Kathleen Madigan Biography

Fast Facts

• Has participated in Ron White's "Comedy Salute to the Troops" three times
• Won the American Comedy Award and the Phyllis Diller Award for Best Female Comedian
• Has done two USO tours to Iraq and Afghanistan with fellow comedians Robin Williams, Lewis Black, and John Bowman
• Graduated from Southern Illinois University Edwardsville with a degree in Journalism in 1988
• Started out as a journalist with Suburban Journals and worked in the publications department at the Missouri Athletic Club, while also attending open mic nights at St․ Louis comedy clubs
• Quote: "Can't you ever have a goal, reach it and then enjoy it? This society is being driven by type A lunatics that say 'you have to set more goals․' No you don't․ Have a seat and enjoy the fact that you're here!"
• Quote: "I just want to tell jokes․ I didn't start doing open mics to become an actor on a sitcom or in a TV commercial․ Those things never even crossed my mind․ I just like to tell jokes for an hour or so and laugh․"
• Best known as a stand-up comedian whose specials include "In Other Words," "Gone Madigan," and "Kathleen Madigan: Madigan Again․"
• Has twice participated in "Last Comic Standing," first as a contestant in season 2, where she was a top-three finalist, and second as a judge in season 5
• Often turns down comedy writing jobs because she prefers doing stand-up, but made an exception for Lewis Black's "Root of All Evil․"