Chonda Pierce

Last updated

Chonda Pierce
Defense.gov photo essay 110611-A-WP504-211.jpg
Background information
Birth nameChonda Ruth Courtney
Born (1960-03-04) March 4, 1960 (age 63)
Covington, Kentucky
Genres Contemporary Christian
Occupation(s)Singer, comedian
Instrument(s)Piano
Years activepresent
Website chonda.org

Chonda Pierce (born March 4, 1960) is an American stand-up comedian, television hostess, author and actor.

Contents

Pierce'scomedy segments frequently appear on XM Radio's Laugh USA and Sirius Satellite Radio's Blue Collar Comedy 103.

Pierce is a member of the Christian Comedy Association, but outside the comedy, she is a spokesperson for World Vision and works with various other Christian leaders and organizations.

Early life

She was born Chonda Ruth Courtney in Covington, Kentucky, on March 4, [1] 1960, [2] while she was raised in South Carolina by her father, who was a preacher, and mother Virginia Whalen. [2] Having had a troubled childhood, Pierce, a Theater Arts major from Austin Peay State University, used entertainment as a needed catharsis, reporting "I was hooked! I loved the sound of an audience laughing. It was just the medicine I needed." [3]

Career

Early career

Pierce got her start working at Opryland Theme Park in Nashville where she performed as “Grand Ole Opry” star Minnie Pearl. [4] Pierce recalls being a terrible dancer and being told by her boss to “find a new talent.” In order to keep her job, she memorized three pages of jokes from Grinders Switch, TN and went on to impersonate Minnie Pearl for six years. While Pierce enjoyed singing and dancing, it was at this time that she truly fell in love with her craft. After deciding to pursue comedy full time, she recorded “Second Row, Piano Side,” [5] a collection drawing material from her childhood growing up as the daughter of a preacher in South Carolina. Pierce's material resonated with people from all walks of life, and she credits her southern upbringing for both her warped sense of humor and her solid roots.

Accolades

Pierce turned her gift of storytelling into a successful comedic career, selling more comedy DVD's than any other female comedian. [6] In addition to her 10 successful DVDs to date, she has also authored eight books, including the 2007 “Laughing In The Dark” (Simon & Schuster/Howard), and appears at venues big and small throughout the United States making audiences laugh with her ability to find the positivity in any situation. [7] Pierce received five Daytime Emmy Awards nominations for her work co-hosting talk show “Aspiring Women” on the Total Living Network and her first television special, “This Ain’t Prettyville!” on the CMT Network. She is ranked among Pollstar's top-selling live performers, five of her DVD's have been certified Gold by the RIAA, signifying sales of more than 50,000 units, and three have been certified Platinum, signifying sales of more than 100,000 units. [8]

Film

In October 2015, Pierce took her humor to the big screen with her first film “Chonda Pierce: Laughing in the Dark,” based on her personal struggle to overcome depression. [9] The film is a behind-the-scenes journal chronicling Pierce's downward spiral dealing with the devastating loss of her mother, an estranged daughter, and the tragedy of her husband's battle with alcoholism and subsequent death, all during a span of three years. Yet she remarkably makes her way through the adversity, heart-wrenching loss and her own depression with the gift of humor. Pierce made the film in hopes it would serve as a vehicle to inspire others who may be hitting points of darkness and depression in their own lives. “Laughing In The Dark” opened October 27, 2015, to 858 screens and sold more than 100,000 tickets. It won the “Best Documentary” award at the 2016 Park City International Film Festival. [10]

Chonda's second big screen documentary, “Chonda Pierce: Enough” chronicled Chonda's continuing story of struggle, survival and faith. It explored what it means to be “enough” in the eyes of family, loved ones, God and even ourselves. The film has been received as an uplifting and inspirational answer to the internal and emotional struggles faced by many women. [11] “Enough” opened April 25, 2017, to 1,510 screens and more than 100,000 tickets. [12]

In her third big screen documentary, “Unashamed”, Chonda interviews celebrities and friends who have taken a stand for the Gospel no matter the cost. [13] Interviews included Newsboys front man Michael Tait, Governor Mike Huckabee, American Idol finalist and Christian recording artist, Danny Gokey and television's Benham Brothers. [14] [15] The film opened May 7, 2019, on 818 screens and sold more than 80,000 tickets. [16]

In August 2019, Chonda starred in her first scripted feature film, “Roll With It”. The movie, based on a script that Chonda originally wrote with her late husband, follows the humorous travails of a recently demoted, wise-cracking waitress whose faith, friends, and family pull her through personal crisis. The film is directed by Chris Dowling (“Run The Race”), financed by Endeavor Content and produced by Third Coast Content. The film was released on May 9, 2023 nationwide to over 750 theaters. [17]

Television

In 2016, Chonda's stand-up comedy series debuted on the Dove Channel, called “Chonda Pierce: Stand-Up for Families.” [18] The show is designed to encourage entire families to watch television together, and features a stand-up performance by Chonda and her guest comedians. [19]

Pierce is a frequent guest on famed “Grand Ole Opry” and has served as host of the Inspirational Country Music Awards and Christian Music Hall of Fame Awards and also co-hosted the GMA Dove Awards in 2012. [20] She has also appeared on "Entertainment Tonight," “The View,” Fox News Channel, “Wanda Sykes,” “Hallmark Home & Family,” NY1, CNN's “History of Comedy”, [21] “How The States Got Their Shapes” [22] and her comedy is regularly featured on XM and Sirius satellite radio. Variety raved about her ability to draw audiences for an encore performance for "Chonda Pierce: Laughing in the Dark." [23]

Pierce received five Daytime Emmy nominations for her work co-hosting talk show “Aspiring Women” on the Total Living Network and her first television special, “This Ain’t Prettyville!” on the CMT Network. [24]

Philanthropy

In 2006 Pierce founded Branches Recovery Center, which offers counseling and treatment to those with depression, anxiety, addiction, regardless of their ability to pay. [25]

Discography

Books

Children's books

DVDs

Related Research Articles

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Phyllis Diller</span> American stand-up comedian, actress, author, musician and artist

Phyllis Ada Diller was an American stand-up comedian, actress, author, musician, and visual artist, best known for her eccentric stage persona, self-deprecating humor, wild hair and clothes, and exaggerated, cackling laugh.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">New Zealand humour</span>

New Zealand humour bears some similarities to the body of humour of many other English-speaking countries. There are, however, several regional differences.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Jim Gaffigan</span> American comedian, actor, writer, and producer

James Christopher Gaffigan is an American stand-up comedian, actor, writer, and producer. His material often addresses fatherhood, laziness, food, religion, and general observations. He is regarded as a "clean" comic, using little profanity in his routines. He has released several successful comedy specials, including Mr. Universe, Obsessed, Cinco, and Quality Time, all of which have received Grammy nominations.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Mike Birbiglia</span> American comedian, actor, director, producer, and writer

Mike Birbiglia is an American stand-up comedian, actor, storyteller, director, producer and writer. He is a frequent contributor to This American Life and The Moth, and has released several comedy albums and television specials. His feature-length directorial debut Sleepwalk with Me (2012), based on his one-man show of the same name and in which he also starred, won awards at the Sundance and Nantucket film festivals. He also wrote, directed, and starred in the comedy-drama Don't Think Twice (2016). His 2010 book Sleepwalk with Me and Other Painfully True Stories was a New York Times bestseller and a finalist for the 2011 Thurber Prize for American Humor. Birbiglia has appeared in films such as Your Sister's Sister (2011), Cedar Rapids (2011), and Trainwreck (2015), played a recurring role in Orange Is the New Black, Billions and has guest starred in episodes of Girls, Inside Amy Schumer, and Broad City. He also replaced Jimmy Kimmel on his talk show for a week, as Kimmel caught COVID-19.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Kitty Flanagan</span> Australian comedian

Kitty Flanagan is an Australian comedian, writer and actress who works in Australia and the United Kingdom. She has also performed in France, Germany, the Netherlands, South Africa, and Japan and at the Edinburgh Festival Fringe and Montreal Just For Laughs festival.

Margaret Smith is an American six-time Emmy Award-winning standup comic, actress, writer, and producer. Originally from Chicago, Illinois, Smith is known for her deadpan and often acerbic delivery, reminiscent of Eve Arden. She was a writer and producer for The Ellen DeGeneres Show. Smith lives in Austin, Texas with her two sons.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Cal Wilson</span> New Zealand stand-up comedian (1970–2023)

Cal Wilson was a New Zealand stand-up comedian, author, radio and television presenter based in Australia. Wilson wrote the New Zealand sitcom Willy Nilly from 2001 until 2003. She then appeared in numerous comedy and television shows, including being the host of Sleuth 101 and voiced Petal and Thorn in the children's TV series Kitty Is Not a Cat. Wilson also co-hosted several radio shows.

Henry Cho is an American stand-up comedian. His work can be heard nationwide several times weekly on SiriusXM Radio's Channel 98, Laugh USA, Sirius Radio's Jeff and Larry's Comedy Roundup Channel 97, and Pandora Radio's PG Comedy Radio Channel. Cho is notable for being one of the only Asian-American acts to appear regularly on the Grand Ole Opry and, on January 6, 2023, became the first Asian-American invited to become a member of the Opry.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Gary Mule Deer</span> American comedian and country musician (born 1939)

Gary Mule Deer is an American comedian and country musician.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Pokwang</span> Filipino actress, comedian and singer

Marietta Tan Subong, known professionally as Pokwang, is a Filipino comedian, actress, television host and singer.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Amy Schumer</span> American comedian and actress (born 1981)

Amy Beth Schumer is an American stand-up comedian, actress, writer, producer, and director. Schumer ventured into comedy in the early 2000s before appearing as a contestant on the fifth season of the NBC reality competition series Last Comic Standing in 2007. From 2013 to 2016, she was the creator, co-producer, co-writer, and star of the Comedy Central sketch comedy series Inside Amy Schumer, for which she received a Peabody Award and was nominated for five Primetime Emmy Awards, winning Outstanding Variety Sketch Series in 2015.

Christian comedy is a subgenre of comedy where the material presented is aimed towards a Christian audience. The performances are typically held on church grounds or at off-site, church-sponsored venues.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Tiffany Haddish</span> American comedian and actress (born 1979)

Tiffany Cornilia Haddish is an American stand-up comedienne and actress. Her breakthrough came in with a leading role in the comedy film Girls Trip (2017), which earned her several accolades and was included on The New Yorker's list of the best film performances of the 21st century. She was named one of the 100 most influential people in the world by Time magazine in 2018, and The Hollywood Reporter listed her among the 100 most powerful people in entertainment in both 2018 and 2019.

<i>Sleepwalk with Me</i> 2012 American film

Sleepwalk with Me is a 2012 American independent comedy film co-written by, directed by, and starring Mike Birbiglia. It also stars Lauren Ambrose, James Rebhorn, Carol Kane, and Cristin Milioti. Before making the film, Birbiglia had already told the autobiographical story of his struggles to become a stand-up comedian while dealing with REM behavior disorder and a failing relationship in a one-man show and a book.

Rick Altizer is a film director, recording artist, music producer, songwriter, multi-instrumentalist and radio show host.

Beth Stelling is an American stand-up comedian, writer, and actress. She has performed in the Netflix series The Standups and served as a writer for the HBO television series Crashing. Stelling has released two comedy albums, Sweet Beth and Simply the Beth, and two comedy specials, Girl Daddy and If You Didn't Want Me Then.

Martha Chaves is a Nicaraguan-Canadian comedian, actress, activist and playwright. She performs standup in English, Spanish, French and Italian. She is a regular in the comedy circuits in Canada, the United States and Latin America, at Just for Laughs and other major festivals, and on CBC Radio.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Taylor Tomlinson</span> American stand-up comedian (born 1993)

Taylor Elyse Tomlinson is an American stand-up comedian, writer, and television host. She has released two Netflix stand-up specials titled Quarter-Life Crisis (2020) and Look At You (2022). She will be the host of the upcoming CBS late-night show After Midnight, which is scheduled to premiere on January 16, 2024.

<i>Selfie Dad</i> 2020 American faith-based film

Selfie Dad is a 2020 American faith-based comedy-drama film written and directed by Brad J. Silverman. It stars stand-up comedian Michael Jr. as Ben Marcus, a former stand-up comic who attempts to become a social media star. The film's cast also includes Chonda Pierce, James Denton, Karen Abercrombie, and Jamie Grace.

Robin Tran is an American stand-up comedian, writer, actress, and producer. She is known for her stand-up comedy routines and roasts.

References

  1. ↑ Chonda Pierce (@chondapierce). "Born on March 04 resides in Nashville, Tennessee". Twitter. Retrieved April 8, 2016.
  2. 1 2 Kentucky Birth Index (1999). "U.S. Public Records Index". Family Search. Retrieved April 8, 2016.
  3. ↑ "Biography". Chonda Pierce. Chonda Pierce. Retrieved October 19, 2012.
  4. ↑ Opry. "Chonda Pierce | Opry". www.opry.com. Retrieved April 12, 2023.
  5. ↑ Chonda Pierce: Live! From the 2nd Row Piano Side (1998) - IMDb , retrieved April 12, 2023
  6. ↑ Rothman, Lily (December 17, 2013). "Chonda Pierce: How the Top-Selling Female Comedian Ever Is Still an Outsider". Time. ISSN   0040-781X . Retrieved April 12, 2023.
  7. ↑ Pittman, Joy. "Chonda Pierce in Concert March 10". The Baptist New Mexican. Retrieved April 12, 2023.
  8. ↑ Bonifield, Thomas (April 27, 2020). "Chonda Pierce Using Humor to Point Others to the Lord". Christian Film Blog. Retrieved April 12, 2023.
  9. ↑ GMA (August 28, 2015). "NEWS: Chonda Pierce is 'Laughing in the Dark' with October 27 Big Screen Debut". The Gospel Music Association. Retrieved April 12, 2023.
  10. ↑ "'Chonda Pierce: Laughing in the Dark' Takes Home Park City International Film Festival Prize". PRWeb. Retrieved April 12, 2023.
  11. ↑ Schmitt, Brad. "Chonda Pierce laughs and cries through dating". The Tennessean. Retrieved April 12, 2023.
  12. ↑ McNary, Dave (February 14, 2017). "Chonda Pierce Documentary 'Enough' Gets Screening Date (EXCLUSIVE)". Variety. Retrieved April 12, 2023.
  13. ↑ Lyons, Ally (May 6, 2019). "Chonda Pierce Is 'Unashamed'". Singing News Magazine. Retrieved April 12, 2023.
  14. ↑ "'Unashamed': New Chonda Pierce Film Highlights Those Who Boldly Stand Up for Their Faith". CBN. May 1, 2019. Retrieved April 12, 2023.
  15. ↑ Jaenchen, Lillie (April 4, 2023). "Chonda Pierce Talks Rejection and Forgiveness in THE CONFESSION Musical". Movieguide | The Family Guide to Movies & Entertainment. Retrieved April 12, 2023.
  16. ↑ "Chonda Pierce's 'Unashamed' in theaters May 7 & 9 | Baptist Press". www.baptistpress.com/. April 17, 2019. Retrieved April 12, 2023.
  17. ↑ "Comedic Icon Chonda Pierce Stars in 'Roll With It' Hitting 750 Movie Theaters on May 9, 11, and 13". CCM Magazine. CCM Magazine. March 29, 2023. Retrieved April 12, 2023.
  18. ↑ "Chonda Pierce Presents: Stand-Up for Families - Episode 1". Dove.org. Retrieved April 12, 2023.
  19. ↑ Law, Jeannie Ortega; Reporter, Christian Post (February 10, 2016). "Comedian Chonda Pierce and Dove Channel Present 'Stand-Up For Families'". The Christian Post. Retrieved April 12, 2023.
  20. ↑ "GMA Dove Awards Full Shows Archive | The 54th Annual GMA Dove Awards" . Retrieved April 12, 2023.
  21. ↑ "The History of Comedy". CNN. Retrieved April 12, 2023.
  22. ↑ "Watch How The States Got Their Shapes Season 1 | Prime Video". www.amazon.com. Retrieved April 12, 2023.
  23. ↑ McNary, Dave (October 23, 2015). "Fathom Gives Chonda Pierce Documentary a Major Push". Variety. Retrieved April 12, 2023.
  24. ↑ GMA (February 10, 2016). "NEWS: Queen of Clean, Chonda Pierce Presents 'Stand Up for Families' Exclusive 3-Part Series on Dove Channel". The Gospel Music Association. Retrieved April 12, 2023.
  25. ↑ admin (March 12, 2018). "Chonda Pierce, Branches Counseling Center". Gospel Music Hall Of Fame. Retrieved April 12, 2023.
This page is based on this Wikipedia article
Text is available under the CC BY-SA 4.0 license; additional terms may apply.
Images, videos and audio are available under their respective licenses.