Kevin Burke became the unofficial comedian of NASCAR when he took the podium as Roastmaster for the NASCAR driver’s roast of Jimmie Johnson. But it wasn’t always showgirls and $1.99 shrimp cocktails. Kevin paid his dues the old-school way; by playing everywhere from Calgary to Key West. No theater was too big, and no saloon one-nighter was too small as Kevin learned the nuts and bolts of making people laugh. Kevin even honed his craft working as a Busker, the traditional name for a street-performer. “Street performing is amazing, and difficult” says Kevin. “The audience pays you AFTER the show, depending on what they think it’s worth.” The payoff for all the hard work, and launch of Kevin’s career, came when ABC named Kevin the $10,000 Grand Prize Winner on America’s Funniest People.
Kevin Burke, Las Vegas Entertainer of the Year, has been starring in Defending the Caveman since 2003. As the star of the Vegas production, Kevin performed Caveman over 3,000 times, making Caveman the longest-running Broadway show in Las Vegas history. During that time, Kevin also set the Guinness World Record for “Most Theatrical Performances in 50 Days.”
ACADEMY AWARDS..In 2011 and 2012, Kevin was asked to serve as the Celebrity Host for OSCAR Night: Las Vegas, the star-studded, official OSCAR party of Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences. His favorite moment came when he taught Academy Award Winner Shirley Jones how to fist-bump. “She had never done it before. She thought I was going to hit her. I can’t believe Mrs. Partridge thought I was going to slug her.”
NASCAR…In 2009, Kevin became the unofficial comedian of NASCAR when he took the podium as Roastmaster for the NASCAR driver’s roast of Chase Cup winner Jimmie Johnson. “Bust-a-gut humor,” wrote Terry Blount of ESPN, “If only the awards could be this good!” Since then, Kevin has served as the host of “NASCAR Family Feud,” and, “Are You Smarter Than a NASCAR Driver?” (Regarding the latter, Kevin will never admit to showing fellow Indiana native, and NASCAR legend, Tony Stewart the questions in advance, thus guaranteeing Tony’s win.)
POVERTY…But it wasn’t always showgirls and $1.99 shrimp cocktails. Kevin paid his dues the old-school way; by criss-crossing North America, playing everywhere from Calgary, Alberta, to Key West, Florida. No theater was too big, and no saloon one-nighter was too small as Kevin learned the nuts and bolts of making people laugh. Performing arts centers, comedy clubs, and bar gigs provided the kind of comedic graduate school one can only get through experience…and a lots of miles. Kevin even honed his craft working as a Busker, the traditional name for a street-performer. “Street performing is amazing, and difficult” says Kevin. “The audience pays you AFTER the show, depending on what they think it’s worth.” The payoff for all the hard work, and launch of Kevin’s career, came when ABC-TV named Kevin the $10,000 Grand Prize Winner on America’s Funniest People.
ANCIENT HISTORY…Before THAT, Kevin worked as an improvisational actor in Chicago, and was a founding cast member of the legendary Improv Olympics. He also spent a year as a circus clown with Ringling Bros. and Barnum & Bailey Circus. (No, he can’t make a balloon animal.) Kevin has appeared on Oprah, NPR’s Talk of the Nation, CBS Morning News, Bob & Tom Radio Network, and The Dr. Laura Berman Show on SiriusXM.
