Whose Punchline is it Anyway?

Emmy Award-winning actor and comedian Wayne Alphonso Brady is best remembered for the American comedy series, Whose Line is It Anyway? During his India tour this fortnight, he will hammer us with his punchlines. Brady shares his thoughts over an email interview

When and how did you take to improvisational comedy?

I took up improvisational comedy at the age of 18 so that I would never be at a loss when I was on stage or in front of the camera. I did not want to be the person who could not think of anything in case they forgot a line.

How did you develop your humour? Were you always the funny guy?

I was never the funny guy. At the improvisational comedy group I was a part of, called "A Houseful of Donkeys", I would try to take the back role because there were so many other things that interested me. I prefer wrapping myself in books more than jumping out and wanting to be the funny guy in the middle of a crowd. But when I am on stage, my inner persona comes out — I may not be the funny guy in real life but I am definitely the funny guy when the situation calls for it.

How did you get involved with Whose line Is it Anyway?

I auditioned for the show while still working at a local theme park with Universal Studios. I thought I would not make it, so I made lunch plans, but once the smoke cleared, I was left standing.

You can sing, dance, and do comedy. Did you involve yourself in these multiple disciplines in an effort to stand out?

It was never an effort to stand out. I was brought up loving actors like Sammy Davis Jr, Danny Kaye, Billy Crystal, Whoopi Goldberg and Nic Van Dyk among others who could do a lot of things. If there was no acting available, then I would sing or do something else.

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