I live in Chicago, Illinois,
a long way from where my
life began in Montreal, Canada
(that’s right, this biography is
written in the 1st person and
will continue to be so long as
I’m the one writing them).

I was born to a German father
and a French-Canadian mother.
From my father I would hear
such strict commands as,

“Derick, failure is not an option!”

While from my mother,

“Derick, if at first you don’t succeed,
don’t tell your father!”

At an early age I enjoyed making
people laugh, particularly at school.
By senior year I was a member
of my high school drama club.
However, a career in arts never
seemed like a viable choice in
Ignace, Ontario, the small
mining town that I grew up in.
And so I enrolled at McGill
University’s Business program.

After graduating in 1997
I immediately began work
at a lead consulting firm.
However, I couldn’t have
been unhappier. This job
made me sick, literally.
By January 2000 I was
undergoing regular
examination by doctors.
There were no obvious
causes though.

Finally, a nurse asked me the
proverbial million dollar question,
“How are things at work?”

“Terrible,” I replied.

“Then may I suggest you make a change,”
she said quietly.

She then left the room.

I sat there alone with my thoughts.
I had an obvious choice
– quit my job or die.

A day later I quit my job.
My illness disappeared
immediately. Actually,
if I remember correctly,
my symptoms began to
disappear as I was wrote
my letter of resignation.
As I handed it to my boss
he was curious to know
what I was going to do next.

“I’m going to be a stand-up comic,” I said.

His look became distant.
After several seconds he replied,

“I used to play the saxophone…good luck!”

Although I felt freer than ever,
the transition to comedy was tough.
I went from earning a salary to
working for meals.
My first “paying” gig at
Angelo’s in Montreal paid
a plate of spaghetti.
The garlic bread was extra.
Since then, it’s all been uphill,
but in a good way.

There have been many rewards.
I have appeared in the international
Just For Laughs festival three times.
I was nominated for
Best Newcomer in 2005 by the
Canadian Comedy Awards.

That year I also taped my own
1 hour special for CTV’s Comedy Now
which still airs regularly
on the Comedy Network.

In 2006 a short film I wrote
and starred in called “Slice of Life”
about a passionate pizza delivery guy
won the “Audience Choice Award”
at the Eat My Shorts JFL festival.

And most recently I finished
1st runner up in the 33rd Annual
San Francisco Comedy Competition.

But most importantly,
I met my future wife,
a native of Chicago,
while performing at a
comedy club in 2004.

And that has been
my career’s biggest reward.

Follow your heart.

Cheers!

Derick Lengwenus.