Just For Laughs’ ComedyPRO returns with their exceptional annual global gathering for the comedy industry's biggest players. This four-day industry experience grants access to a wide range of highly sought-after events, including keynotes, pitch panels, entertaining cast panels, networking events, and live comedy podcasts. Additionally, ComedyPRO presents the annual Just For Laughs Awards Show and red carpet, which is one of the most buzzworthy events of the festival. The awards honour and celebrate iconic and influential names in comedy that span generations, creating a memorable and star-studded afternoon that embodies the spirit of the comedy industry.
JUST FOR LAUGHS AWARDS SHOW
JUST FOR LAUGHS AWARD SHOW - Friday, July 28 2023 | DoubleTree by Hilton, Grand Salon Ballroom | 3:00 PM
This year’s recipients include:
Comedy Person of the Year - Quinta Brunson
The multi-talented Emmy award-winning actor, producer, writer, and creator, Quinta Brunson, has rapidly emerged as a prominent figure and game changer in the entertainment industry. She has been recognized as one of Time 100's Most Influential People, Forbes' 30 Under 30, and The Hollywood Reporter's Next Gen Rising Young Stars. Brunson made history as the first Black woman to receive three Emmy nominations and win in the "Outstanding Writing for a Comedy Series" category for her ABC series, Abbott Elementary. The show has garnered numerous awards and nominations, including five Golden Globe and six Critics Choice Awards among many other awards.
Brunson was named one of the Just For Laughs New Faces: Creators in 2017, and since then, she has continued to make waves in the industry with her exceptional talent and groundbreaking work. The festival is honored to have her return this year to accept the JFL Award for "Comedy Person of the Year".
Stand Up Comedian of the Year - Bert Kreischer
Bert Kreischer’s career has evolved from earning Rolling Stone’s 1997 “Number One Partier in the Nation”, to one of the top grossing stand-up comics in the business. Ranked #4 in Pollstar's "Top 10 Highest Grossing Tours" in 2022, Kreischer performs to sold-out arenas worldwide on his ongoing 2023 Tops Off World Tour and this summer’s Fully Loaded Comedy Festival. Renowned for his storytelling abilities, he authentically shares tales of family and fatherhood, showcasing how he seamlessly brings his party-boy persona into middle-age.
On March 14th, 2023, Kreischer released his highly anticipated 5th stand-up special, Razzle Dazzle on Netflix. Shameless — and shirtless — as ever, Bert spills on bodily emissions, being bullied by his kids, and the explosive end to his family's escape room outing. His stand-up specials, Secret Time, The Machine, and Hey Big Boy are also currently streaming on Netflix. Additionally, he stars in and produced the 2023 film The Machine, based on his own experiences with Russian mobsters during a college trip. Alongside his successful comedy career, Kreischer is a celebrated podcaster, hosting Bertcast and co-hosting Two Bears One Cave with Tom Segura. As the founder of Berty Boy Productions, his media company supports various podcasts, including Wife Of The Party and the digital series, Something's Burning. Bert Kreischer continues to captivate audiences with his humor and versatile talent and the festival is honored to have him return this year to accept the JFL Award for "Stand Up Comedian of the Year”
Breakout Comedy Star of the Year – Ronny Chieng
Stand-up comedian, actor and correspondent on The Daily Show, Ronny Chieng has broken out with a mega successful acting career, starring in the worldwide hit film, Warner Bros’ Crazy Rich Asians. In addition to Marvel's Shang-Chi and the Legend of the Ten Rings, Disney's Doogie Kamealoha, M.D., Universal’s M3GAN, NBC's Young Rock, Disney+ series American Born Chinese, amongst his comedy specials currently available to stream on Netflix. Next, fans will see him in Hulu’s upcoming series Interior Chinatown. The festival is honored to have him return this year to accept the JFL Award for "Breakout Comedy Star of the Year”.
Rising Comedy Star of the Year - Mae Martin (pictured)
Award winning comedian, actor, writer, and producer, Mae Martin is seeing their star rise to fame at record speed. Their hit Netflix series, Feel Good is a scripted, semi-autobiographical comedy drama series, which they also created and co-wrote continues to collect international awards and nominations, making it one of the most trending series on the platform. They are also an accomplished author of Can Everyone Please Calm Down?: A Guide to 21st Century Sexuality, published in May 2019 by Hachette imprint Wren and Rook.
Their stand-up specials have garnered rave reviews. First, Netflix’s Dope, which focuses on addiction; and most recently, Netflix’s SAP that continues to rake in high praise from critics and fans. The festival is honoured to have them return this year to accept the JFL Award for “Rising Comedy Star of the Year”. They also starred in C4's game show Taskmaster.
Full Just For Laughs details at www.comedypro.hahaha.com
