Carla Rea Remembers Comedians, and Comic Friends Who Helped Her Along The Way
With the passing of Bob Saget, and now the dear Louie Anderson, I’ve been thinking back on my own comedy career.
I started doing comedy when I was a senior in high school. In college I hit the road whenever I could to get stage time, then I started actually earning a living at what has now become my career.
Along the way, there were several people who were really good to me, because they saw something in me – maybe something I didn’t even see in myself at the time. They introduced me to the right people and helped me literally get my career going. They may not think what they did was a big deal, or even think twice about it, but to me was all huge – and still is.
George Wallace – Hilariously funny, and as loose onstage as can be. As you can see from the gallery pictures, George is still a dear friend today. He got me into Catch a Rising Star. Here in Las Vegas, then Boston, New Jersey, and New York! I still work with George ANY chance I get – because he always asks me to, and I’m flattered!
Kathleen Madigan – one of the best, funniest, and original comedians out there, bar none! We started working together at The Comedy Stop at The Trop in Las Vegas. I worked with her a lot for several years – comedy clubs. corporate functions – and she’d put me up when I worked in the LA area, or we worked together. She’s still a friend, and she’s a comic I respect immensely!
Louie Anderson – saw me at Catch a Rising Star. Had me open for him a few times, then recommended me for a big corporate gig. Not long after that I worked his comedy club at Palace Station several times.
Carole Montgomery – Carole asked if I could fill in for her when she would take off a night from Crazy Girls (at the Riviera). Then I was her steady fill-in in the Fantasy Revue at The Luxor. It was a lot of fun, and revues are a lesson in doing a very EXACT amount of time!
Joan Rivers – an inspiration from the time I knew I was going to be a comedian (around 9 years old) and sneak to watch her on the Tonight Show – of course, not completely understanding her humor when I was a kid. Later, and opened for her – just once – but it was amazing to work with her, and hang out with her. She was always so encouraging to young comedians. I got to see her a couple years before she died, and told her these stories when meeting her again. I asked her if we could take a picture, but I didn’t want the traditional picture. I wanted to re-create the Janet Jackson, Rolling Stone cover – she doubled over laughing, then said come her -let’s do it! (See picture below)
There are a number of comedians out there who have helped me, and so many others along the way. A comedy career starts with being funny. If you are, people notice. And those people that noticed me, also helped me get there.
I didn’t always take pictures with the people I worked with, because I always felt they were my peers. But allow me to share some of the pictures I do have.
– Carla Rea
