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Part man, part ageless boy; comedian Dwight Slade has the
privilege of being a comedy legend in American stand up. The
winner of this year’s Boston Comedy Festival, Slade combines an
intelligent, raging voice of justice with the snickering
attitude of a high school prankster. He gives the impression of
a man on a journey. Who enjoys nothing more than making fun of
everything along the way. Born in Seattle, Dwight moved often in
his early years, living in San Mateo, California; Wilton,
Connecticut; Marietta, Georgia and Houston, Texas.
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Throughout his high school and college years, Dwight continued
to focus on stand-up. At 18, Slade finished 3rd in the Euphoria
Comedy Contest, and full of ambition, moved to Hollywood. He
became one of the youngest performers to ever perform at the
famous Comedy Store.
In the 1980’s, the comedy boom was underway and Dwight found he
could garner more precious stage time in Portland, Oregon than
in Los Angeles. “Why should I live in Los Angeles when I can be
just as miserable and unknown in Portland?” Slade soon
established himself as the premier stand-up in the Northwest
opening concerts for Jay Leno, Jerry Seinfeld, Jeff Beck and
Dave Chappelle.
Now
married with children, the young family faced an interesting
dilemma: how do you travel on the road as a working comedian
and stay together as a family? The solution took the form of a
36 foot fifth wheel travel trailer that the young family toured
and lived in for four years while Dwight headlined comedy clubs
across the US and Canada. “My second child was born in the
RV,” says Slade, “We were pulled over at the time.” Slade
decided to hang up the nomadic lifestyle and settle down in
Portland. It proved to be a good decision.
While grounded in Portland, Slade was able to explore more
personal aspects to his stand up comedy. Putting together the
critically praised, one man political primer, "Do People Really
Think Like That?" Dwight was not only funny, but also thought
provoking. The San Antonio Express wrote, “Slade restores one’s
faith in comedy as the great equalizer. At his cerebral best he
becomes the voice of the little man looking for a little justice
– and just maybe a little pay back – for life’s daily mundane
humiliations.”
The 90’s found Dwight moving into new arenas of creativity.
Radio station KXL-AM billed him as “The Northwest’s Most
Dangerous Mind” as he became a noted talk radio personality who
used humor instead of rage to engage listeners. He released two
comedy CD’s on Humor Ink recordings, "Weird State," and
“Shut-up.”
Slade’s feature film debut came in 2000 in the movie
“Inconceivable,” which enjoyed a run on Showtime and Lifetime.
Slade also co-starred in the gritty family drama, “My Way Home”
which won the Platinum Award at the 2001 Houston International
Film Festival. Since then, Slade has made appearances in three
feature films including the soon to be released James Westby
film, “Rid Of Me.”
In 2002, Slade became the first stand-up to make appearances at
the three major North American Comedy Festivals: Aspen, Chicago
and Montreal. On the heels of his performances, Slade signed a
development deal with Warner Brothers Television. Slade was
chosen to appear on HBO’s “Best of the US Comedy Arts Festival”
and made an appearance on Comedy Central’s Premium Blend.
Slade’s stand-up has gained international stature after earning
a five star review from Scotland’s Minister of Culture at the
prestigious Edinburgh Fringe Festival and appearances at the
Montreal Just For Laughs Festival. He followed this with a
tour in Afghanistan performing for US Troops, a tour of Israel.
After a stellar performance at the 2008 Comedy Festival in Las
Vegas, Slade was chosen to appear on a Tonight Show feature.
Slade’s Hi-Def Comedy Special, “Right & Raunch” is now available
on DVD.
Dwight is a single father with two children.
And, yes, he is an Aries...
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