Brett Leake
Funny Keynote Speaker Clean, Motivational Comedian Sit down Standup Comic
Comedian Brett Leake stands apart - or at least sits apart - from his peers. In his youth, the Virginia native was diagnosed with muscular dystrophy. But he pushed the disability aside and has become a successful comic, gaining national recognition on The Tonight Show with Jay Leno, Entertainment Tonight, and the American Comedy Awards. Brett Leake’s Clients include:
Sydney (Australia) Children's Hospital The HUMOR Project Allstate Department of Labor Rural Health Association Department of Defense/Joint Forces Command IBM The Smithsonian Associates
Most Requested Programs:
“Genius with a 'J’”
Clean and Funny, Sit-down Standup Comedy A standup comic since 1983, a sit down comic since 1998, Brett remains an energetic performer of observational humor. His interest easily aroused he gives himself completely to topics that range from sweet potato pie to pi (3.14159). Brett's lively desire to learn and to know lead him from the kitchen to the car to the classroom. Behind a persona sometimes frustrated, sometimes confused, Brett wonders about the little problems: junk mail on recycled paper; the expiration date on bottled water; light bulbs that burn out an instant after being turned on. Not content at identifying ironies, Brett offers solutions to such vexing problems as figuring out how much to tip, operating a hotel shower, and getting around the I before E rule. True to his nature, Brett eventually finds a positive spin to whatever's bothering him whether it's getting a C in Latin to waking up tired.
"At Least I’ve Got My Health“
Funny and clean observations about the little problems of daily life culled from Brett's standup plus stories about using humor as a problem-solving device and as an aid in managing change. Perfect as a Keynote for health related conventions, companies/industries undergoing change, leadership retreats, and as a fun way to do diversity. Clients include Sydney (Australia) Children's Hospital, The HUMOR Project, Allstate, Department of Labor, Rural Health Association: South Carolina, Oklahoma.
P.O. Box 5162 • Louisville, Kentucky 40255-0162 1-800-955-4746 • info@mckinneyspeakers.com
McKinney Associates, Inc.
About Brett Leake…
Brett Leake made history in 1991 when he became the first disabled comedian to appear on NBC’s The Tonight Show. In April, his sixty-minute comedy special, “Laughing Matters with Brett Leake” began playing public broadcasting stations around the country. About his first set on The Tonight Show, Jay Leno said, “He broke up the whole room. People realized here's a man with a disability and he's not gonna’ let it bother him.” On Entertainment Tonight, Jerry Seinfeld had this to say: “He’s funny.” Born 1959, in Richmond, Virginia to Francis and Sylvia Leake. One brother, Derek. Graduated from Henrico High School in 1978, from The College of William and Mary in 1982 with a BA in Economics. Worked as a standup comic from 1983 until 1997 when he began working as a sit-down standup comic. Continues at present. In 1998, began to work also as a motivational speaker adding to his standup act, personal stories and what have been called 'philosophic lecturettes', that address using humor as a problem-solving device, and as a means to get more out of life. Has performed at the Smithsonian, the Kennedy Center, and Wolftrap. Corporate clients include IBM, Toyota, and Ford.
Has facioscapulohumeral muscular dystrophy. In 1991, became the first disabled comic to appear on NBC's Tonight Show about which Jay Leno said, "He broke up the whole room. People realized here's a man with a disability and he's not gonna' let it bother him." Other television appearances include Entertainment Tonight and the American Comedy Awards. In 2002, his one-man show "Knuckleball" began to play at small theaters, and in 2003 public broadcasting stations around the country will run his hour-long comedy special "Laughing Matters with Brett Leake." Interests include geology, natural history, and the American Civ il War. Enjoys visiting battlefields with his brother, Derek, birding and 'treeing' with his mother in the Shenandoah Valley, and taking in a ballgame with his father. Resides in Louisa County, Virginia with his dad.
P.O. Box 5162 • Louisville, Kentucky 40255-0162 1-800-955-4746 • info@mckinneyspeakers.com
McKinney Associates, Inc.