August 24, 2007

Comedian, former Boilermaker Jim Gaffigan to perform at Purdue

Jim Gaffigan
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Purdue's Student Concert Committee is presenting the performance.

"I have so many fond memories from Purdue," Gaffigan said. "Most seem to involve walking. I walked onto the football team and walked away after I didn't like getting my head bashed in. I remember walking to some classes that were, for some reason, at 7 a.m., walking to Hardee's at 11:30 at night, finally buying a bike, and then walking after it fell apart after two days. Go Boilers."

Kerry Schutt Nason, Purdue Convocations director of marketing, said Gaffigan's clever, quiet comedic style has earned him frequent guest appearances on both CBS's "Late Show with David Letterman" and NBC's "Late Night with Conan O'Brien."

"His recent one-hour Comedy Central special, CD and DVD, all titled 'Beyond the Pale,' have catapulted Gaffigan to one of the most popular touring comedians in the country today," Nason said. "His three-month 2007 Comedy Central Live tour sold out 32 of 38 shows in 29 cities with second shows added in nine markets. The DVD for 'Beyond the Pale' was certified platinum, selling more than 100,000 copies, with the CD also selling more than 100,000 copies."

Gaffigan and Conan O'Brien star as animated superheroes in "Pale Force," which Gaffigan co-wrote and for which he provided all the character voices. The second season of "Pale Force" will premiere on Sept. 24 on NBC.com, and Gaffigan will make monthly appearances on "Late Night with Conan O'Brien" to preview new episodes. The first season of "Pale Force" was nominated for a Broadband Emmy and a Webby Award. Gaffigan also is a series regular on the TBS comedy "My Boys," which is currently in its second season.

Gaffigan will be in the forthcoming independent film "The Living Wake" and was in the 2007 film "Stephanie Daley."

His role in "The Great New Wonderful," a film focusing on the aftermath of 9/11, took audiences and critics by surprise as he played an office worker broken by tragedy who ultimately explodes in rage, Schutt Nason said.

Gaffigan's other movie appearances include "Super Troopers," "Igby Goes Down" and "Three Kings." He starred in his own television sitcom, "Welcome to New York," co-starred in "The Ellen Show," has had recurring roles on "That '70s Show" and "Ed," and has had roles on "Sex and the City" and all three incarnations of "Law & Order."

Comedian Rich Brook will be the opening act for the Purdue show.

Tickets are $34 for the general public and $22 for Purdue and Ivy Tech students and those under age 19; prices include a facilities fee.

Writer: Christy Jones, (765) 494-1089, christyjones@purdue.edu

Source: Kerry Schutt Nason, Purdue Convocations director of marketing, (765) 494-5045, knason@purdue.edu

Purdue News Service: (765) 494-2096; purduenews@purdue.edu

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