Starting Stand-Up Comedy at 70 with Lynn Ruth Miller - a podcast by Jessica Sun
from 2020-11-30T11:00
This is the authentic story of how one person began a new art form at 70, fought an almost lifelong eating disorder at a time when no one knew what an eating disorder was, dealt with discrimination in her line of work, and what her message to the world is.
Lynn Ruth started doing stage comedies when she was 70 years old and has since received many accolades and recognitions. She has done numerous comedy and five-star cabaret shows, including Britain's Got Talent, and has toured all over the world. At 87 she is currently considered as the oldest performing stand up female comedian on both sides of the Atlantic. She is the author of Getting the Last Laugh: The World's Oldest Comedienne Rocks the Comedy Stage.
Quotes to remember:
“There are two ways to go when you have a childhood like that: you either succumb to it or you fight your way through.”
“I fought for every gig I got.”
“I do not feel old; I feel just like you do, I feel me.”
Takeaways:
- Quality and the craft of your work keep you going
- Go for it and use what you already have to get started
- It’s okay if others don’t think you’re funny (or insert adjective); it’s subjective; even if they are a talent manager
- There is rampant age discrimination in entertainment
- Comedy, and art, are messages to the world
- It’s okay to not know what you’re doing
- To get well, you must relinquish the perks of being ill; and there are many perks
- Consistency is often more important than quality
- When you treat your art as something someone else must approve of, you are in rocky waters
- Anyone can do something like what Lynn Ruth did
What you’ll learn:
- How Lynn Ruth pivoted to comedy coming from a background in journalism, amidst failure and being broke
- How she accidentally found herself in comedy after not knowing that it was a career
- About her surprising and unexpected start in the business
- On doing burlesque at 72 and being spotted by Amy Schumer
- How she made things work on 14,000 dollars a year
- How Lynn Ruth healed herself from decades of anorexia and bulimia, and how comedy helped her
- Her thoughts on comedians and depression and what the psychology of it is
Mentioned on the podcast:
- http://www.lynnruthmiller.net/
- Getting the Last Laugh - Lynn Ruth Miller
- SF Comedy College
- Tony Sparks - Brainwash
- Edinburgh Festival
- James Hollis
- Starving Hearts - Lynn Ruth Miller
- A Million Little Pieces - James Frey
Links:
Further episodes of Guru Please
Further podcasts by Jessica Sun
Website of Jessica Sun