I’VE ALWAYS MADE A JOKE about how my voice is unique, and so incredibly annoying. So, the most challenging thing in my life right now is dealing with what I call my “new voice.” My left vocal cord is paralyzed, and I may not get more of my voice back.
I’ve been very self-conscious about it, because I sound a little bit like Minnie Mouse now and I have to explain it to the audience every time I do stand-up. Some people think I’m joking, but I really did get diagnosed with lung cancer in August 2021, without ever smoking, and the surgery to remove the cancer gave me pretty extensive nerve damage. But it’s funny, I’ve been getting so many people saying that they like this voice better. If that’s the attitude people have, I hit the jackpot.
What’s great about cancer is that, boy, people are nicer. And I work it like a shameless two-dollar w****. When I go to dinner, if there’s one thing I don’t like, I’ll yell, “Can I have this redone? I have cancer!” Then people ask what stage, and I have to say, “Well, technically, I’m cancer-free.” Thankfully, the cancer was all removed with surgery and my six-month and one-year scans have since been clear. But I try to have a sense of humor about everything, even that.
How Hollywood Has Changed
What I miss most, and what scares me about comedy in general, is the loss of context and nuance. I’m able to look
