Ron Funches on his career, gaming, and returning to Just For Laughs Toronto

Ron Funches has the most infectious laugh, and he’s one of the warmest comedians that I’ve ever interviewed. Even at his most serious, he seems a bit mischievous, with a joie de vivre that’s always makes me smile.

And it’s not just his standup; he’s always a highlight as an actor. From New Girl, The Goldbergs, and Blackish, to Get Hard, 80 For Brady, and DreamWorks’ Trolls.

Funches has four shows at Just For Laughs Toronto on September 21 and 22, and I sat down with him to talk about his career, his dreams, the WGA and SAG-AFTRA strike, and even his favourite video games.

And his career started from the shows he loved on television. “I just fell in love with comedy,” he said.

“I’d be watching Benny Hill and Green Acres and I Love Lucy and The Beverly Hillbillies and Sanford and Son; just all these old comedies…”

Today, 17 years from when he started, he credits a few comedians for inspiring, like Mitch Hedberg, Dave Chappelle, and Tig Notaro, but he has a lot of other influences.

“I get inspired by all types of people, for sure; comedians and pro wrestlers and musicians. I get a lot of inspiration from… my family, my son, and my mom are some of my biggest inspirations when it comes to my comedy.”

“But as I’ve gotten more experience and confidence in myself, I really just tried to focus on what I enjoy and what makes me happy and get a lot of inspiration outside of comedy. So I get more inspired now from like a rapper like Larry June or a pro wrestler like MJF, than I do from comedy in general.”

“But that’s not to say that I don’t. I love people like Moses Storm; he’s very inspiring to me right now… and Dan Soder. I mean, I could go all day.”

Watch the full interview with Ron Funches above for much more, or watch the video on YouTube. Visit his website for tour dates, and follow him on Instagram.