991-1993), and provided the voice of Milo de Venus in Galaxy High School (1986). He wrote an autobiography, Fall Down Laughing: How Squiggy Caught Multiple Sclerosis and Didn't Tell Nobody , published in 2002. Diagnosed with multiple sclerosis in 1984, he revealed his diagnosis publicly in 1999. David Lander died on December 4, 2020, at Cedars-Sinai Medical Center, at the age of 73.

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