Today we’d like to introduce you to Denny Glasser.
Hi Denny, we’d love for you to start by introducing yourself.
My dream for comedy and specifically SNL all started with a totally different dream. My childhood dream was to become a Major League Baseball player. I loved baseball but sadly baseball did not love me back. I was behind the 8 ball however living in Ohio and not being able to hit anything faster than a slow fastball thrown down the middle of the plate. I was cut my sophomore year in high school and one year later instead of trying out for the baseball team, I auditioned for the spring musical Little Shop of Horrors as the role of Dr. Orin Scrivello. I got the part and never looked back again as I was reminded how much I loved being on stage in front of a live audience (I had been in a couple of elementary plays as a kid) and even more so, I realized my real true passion is making others laugh. I knew immediately that my mountain peak would be SNL. I auditioned the next year for both the fall and spring performances and felt more confident in my decision to pursue a new dream and so it was. Once I graduated high school, I enjoyed that summer for a total of two weeks before accepting a job on a 690 foot long steamship that carried mostly coal and iron ore on the Great Lakes as I worked in the engine room in 115 degrees heat. I worked for four months saving up as much as possible in hopes of moving to NYC to attend acting school.
I spent that following winter realizing that if I wanted to afford living in NYC, I should have stayed on the ship longer. But I noticed the school I had truly desired to attend was right in the heart of Chicago being The Second City – the pipeline for future SNL stars. Later that year circa 2011, I packed up and my family moved me to Chicago. To help put myself through The Second City, I first worked at an ice cream and candy store but that along with my savings from the ships, would not be enough to keep me afloat in Chicago. About a year later, after moving to Chicago I was down to 2 weeks before my lease was up before I would have to move back to Ohio as I was searching for a job that could keep me in the city when an opportunity came to work as an overnight concierge at my apartment building I lived at and for the next five years I worked as an overnight concierge (11pm-7am) and by day I attended improv and sketch class and in the evening, right before I had to work again, I would perform in shows. I lived in Chicago for eight years working, performing, and studying comedy. I started performing stand up comedy as well and developed over 50 celebrity impressions.
My last year there I performed in an hour long solo show that ran for an entire month doing over 25 celebrity impressions and 20 original characters but sadly did not receive a single bit of interest from agents or comedy venues, although selling out multiple shows. I prepared for the next step but knew NYC was still too expensive. I received an opportunity to move to Los Angeles with a work transfer, now as a leasing agent, and have been here for the past two years. My goal and dream still remains to head back east for NYC but I knew the best choice was to first head out west first. Prior to the lockdown in March, I had been performing in the city as a stand up comic, studying at the Groundlings Improv Theatre and School, and being as involved as possible with all things comedy related. My story is still being written, excited to see what the next chapter has in store!
Alright, so let’s dig a little deeper into the story – has it been an easy path overall and if not, what were the challenges you’ve had to overcome?
It’s not about the destination but about the journey. If the dream had been handed to me ten years ago when I first started to go after it, I know I wouldn’t be as appreciative as I will be now. Not for the lack of gratitude but for looking back at everything I sacrificed (being away from family, my 20s, etc.) and for giving it everything I have to make my dream reality all these years. I’m glad it has not been a smooth road for if it was, I may not have turned down other roads to see where they take me. Not to mention (but I will) two butt surgeries (thanks to a pilonidal cyst) that took two years to recover from. During that time, I continued to work and perform comedy as I knew nothing would slow me down in my pursuit of my dream. Five years of not sleeping correctly as an overnight concierge is a really big sacrifice as well but one worth making given the circumstances.
Appreciate you sharing that. What else should we know about what you do?
By day I’m a resident specialist at an apartment building. When I am not in the office, I am performing stand up comedy via zoom or continuing to create short comedy sketches. I specialize in improv, sketch comedy, celebrity impressions, and stand up comedy. I am known for my corky characters and my impressions – Owen Wilson is a fan favorite. I am most proud of my hour solo comedy show although traveling to Kohler Wisconsin to impersonate Donald Trump at a 3-hour comedy roast (Spray tan, wig, suite, and all) while getting paid very well for it would be a close second! Room service never tasted so good! What sets me apart from others is my determination to make the audience laugh. Funny things I say, physical comedy, low brow, high brow humor, and most of all – the fact that I am fearless on stage.
Are there any books, apps, podcasts or blogs that help you do your best?
In regards to podcasts, I love Conan O’Brien needs a friend as he is an idol of mine as are many of his guests on the show. I typically feel very inspired after listening to his episodes. In terms of other resources that help me do my best in life is my family (I want to make them extremely proud of me) and my passion for the Pittsburgh Steelers and their mantra which is “The Standard is the Standard”. I live by this as I have a very high standard for myself and work on being the best me I can be on and off the stage.
Contact Info:
- Email: [email protected]
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/denglasser/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/denny.glasser
- Twitter: https://twitter.com/dennyglasser
- Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCafb24oEHmvHJ3DiVL-sDdA?view_as=subscriber
- Other: https://anchor.fm/denny-glasser
