Actor/comedian Gary Owen is the only white comic to host BETs Comicview, a fact that puzzles some people. Youd be amazed at the questions I get, he says. Youre just light-skinned. You got some Cherokee in you?
Owen began his stand-up career while he was in the Navy. Only predominantly African-American rooms would give him time, which led to his being voted Funniest Black Man in San Diego. People assume you go on BET, you must have been raised around a lot of black people. Nope. I was born and raised in a trailer park, he declares cheerfully. Even back then he knew he wanted to do stand-up. Its not like I ever wanted to be an athlete, he says. I just wanted to make people laugh. Thats what hell do at the Miami Improv, tonight through Monday, December 31.
Dec. 27-31, 2007