On some level — even from a young age — comedian Drew Lynch always knew he wanted to be in show business. He just didn’t think he would work in stand-up. Lynch appeared on the 10th season of America’s Got Talent for his comedy routine and received a golden buzzer, finishing second behind British ventriloquist Paul Zerdin.
“We all like to think we’re funny and have some kind of sense of humor,” he says. “I always wanted to do acting and was always intrigued by it. I still am.”
The Indianapolis-born Lynch moved to Las Vegas with his family when he was 8, where he attended a performing arts middle and high school. And while most people who live in Las Vegas avoid the strip, Lynch says the community is still entertainment-driven and that’s part of the reason he was able to edge into the business himself.
“(Las Vegas) is still an ideal spot for a lot of people to bring their kids from all over the country to get to do some big productions in a place that takes entertainment very seriously,” he says.
Post-graduation, Lynch left for Los Angeles where he quickly landed an agent, manager and, subsequently, a few roles in various Disney projects. But his acting aspirations came to a halt when he was hit in the throat while playing softball.
“I went to sleep on a concussion and lost a lot of my motor skills,” he says.
Along with that, he developed a severe stutter. As a result, his representation dropped him.
“That was devastating to me,” he says. “That’s when I turned to comedy as my next vehicle for creative expression.”
Stand-up became therapeutic for Lynch in that it offered ways to deal with new life challenges. What was a hobby grew into something more, eventually culminating in an audition for America’s Got Talent. Unlike what the reality TV competition may imply, many contestants meet with producers to audition instead of taking the stage to perform in front of a panel of judges. But Lynch physically waited in line to see the panel.
“I stayed there the whole day doing the whole audition process,” he says. “Going in and out of rooms I don’t know how many times.” By the end of the day, he was in front of the judges: Howie Mandel, Mel B., Heidi Klum and Howard Stern. “That was an opportunity I couldn’t have anticipated.”
In 2015, before auditioning for the show, Lynch began posting videos on his YouTube channel (which now has over a million and a half subscribers) to promote his work, many of which feature his service dog Stella.
“I was traveling a lot, doing colleges, and this is before anyone knew who I was,” he says. “I was just a college act and my dog is also a hobby of mine.”
He also landed an appearance on Conan last August.
“I stutter. I have to say that every show,” he said during Conan. “I have to say that because people look at me like, ‘Does he know?’ You’d actually be surprised to know how many times people come up to me and say, ‘I bet that’s not your real voice. You’re just faking it.’”
Currently, he’s headlining comedy clubs all over the country, including the Liberty Funny Bone this Friday through Sunday (Nov. 16-18).
All of this has brought him full circle: Once again, Lynch is snagging acting roles.
“Right after America’s Got Talent, I got invited to audition for Maron,” he says. He landed the role of Adam, appearing in four episodes of the IFC sitcom. He also had a recurring role on the Direct TV/ U-verse series Cassandra French’s Finishing School, as well as parts on We’re Not Friends, Totally Megan and Dogs & Me and is slated to appear in two upcoming movies.
Part of the reason he reckons people have taken notice, aside from his appearance on America’s Got Talent, is the overall push for diversity in casting.
“Things that were once a deterrent are now seen as niche, or a unique characteristic and all just part of the casting process,” he says.
After tasting some success upon arriving in L.A., Lynch says he became arrogant. Post-injury and then finding stand-up, he says the whole experience has humbled him.
“I think stand-up teaches you to do almost the opposite of that,” he says, referring to egotism. “No one wants to hear anybody talk about how great their life his. It also taught me to listen more and have more compassion.”
Drew Lynch will perform at the Liberty Funny Bone (7518 Bales St., Liberty Township) Nov.16-18. More info/tickets: liberty.funnybone.com.