David C. Smalley is a comedian, actor, podcaster, social media star, and a hilarious dad. Smalley came a long way from a small town in Texas, where he entertained his mother and sister with jokes and skits when he was a little boy. He is currently on a stand-up comedy tour titled, Good White, and his first comedy special will be taped at the Bourbon Room on Hollywood Boulevard in Los Angeles, on January 11, 2025. (A few tickets are still left, to watch it live). Smalley didn’t initially dream of comedy specials and tours. The town where he was born and raised was so small it didn’t have traffic lights. Though Smalley loved performing for his family from a very young age and didn’t fear being the center of attention, he was convinced his future was saddled to the town. No one famous, not one actor or comedian, was from his hometown. It was an offhanded remark by his father that changed his viewpoint and set his sights on something more. “I made a joke at the dinner table and my dad said ‘Thousands of comedians are out of work and you’re trying to be funny’ and my only thought was ‘Wait…people get paid for that?'” Smalley said. Entertainment was his passion, and he knew it was what he wanted to do as a career. He came alive when on the stage. When he couldn’t find any other job fulfilling, he decided to break into the comedy industry. Long before the current podcast craze, there was internet radio. Smalley started an internet show, a great way to introduce himself to his potential audience. Undeterred by the fact no one would give him stage time at comedy clubs, he produced his own comedy shows and booked himself because, as he puts it, “I was the only one that wouldn’t tell me ‘no’.” According to his first manager, Smalley developed a “commanding stage presence,” and spent the next 8 years of his career perfecting the art of stand-up comedy. “For me, speaking in front of crowds was always easy. And being funny around my friends was easy. But, being funny at a certain date, for a specific amount of time, in front of crowds, regardless of how you’re feeling, takes a lot of work. So getting on stage and not being afraid of failure, has helped me grow,” he says. Comedians often need help to get enough stage time to hone their craft. Smalley’s solution to this dilemma was to produce his own comedy shows–nearly 100 at the time of this article. He also turned to social mediato find and build his audience. He currently has a following of 1.7 million on TikTok, where he posts comedy videos with his daughter, Talissa. Calling back to the early days of his career when he had an radio internet show, he co-hosts the podcast Daughter Issues with Talissa. Smalley continues to build on his success and will soon be seen in the upcoming film The Ascendents. A comedy tour, comedy special, and movie are all the products of his hard work, outside-the-box planning, and comedy chops. One fan noted: “Smalley’s shows are energetic and relatable, and he loves to meet the fans. He’s more than just a funny dad on the internet. He’s the real deal.” For a comedian who “literally forced” his way into the industry, Smalley is living his dream. To purchase tickets to his comedy tour, text 424-306-0798 or visit davidcsmalley.com. The post David C. Smalley: Hilarious Dad Debuts Comedy Special appeared first on LA Weekly.