Paul Rodriguez
 USA / MEXICO
Paul Rodriguez' career has spanned more than two decades and includes starring roles and featured appearances in over 30 films and countless television series and specials. As a well-rounded stand-up comedian, it’s estimated that Paul has performed live to well over one million concert goers from coast to coast building a solid fan base. Within Hispanic communities, Rodriguez is considered to be the Richard Pryor, Lenny Bruce, and George Carlin of original comedy with a Latin twist.
His first big break came while doing comedy warm-ups for Norman Lear's show "Gloria." Lear ultimately wrote and developed a weekly series for Paul, "a.k.a. Pablo." Paul holds the honor and is enshrined at the Smithsonian as the first television show about a Mexican American Family on mainstream American television. He went on to do two other series, "Trial and Error," and "Grand Slam" for CBS. For four years (1990/94) Paul hosted "El Show de Paul Rodriguez," an entertainment talk show for the Spanish-language Univision Network. The show reached an international audience throughout the United States and 17 other countries in Central and South America. Paul's directorial debut came in 1994 with the film "A Million to Juan," a family comedy in which he also wrote and starred in.
In addition, Paul also found time to guest star in several episodes of Showtime's original series "Resurrection Boulevard," and starred in six comedy specials for HBO, including "Loco Slam," "Live in San Quentin" and the most recent being "Idiots and Armadillos," which he also wrote and executive-produced. He also served as host for The Alma Awards on the ABC and the Latino Laugh Festival for Showtime, as well as his own television creations- four specials for the Fox Broadcasting Company ("Back to School," "Behind Bars").
Paul segued nicely from television to motion pictures, making his feature film debut in the Universal Pictures comedy "D.C. Cab." Paul also had co-starring roles in Orion Pictures' "Miracles," Paramount's "The Whoopee Boys," Columbia Pictures "Quicksilver," and Universal's "Born in East L.A.", as well as "Made in America." He landed the coveted role of outspoken fight physician Freddie Pacheco in Columbia Pictures big budget biopic "Ali" for director Michael Mann and Producer John Peters. Other movie roles that followed are New Line Cinema's "The Price of Glory," starring Jimmy Smitts, Metro-Goldwyn's "Tortilla Soup," with Hector Elizondo; “Crocodile Dundee in LA" with Paul Hogan; "The Shipment" with Mathew Modine, Jerry Zucker's "Rat Race,” and “Chasing Papi” directed by Linda Mendoza
Recently he had the opportunity to work with the legendary Clint Eastwood in the Warner Brothers film “Bloodwork”. Paul was the executive producer and star of the comedy concert film, “The Original Latin Kings of Comedy,” distributed by Paramount Pictures. His latest film projects include, “A Cinderella Story” starring Hilary Duff, “Badasss” directed by Mario Van Peebles, “Cloud Nine” starring Burt Reynolds and still in theaters, “The World’s Fastest Indian” starring Sir Anthony Hopkins and directed by Roger Donaldson.
 Frank Spadone
 CANADA / ITALY
Frank Spadone, a first- generation Canadian comic pokes fun of his life pulling from his own experiences growing up with his Italian/Catholic born parents, being the last of four children, the only son, a husband and to his latest endeavor, a father. In 2007, Frank created, produced and starred in “The Ethnic Heroes of Comedy” Canadian tour that was promoted by ‘Just For Laughs’.
In addition, Frank performed at Toronto’s first ever “Just For Laughs Festival” in July 2007, making it his 6th consecutive year participating in the festival. His “Just For Laughs” Gala performance and “CBC Comedy Festival” performance in Winnipeg have both been televised nationally on CBC and The Comedy Network.
Frank’s performed his one man show “Frank Spadone-The Best for Now” to sold out crowds in select cities in Canada and the US.. His movie credits include “Harold and Kumar go to White Castles”, “Four Brothers” with Mark Wahlberg, “Take the Lead” with Antonio Banderas, and “The Man” starring Eugene Levy and Samuel L. Jackson.
 Trevor Noah
 SA
Trevor Noah only recently started performing as a professional comedian and within 2 years in the game is already recognized as one of the most talented comedians in South African comedy. Such has been his impact on the local comedy scene that demand for Trevor has grown so much that he had to leave his position as a radio DJ on popular radio station YFM and even put his acting career on hold to fully pursue his first love, comedy!
He has performed in numerous shows all over the country, such as the Vodacom Campus Tour, the 94.7 Heavyweight Comedy Jam, Arts Alive, the Blacks Only Comedy Show etc; Trevor has become accustomed to sharing the stage with South African comedy heavyweights at such an early stage in his career. Trevor officially announced his arrival when he was chosen as the opening act of worldwide famous comedian, Russell Peter's South African tour. He was also recently selected as the opening act for the world famous iconic crooner, Julio Iglesias on his South African Tour earlier this year. However it is when he performs on his own that Trevor truly shines. He has quickly amassed large following, entertaining corporate and public audiences across the country with his unique fresh brand of comedy. Plans are underway to put together his much anticipated one man show later this year. He is also the host of the country's celebrity gossip talk show called the Real Goboza, which airs on SABC 1. 2008 also saw Trevor participate as one of the celebrity personalities in the South African version of the popular reality dance competition, Strictly Come Dancing Trevor's acting abilities added to his charm and good looks have made him a favourite for television roles. He has made appearances on 2 of the country's top soapies and with a co-starring lead in a sketch comedy show in the pipeline for 2008, Trevor Noah is definitely on his way to the top.
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Paul Zerdin
 UK
At 33, Paul Zerdin has 16 years experience as a performer, which was evident when he stole the show in his third Royal Variety Performance at the Hammersmith Apollo at Christmas 2002 in the presence of HRH the Prince of Wales.
Since his first Royal performance in 1997 Paul has appeared regularly on shows such as ITV`s Tonight at the London Palladium with Bruce Forsyth, The Big Stage, The Freddie Starr Show, LWT`s top rated Christmas shows Shirley Bassey`s 60th Birthday Special, Richard Digance Christmas Special, BBC1`s Generation Game, ITV’s A Royal Gala, Carlton TV’s Stand Up at Jongleurs, BBC TV’s The Stand Up Show, ‘Late Night With Jerry Springer’ Open House with Gloria Hunniford, Today with Des and Mel (2005 & 2006), ‘The World Stands Up’ and ‘Undercover Magic’ for Sky TV.
He was the first outright winner - by over 100,000 votes -of the Big Big Talent Show hosted by Jonathan Ross on LWT. He made his TV debut as a magician on BBC`s Tricky Business. However, within 6 months he appeared as a ventriloquist on Hanger 17 and shortly after that landed a two year contract presenting the Disney produced kids programme Rise and Shine for GMTV.
Live shows include The Paul Zerdin Show to sell-out audiences in Blackpool during the summers of 97 & 98, which were followed by new shows in 2004 at The Horseshore and 2005 at the Paradise Room. Other live shows include the highly successful “Paul Zerdin – No Kids” at The Edinburgh Comedy Festival. He has worked on many TV commercials including Kelloggs, Persil and Honda and was a puppeteer in the Jim Henson film Muppet Treasure Island, he was also the ventriloquial adviser to Anthony Sher in the BBC Film Genghis Cohn.
Being such a versatile performer he is also in great demand all over the world with frequent performances on P&O, Princess Cruises, Royal Caribbean and Holland America cruise lines. Paul has also been support to some of the biggest names in the business and has opened for artistes such as Norman Wisdom, Ronnie Corbett, Smith and Jones, Roy Hudd, Joe Pasquale and David Essex. He has also toured and performed in Hong Kong, Vietnam, Singapore, Bangkok, Tokyo, Dubai and has made several trips to entertain troops in Iraq.
 Carl
Barron
 AUS
Australian Carl Barron’s non-threatening observational style of comedy appeals to everyone, touching the hearts of thousands with his gentle, awkward, self-conscious, relaxed and original approach to comedy.
Since winning Comic of the year and Best Up and Coming Talent in 1993, Carl has established himself as one of the most accomplished comedy performers in Australia and around the world treading the boards throughout New York, L.A, London, Auckland, Ireland, Singapore and Edinburgh. Carl started his TV career in 1997 and now has over 50 TV spots behind him both in Australia and abroad. Few Australians have managed to receive the kudos Carl has for comedy.
Sugar Sammy
CANADA / INDIA
As one of the hottest, emerging young comedians on the international circuit, Sugar Sammy has recently enjoyed considerable success around the world. He has set attendance records and received rave reviews in comedy clubs, colleges, and theatres across North America, Europe, South Africa, and Asia. Critics are unanimous in their praise of his hilarious material and his laconic delivery.
In his hometown of Montreal, Sugar Sammy has been voted the number one stand-up for the last three years by the readers of The Montreal Mirror, Montreal's Premier Arts, and Entertainment Weekly.
Sugar Sammy's TV credits include Comedy Now on CTV, and he has also appeared on The Comedy Network and on Dutch TV, where he won audiences over. He performed numerous times at Just For Laughs, the Montreal International Comedy Festival, and has appeared at the Cape Town Comedy Festival in South Africa.
A relentless provocateur, Sugar Sammy stirs up and samples the multi-cultural melting pot that mirrors life in most urban centres today. In doing so, he presents hilarious scenarios and comments on our global society's inherent contradictions in a brilliantly entertaining way, ranging from arranged marriages in his Indian ancestry, to his views on deviant sex, drugs and, modern day relationships. Sugar Sammy will have you laughing, thinking, and seeing life in a whole new way!
In the past year, this rising star has toured in the US, Canada, England, Ireland, Holland, Hong Kong, Thailand, Dubai, The Philippines, and South Africa, where his one man show sold an incredible 10,000 tickets! A personal highlight for Sugar Sammy was opening for Dave Chappelle in Toronto last fall.
Daliso Chaponda
 MALAWI
Daliso Chaponda was born in 1979. He is very proud of this achievement. He has three older brothers and he often boasts to young women that he is the shame of his family. Daliso’s earliest aspiration was to become a reverend but alas, he enjoys sinning too much. Stand-up comedy is the closest he has come to his initial dream of the pulpit.
Daliso began his comedy career in Canada with the acclaimed one man show ‘Feed This Black Man’. Subsequent appearances across Canada followed (highlights include The Just For Laughs Festival 2005 & CBC Television’s ‘Crossing The Main’).
In 2004 Daliso Chaponda headlined the ‘Don’t Let Them Deport Me’ Comedy Show as a plea to officials to have his Canadian visa extended. The show was sold out, well reviewed, and frenzied letters were written to bureaucrats. He was forced to leave anyway after one final show, 2005’s “They’re Deporting Him Anyway.” Recently he moved to the UK.
In addition to Stand-Up Comedy, Daliso has also published fiction in numerous magazines and anthologies. In 2002 he was a finalist in the L. Ron Hubbard Writer’s of the Future Contest and in 2006 he was short listed for the Carl Brandon Society Award. |
