Interview with actor/comedian Chuck Burks

Chuck Burks is a hilarious and smart NYC-area actor /comedian appearing here at The Laff House this weekend for five shows April 2 and 3rd as the feature act before headliner Thea Vidale. He has appeared in many national commercials, TV shows and even made a brief but memorable appearance in rapper 50 Cent's popular movie "Get Rich Or Die Tryin'." Let’s go on a mission to find out more about him.

Q: You were featured on an incredible episode of the TLC reality show "Guess Who's
Coming Over?" The plot centered on you moving in with a classic "redneck"-type family
from Georgia, and then the Dad of that clan (no pun attended) came to visit and stay with you and your family in NYC. Watching that episode at times made me crack up, and other times it was very touching and serious as more sensitive areas of racism were covered. How did you get involved with that show and what are your memories of doing it?

A: It was an audition and I was chosen for my points of view on comedy. A lot of my
comedy deals with being the only Black person around a lot of white people and how I
survived going to Prep School while living in the inner city.

Q; Seeing your beautiful family (wife and two kids) on the TLC show made me think
about how you discuss in your comedy act that your son is "special needs." How is he doing and how does it help you connect with the audience to discuss personal aspects of your life on stage?

A: My son was diagnosed with Autism, mainly speech delay, but I think my wife and I have the "special needs." We especially need a break! I talk about my experiences with raising my son as a way to bring awareness to Autism and sympathize with other people who deal with it on a daily basis. Also to warn people who are having children on ways to prevent having to deal with this epidemic as it effects 1 in 100 children.

Q: Tell us about your recent new project "Hope." Is that a TV show or movie, and
where and how can we catch it?

A: "Hope" is a short film I shot at the inauguration of Obama. I play a dad to a son who refuses to talk after his mother's death and runs away from New York to DC without ever talking to anyone and only $35. The trailer can be seen at http://www.hope-themovie.com/ . It's for sale and is currently making film festival runs.

Q: How do you feel about the Laff House and coming to perform in Philly? What are
your opinions of our city, good and/or bad?

A: I love the Laff House. It was the first comedy club to let me feature with my big brother in comedy Alonzo "Hamburger" Jones. It's black-owned and they nurture the local talent in a way that no other club does. The city is old, and the people that come out love to laugh, but somebody has to do something about those 6th graders out on South Street at midnight. Philly need better parents. You shouldn't be 12-years old with piercings and stretch marks pushing a baby carriage out at 2 in the morning eating a slice of pizza on Tuesday!

Q: There are some great credits on your acting resume. Which do you prefer, acting or
doing stand-up? Or do you feel both are cool and there really is no preference?

A: I am an actor first but stand up has made me a better actor. I have become more
spontaneous and brave to push the limit in my acting. My biggest challenge has been trying to incorporate more of my acting in stand up. I also write and that has helped me to be creative in both areas. I wrote for the "Chappelle" show, the sketch called "Blackzilla" in the first season. I only got that because I had a comedy manager who knew Dave and other people at Comedy Central.

Q: Tell us about your brief but brilliant involvement with the 50 Cent movie "Get Rich Or Die Tryin'." You've also tied it in cleverly to your stand-up routine, both as a funny bit and as a way for the audience to give you props.

A: I am proud of my involvement in that film. I just wish more people had seen it and not bootlegged it. 50's album went platinum, but the movie went plastic. I don't like using my credits to get props but the material I developed about my experience was classic. Here I was, a new up-and-coming actor/writer/comedian, standing next to a multi-platinum gun shot surviving millionaire. And people ask me, what did we talk about? We have nothing in common! He was very cool and professional, and it was his first movie. He admitted that he respects the craft.

Q: That's too cool that you were also on an episode of "The Sopranos." How did that
come about and what was the experience like working on such an esteemed program?

A: I credit all my accomplishments to God and putting me in the right place at the right time. My manager got me the audition and I booked it. By far it was the best on-set experience I ever had. It felt like family, from the actors to the people who served food. Absolutely NO EGOS, which was very respectable.

Q: You've also appeared in numerous national TV commercials. Is it true that actors
make more money from these spots than from regular acting roles?

A: It used to be you could earn a good living doing commercials, but now they don't run as long unless you get a good one or you're the Verizon guy.

Q: What new projects in acting and or stand-up do you have going on now?

A: I just directed an episode of a comedy web series called "On The Stoop" featured on Youtube. I directed episode #7. I also wrote my own sitcom pilot called "So Help Us God Amen." I want to finish my one man show which incorporates my acting and stand up. It's about raising awareness to Autism it will be called "OXIDATIVE STRESS!" I expect it to be done in 2010.

Q: How do handle the various and sundry negatives that occur in the quest for show
business success? What are some adversities or disses you faced from doing auditions,
talent nights or even general haters?

A. I am like everybody else-- I'm human, and I forget sometimes that it is a business. So I tend to take things personally when things don't go my way. However I remember to focus on the craft of stand up and just try and be better than I was the last time I touched the mic. I also know that God will open that door when He feels I am ready. Until then I keep knockin'!

-End-

For more info on Chuck Burks check him out at www.myspace.com/chuckburks and www.facebook.com/thechuckburks

Interview by Danny Ozark (DJ at The Laff House and a comedian who co-hosts "Laff Away Thursdays" with Damon D every week here at the club). For more info check him out at www.myspace.com/dannyozark and www.facebook.com/dannyozark