MEET THE PERFORMERS

Adam Christie is an award-winning television writer and stand-up comedian. Adam won a Canadian Screen Award for his work on the critically acclaimed show Baroness Von Sketch Show on CBC and IFC, and he is the former head writer of This Hour Has 22 Minutes. As an actor, Adam has appeared on Schitt’s Creek, What We Do in the Shadows, and The Expanse. Adam’s debut stand-up album ‘General Anxiety Disorder’ was nominated for a Juno Award for Comedy Album of the Year, and in 2019 he won the Sirius XM Top Comic competition at the Queen Elizabeth Theatre in Toronto. This winter Adam will be taping his sophomore album in Toronto.

Allie Pearse is a standup comedian and writer on the award-winning TV shows Letterkenny and Shoresy. She just toured North America in over 40 cities as part of the ‘Letterkenny Presents: A night of Standup Comedy’. In 2023, she performed at Just For Laughs on the Russell Peters gala, in 2022 she was a 'New Faces' performer at the Just For Laughs festival and is the winner of JFL’s 2021 Standup & Pitch competition. She has performed for tapings at the Winnipeg Comedy Festival, JFL’s New Wave of Comedy, CBC’s The Debaters and CBC’s LOL network. Allie was a staff writer on the 2022 JFL Galas where she wrote for Chelsea Handler, Jo Koy, Patton Oswalt and Russell Peters and a staff writer/performer on Roast Battle Canada Season 3 & 4. She has performed at the Sled Island Comedy Festival, Hubcap Comedy Festival and Winnipeg Comedy Festival. Allie has been featured on Sirius XM radio, has recorded for JFL Originals and OFF-JFL and was a co-headlining act at the 2022 Just For Laughs in Toronto. She has opened for Meg Stalter, Hannah Berner, Giggly Squad, Kurtis Connor, Matteo Lane and Rafi Bastos.

Ben Miner has been a stand-up for over half his life. He’s toured coast to coast and across the UK, having made stops at festivals such as Just for Laughs in Montreal, JFL Northwest and NXNE in Toronto. When he’s not on stage Ben is still behind a mic at the SiriusXM Comedy Club where he hosts Comic Stripped. And if he looks familiar, maybe you saw him on the first season of Masterchef Canada where he made the top 16.

Celeste Lampa is a stand-up comedian based in Edmonton, Alberta. By day, she’s a hard-working suburban mom. And by night, she’s still a hard-working suburban mom. She performs all over Canada, and was featured at Edmonton’s Grindstone Comedy Festival. In 2023, she recorded with JFL Originals and released an album titled ‘25%’ on Sirius XM.

Toronto-based, Daniel Woodrow has appeared at the Just For Laughs, JFLVancouver, and JFLToronto festivals. His stand up can been seen on CBC Gem’s ‘New Wave Of Stand Up’ Season 4. Woodrow also recently stared in 5 episodes of Roast Battle Canada streaming on Crave, one of which earned him a Canadian Screen Award nomination for Best Performance in a Variety Series. His acting credits include appearances in Kids In The Hall, Star Trek: Discovery, Pretty Hard Cases, The Beaverton and Run The Burbs

Ernie Vicente is a Filipino stand-up comedian from Toronto, Ontario. With his laidback observations and surreal one liners, he tours regularly across North America. He recently did a taping for the Just For Laughs Originals album and was also featured on CBC’s LOL and Sirius XM.

Garrett Jamieson, a rising star in comedy, blends dark absurdist dad jokes with captivating storytelling, enchanting audiences worldwide. As a key figure at Comedy Records, Canada’s leading comedy label, he has made waves with his sketch troupe "The BOOM" and his collaboration with Sprattacus. Their album "SuperDrunkGnome" and live album "Born Crying Die Laughing" have earned acclaim, with their festive album supporting Special Olympics Canada. Garrett’s international tours and media presence, including his web series "THAT GUY" and social media, highlight his comedic prowess.

Trinidadian-born, Canadian raised comedian Jean Paul has always had an innate sense of humour. Jean has traveled extensively across Canada, the U.S., the Caribbean, South Africa and the U.K., performing at such legendary venues as the Apollo in New York, the Comedy Store in London, and at Place des Arts in Montreal. No stranger to the festival circuit, Jean has performed at Just For Laughs, Halifax and Winnipeg Comedy Festivals and among other credits has written for and toured with Russell Peters. Currently he can be seen as a morning segment correspondent on CityTV’s Breakfast TV. Jean has also been nominated for several prestigious awards, including the Tim Sims’ Award for up-and-coming comedians, and a Gemini Award for Best Writing in a Comedy Series.

John Mostyn is a Toronto-based comedian originally from Glasgow, Scotland. Since moving to Canada, he has become one of the city's most exciting and popular performers. His storytelling and quick-witted, fish-out-of-water humor have drawn comparisons to Scottish legends like Billy Connolly and Kevin Bridges. John’s debut album, "Scottish C*nt," released in 2022, hit #1 on iTunes and received widespread acclaim. He’s opened for comedy heavyweights like Russell Howard and performed at major festivals including Just For Laughs and Edinburgh Fringe.

Marito Lopez is one of Canada’s top headliners. He is a Latinx comedian, originally from El Salvador, who has left his mark on every major city in the country. He is a regular at The Just For Laughs Festival, has appeared at The Winnipeg Comedy Festival, and has been featured on CBC Gem’s New Wave Of Stand Up Comedy, Kevin Hart’s LOL Network, and Rick Mercer’s Comedy Night In Canada. Most recently he starred as Carlito on CBC’s One More Time and as recurring character on the animated series Gary And His Demons.

Monica Gross is a dynamic comedian performing at clubs across Toronto and New York. Known for her sharp humour and fearless honesty, Monica’s comedy hits close to home with audiences everywhere. With a thriving social media presence and a hit podcast, "Menty Breaky," she delivers laughs to fans worldwide. Monica also won the 2023 Laughing Buddha New Talent Competition in New York City and her viral comedy sketches have been featured in The Washington Post, marking her as a comedian to watch.

Patrick Hakeem is a standout in Canada's comedy scene, with quick wit and a captivating presence. He’s performed at top festivals like JFL Toronto and NXNE, and featured on Sirius XM and CBC. A half-Syrian, half-Ecuadorian from Montreal, his multicultural roots infuse his comedy with depth. Patrick's engaging, relatable humor and sharp insights make him a rising star to watch. Each performance promises laughter, connection, and unforgettable entertainment.

After standout appearances at Just For Laughs and a viral hit from the Winnipeg Comedy Festival in 2018, Rob Bebenek has emerged as one of Canada’s brightest new comedy voices. His quick wit and sharp observational humor have made him a force on stages across North America. A finalist in Sirius XM’s Top Comic, Bebenek has become a major player, performing in theatres, clubs, and colleges. Hailing from Kitchener, Ontario, he’s opened for big names like Bob Saget, Burt Kreischer, and Gerry Dee.

Sandra Battaglini is an award winning stand-up comic, actor and writer. She is a two time Canadian Comedy Award winner for her solo show shows, Classy Lady and Hard Headed Woman. She tours the country and appears in NBC Seeso's flagship web series, The Amazing Gayle Pile, CBS's In the Dark and Netflix's In the Shadow of the Moon and CBC's Communist's Daughter. She was a semi-finalist in the She Devil Comedy Competition in NYC and and released her first comedy special Take it Ease in 2022. She spearheaded a grassroots movement to have stand-up comedy recognized as an art form and started the Canadian Association of Stand-up Comedians that lobbies for comedian's rights.

For over three decades Todd Graham has been one of Canada’s top comedic artists. His 1987 pre-internet mash-up, Apocalypse Pooh has been celebrated by Film Threat, Complex, CineAction, The Believer and The Whitney Museum of Art. The short film was featured by CBC Toronto and since going online has gained over two million views.   As a stand-up comedian Todd’s performed at the Just For Laughs Festival as well as at multiple Galas at the Winnipeg Comedy Festival, JFL 42, Kitchener-Waterloo Festival and NXNE. His comedy has been showcased on national television with CBC, CTV Comedy Channel and iChannel and his debut album, Bustin’ Loose! can regularly be heard on SiriusXM

Adrienne Fish, known for her big hair and bold personality, is making waves in Canada’s comedy scene. Based in Toronto, she has recorded four national TV performances, including Just For Laughs’ Homegrown Comics on CTV Comedy Channel and CraveTV. Adrienne was featured on Season 2 of CTV's Roast Battle Canada and is a regular on Sirius XM. An award-winning comedian, she was named COCA Comedian of the Year in 2019 and nominated for two Canadian Comedy Awards, including Breakout Artist of the Year.

Ava Val is a comedian/musician/actress from Toronto. Her honest and insightful-yet-silly & spontaneous account of her transgender journey has turned heads across North America, earning her repeat appearances at renowned festivals such as Just For Laughs, JFL Toronto and Vancouver, Off-JFL/Zoofest, the Winnipeg and Halifax Comedy Festivals, The Arctic Comedy Festival, and many others, as well as earned her a writing role on the 30th season of This Hour Has 22 Minutes. Though she has taped numerous standup performances for CBC Gem, Crave, & CTV, has a new standup comedy special So Brave out June 2024, hosts her own podcast “PodGis”, and was a lead cast member on OutTV’s Drag Heals season 3, Ava Val is surely an act that must be seen in person to be believed – and celebrated!

A fresh face in comedy, Brandon has been named a JFL Montreal New Face; and was the winner of a Canadian Screen Award for his work as Head Writer on Canada’s Drag Race. In 2018, he created The Ethnic Rainbow (Canada's first & only comedy show for LGBT comedians of colour). Brandon's album, Capricornication, which debuted at #1 on the iTunes Canada Comedy charts made him the first Gay, Black Canadian to release a comedy album. NPR's Bullseye named it "one of the best comedy albums of 2020." Brandon was one of the stars of Amazon original series Last One Laughing: Canada. He most recently served as the Toronto correspondent on the longest-running comedy show in Canadian history, This Hour Has 22 Minutes.

Chris Robinson is one of the top comics working in the country right now. He has done multiple tapings at The Just For Laughs festival in Montreal. He was also the winner of the Sirius XM Top Comic competition taking home a $25k grand prize. You can stream his stand up special 'Panning For Gold' on CRAVE. He has also made a name for himself in the acting world appearing in 'Pillow Talk' on CRAVE and 'One More Time' on CBC. NOW Magazine has described him as having “charisma and raw talent to burn.”

A veteran of the Canadian comedy scene, Dr. Ted Morris started his comedy career while looking for a way to blow off steam during veterinary school. His most recent achievements include the release of his debut comedy album “Dawn of the Ted” , being insulted by Simon Cowell on “America’s Got Talent”, his 6th appearance at the Halifax Comedy Festival, 3rd appearance at the Winnipeg Comedy Festival, Comedy Night with Rick Mercer on CBC, continuing his undefeated streak on CBC Radio’s “The Debaters”, a Gala taping at Just for Laughs Montreal which was nominated for a Canadian Screen Award and a Canadian Comedy Award nomination for Best Stand-up Comic. He’s pretty funny. Even his cat patients think so.

Electrifying on stage and sometimes shocking, Faiza Kulle’s comedy takes a look at the bright side-then stares directly into the sun! Born, raised and based in Toronto, Faiza has done shows all over the city, including shows co-produced by JFLToronto and other fantastic local comics in her scene. She is proud to become one.

Hannah Veldhoen, a rising star in comedy, has captivated audiences across the country. Hannah has performed at the Just for Laughs Toronto Festival and is currently signed with Yuk Yuk’s Comedy Club. Known for her sharp wit and engaging storytelling, Hannah turns everyday moments into comedic gold with a unique flair. Her relatable humour and dynamic stage presence make her a standout performer, ensuring laughter and a memorable experience for every audience.

With his unmistakable charm, Jeff Paul pushes the boundaries of comedy leaving no topics off limit. Jeff’s quick wit and unrestrained attitude often result in raw, embarrassing stories at his own expense. Notable comedians Jeff has opened for include Louis CK, Harland Williams and Gilbert Gottfried. He appears on Roast Battle Canada on CTV Comedy, and heard on CBC Radio’s Laugh Out Loud, was selected for New Faces at JFL42 in Toronto and was a cross-country touring Yuk Yuk’s headliner. For 5 years he ran one of Toronto’s best weekly shows, Dope N’ Mic Comedy, at the famed Underground Comedy Club. It was the first 420-friendly show in Just For Laughs history to be included as a part of their festival. In 2014 he founded the Icebreakers Comedy Festival in his hometown of Niagara-on-the-Lake and in 2022 he launched The Big Sound Comedy Festival in Parry Sound. Recognized as one of the top MCs nationwide, Jeff hosts the Pro Show every Thursday night at Toronto’s renowned Comedy Bar. His debut album “Delightfully Dark” is available through Comedy Records and on all major streaming platforms.

Keesha Brownie is an energetic, multi-faceted performer. She crafts her comedic recipe with a background in theatre, sketch, and music. Making observations about her Jamaican roots and Canadian upbringing, she punctuates punchlines with act-outs, parody songs, and sometimes even backup dancers. "Theatre is what really gave me the legs and the skeleton to do standup comedy because it's the same kind of art form, you're up there and you're vulnerable." - Keesha Brownie, interview with Alexis Perikleous for CBC Behind that dynamic stage presence lies a fierce work ethic and an entrepreneurial mind. Brownie is a Second City alumni, independent show producer, and she keeps her fingers on the pulse by frequenting open mics all over Toronto.

Mark DeBonis is known for his sharp wit and engaging storytelling. He burst onto the comedy scene with a unique style that blends observational humor with personal anecdotes. Mark's career took off after he won the Great Canadian Laugh Off, which led to appearances at prestigious comedy festivals. His stand-up specials have been featured on major networks like CBC and The Comedy Network. Mark's comedic talents extend to acting, with roles in various television shows and films. He is also a regular performer at comedy clubs across North America, where he continues to entertain audiences with his relatable and hilarious takes on everyday life.

Born and raised in Scarborough, Ontario, Monty Scott manages to combine an urban practicality with an intellectual and often silly bent. His debut album, The Abyss Stares Back was nominated for a 2020 Juno Award for Comedy Album of the Year. Always smart and original, he’s performed in theatres and clubs throughout North America and been featured on the Comedy Network, MTV and SiriusXM Radio.

Peter Saran has spent the last couple of years crisscrossing the country, performing stand-up comedy at various venues, including the prestigious Just For Laughs in Toronto. Known for his sharp, quick-witted humor and off-beat storytelling, Peter masterfully blends observational comedy with a unique perspective that leaves audiences laughing long after the show ends. His dry delivery and clever punchlines make him a standout act, ensuring that his performances are not only memorable but also deeply entertaining.

An actor, director and comedian based out of Toronto, Rodrigo has worked in the film/tv industry for 15 years. Notable acting credits include CBS comedy Ghosts, Star Trek Discovery, Son of a Critch, cult Canadian hit Kim’s Convenience, Sofia Coppola’s feature Priscilla and Blackberry. Rodrigo also specializes in writing and directing sketch comedy. He has released 3 musical comedy albums called Fog and Lasers.

Sima Sepehri is an actor and comedian based in NY. She has performed at ZooFest, JFL, been featured on The Hardy Boys, Star Trek , Hudson & Rex, CBC Radio and has written on the award winning sketch comedy show This Hour Has 22 Minutes.

Tom Henry is a comedian, actor and writer from Toronto. His acclaimed Just for Laughs produced Stand Up Special, ‘66 Jokes’, can be found on Crave TV. He's appeared  at festivals such as Just For Laughs, San Francisco Sketchfest and Bridgetown Comedy Festival, and has opened for comics such as Nate Bargatze, Nikki Glaser and Tim Meadows. He's been a regular on Andy Kindler's Alternative Show, and Kindler chose him as "The Next Big Thing" stating "Tom Henry is a comic who you could say he’s a little bit like Mitch Hedberg, a little bit Steven Wright, but he’s in a category by himself" He was named as one of LA Riot Fest's Comics to Watch in 2017 and was nominated for a Canadian Comedy Award for Best Stand-Up Newcomer in 2012. His album, ‘Tom Henry Kills’ reached number one on the iTunes comedy charts. He’s written for CBC’s This Hour Has 22 Minutes and can be seen in shows such as Netflix’s ‘The Umbrella Academy’,  Amazon Prime’s ‘The Boys’, and CTV's 'Roast Battles Canada'.

Comedian, Actor, Author and ex-Chef Ali Hassan entertains with a hilarious journey through his life in food - his decade in the restaurant industry, his struggles to feed his four children, and the challenges that come with being a gluttonous bon vivant!

Ben graduated from the Humber College Comedy Program in 2022. He was the recipient of the Brian Linehan Comedy Writing and Performance Scholarship for Outstanding Artistic Promise. He also has a background in sketch writing and acting. Ben acted in a short film titled “Sincerely, Yours” winning best indie short at the Venice Short Film Festival.

Bryan O'Gorman is a professional weirdo who has headlined comedy shows in dozens of countries including England, Australia, Germany, Singapore, Switzerland, Croatia, Serbia, Czech Republic and the USA to name nine. This year he plans on playing in every country on earth, plus the moon (if the spaceship he's building works). This past January, Bryan's second album opened at number one on iTunes comedy charts and remained there for several hours. A live performer since childhood, this joke of a man honed his stand up skills in the legendary Toronto comedy scene and has refined them on stages throughout the galaxy. Catch him now before he dies in a feeble attempt to make it to the moon in a homemade rocket. Of his many credits, a few include being featured on MTV, Much Music, The Comedy Network, Sirius-XM Radio, The Edinburgh Fringe Festival,The Melbourne Comedy Festival, Just for Laughs, National Lampoon Radio, the Montreux comedy festival and the CBC.

Crystal Ferrier has performed all over the world from Canada, to New York, to India. The only Indian woman who headlined Kenny Robinson’s Nubian Disciples of Pryor, and opened for Russell Peters, her talent and work ethic is unmatched. See her on Kevin Hart’s LOL network or CTV’s Roast Battle Canada. This actress, comedian, writer and producer is also a proud mother of 2. Crystal’s real-life, raw comedic personality is unforgettable and will captivate anyone who falls in her company.

Efthimios Nasiopoulos, a Toronto native from a blue-collar background, brings a unique blend of humor and insight to the stage. Known for his sharp and often hysterical commentary on human nature, Efthimios has made a name for himself across North America. His performances have graced some of the most notable comedy venues, including Caroline’s On Broadway, JFL Northwest, The Hubcap Comedy Festival, and the Winnipeg Comedy Festival. He has also been featured on CBC’s LOL, showcasing his comedic prowess to a broader audience. In 2017, Efthimios premiered his one-man show, Disengaged, at the Toronto, Vancouver, and Montreal Fringe Festivals. The show received critical acclaim and was nominated for Best English Comedy, further establishing him as a talented and versatile performer in the comedy scene.

After emigrating from Dublin, Ireland to Toronto, Canada in 2012, Fiona began a quest to stamp out the racism that the Irish face … one lucky charm at a time. Fiona quickly established herself by winning over audiences at festivals like Funny Women UK, the Halifax, Boston, and Winnipeg Comedy Festivals. O'Brien is featured on CBC's Laugh Out Loud, Because News, Just For Laughs, and She’s So Funny on Sirius XM, and Yuk Yuks. Opens for Gerry Dee on tour. Her comedy album ‘Magically Malicious’ is now on iTunes and Spotify. After providing the world with three future taxpayers, Fiona decided to dedicate her life to making people laugh with her no restraint, provocative, and unique humour.

Named by Exclaim! Magazine as a quickly rising force in comedy and an “adept comic scene stealer” by The Hollywood Reporter, Jackie Pirico delights audiences with her oddball material and high-energy style. With multiple television tapings under her belt, Jackie’s stand up performances can be seen on Crave, CBC, CTV, and more. You can also catch her as a series regular on CTV’s award winning sitcom Children Ruin Everything. Jackie has released two stand-up albums: Dream Phone (2019) and Splash Pad (2022), the latest of which was nominated for a 2023 JUNO award.

Jennifer Hsiung is the co-anchor of CP24 Breakfast, Toronto's most-watched morning show, airing weekdays from 6-9 am. She also co-hosts CP24 Live at Noon. Since joining CP24 in September 2020, Jennifer has become a key figure in Toronto's news scene. Before returning to Toronto, she spent 10 years in Beijing, working for CGTN, where she covered major global events like the Olympics and G20 Summit. Jennifer is also a stand-up comedian, performing in Toronto and previously on Comedy Central's Stand-Asia!

Kyle Patan is a stand up comedian based out of Toronto, Ontario. He has done the Grindstone Comedy Festival in Edmonton, Just For Laughs Northwest in Vancouver, as well as JFL Toronto. He recently released his debut special and album "Comin' Home" on YouTube. This past year he has been touring all over the country from Victoria to Halifax with his podcast "Battle of the Bands with Kyle and Sam" streaming on all audio platforms.

Martha Chaves is an award-winning comedian, writer, and actor whose career spans over two decades. Now Magazine described her as "smart, sassy, provocative, and very funny." Martha has appeared multiple times at the prestigious Just For Laughs Festival, the Winnipeg Comedy Festival, and the We Are Funny That Way Festival, to name a few.

Natalie Norman is from Toronto, Canada. She has performed at Just ForLaughs Montreal, Just For Laughs Torontoand Winnipeg Comedy Festival. She has recorded sets for CBC, Comedy Network and Just For Laughs Radio.

Rasha Elfeky is a dynamic comedian renowned for her ability to blend humor with cultural commentary. Her comedy often explores themes of identity, family, and societal norms, providing audiences with both laughs and thought-provoking content. Rasha's performances are a reflection of her rich background and experiences, offering a fresh and insightful take on contemporary issues. With her engaging style and relatable anecdotes, Rasha is becoming a prominent voice in the comedy world.

Sam Burns is a comedian, writer and actor from Toronto. He is a graduate of the Humber Comedy program and has been on CBC Connects with Ron James, NXNE Festival, Sirius XM, JFL42 and Just for Laughs Festival in Montreal. Sam Burns is going to be the world's biggest comedian according to a psychic.

Tim Gilbert is a fixture in the Canadian comedy scene who has established himself as one of the country’s most exciting and original comedic voices. Tim is a host and producer of the world-famous Laugh Sabbath series of shows at Comedy Bar and has performed at JFL, JFL42, NXNE, Halifax Pop Explosion and more. As an actor and host he has appeared on CTV Comedy, MTV Canada, Fantasy Sports Network, Vice TV, Crave, and Amazon Prime. His three comedy albums were released to critical acclaim. Tim has been featured in Rolling Stone, Vulture, CBC, and Vice. Vice Magazine once said, “All Tim’s jokes end in bloody messes” and they weren’t wrong!