Drew Carey is a comedian that inspires those individuals coming to comedy later in their lives. Not only did he get started late, he had lots of random and demeaning jobs before becoming a stand up. Some comedians who get a late start have great jobs that allow them to live off of some savings or work around performing in a happy environment. Drew Carey was not one of those lucky individuals. He was in the military, was a bank teller, and a waiter meaning he had to work his way into the business after starting later then many professional comedians and with a minimum income from his day job.
This transition into comedy was not easy due to Drew’s struggles with depression, anxiety, and suicide which he attempted before his stand up career took off (Access Hollywood interview). He went to college but was expelled because of his grades before going into the Military for six years. According to Drew self-help books and religion helped him get through the rough times in his life (from Nerdist.com interview).
1985 at the age of 27 Drew Carey begins stand up due to having it suggested to him from a disc jockey friend; at the same time he is waiting tables at a restaurant. Carey utilized a joke writing book he picked up from the library to get his first set together and made a New Years resolution for 1986 to hit the amateur comedy nights (Pittsburgh post-gazette article). By April he was a paid MC at the Cleveland Comedy Club.
At age 29 he attempted the move to LA, but returned after running out of money, but 1988 brought a great leap in his career when he appeared on Star Search and did well (watch it here). At 33 he made his first appearance on The Tonight Show with Johnny Carson. From there his career took off!
Links:
Cleveland.com Drew Carey Timeline of Life
Wikipedia on Drew Carey
