One of the most frequent questions I get on social media—whether it’s on YouTube, Twitter, or in person—is some version of:
“When is it too late to start a career in comedy?”
Every time I see it, I take a deep breath. Not because it’s a dramatic moment, but because, hey—breathing exercises are good for you. (Also, it makes me feel like I’m about to deliver a big, cinematic monologue… cue the dramatic FedEx commercial flashback.)
Remember that old ad with the two office guys sweating over a missed delivery? One turns to the other and goes, “We’re doomed.” The other echoes: “Doomed!” It always cracked me up. But it also got me thinking—if your entire operation can collapse because a couple of packages show up late, maybe your business model needs a serious update.
And that’s the perfect lens for tackling this question: Is it ever too late to get into comedy?
I covered this in one of my videos titled “Ageism in Comedy is No Joke”—but I want to take it further, with a fresh spin.
So here’s my honest answer:
It’s never too late. Not in comedy. Not even close.
I’m being dead serious. Start whenever you want. Any. Time.
Here’s the core requirement in comedy:
Make people laugh.
That’s it. Not once. Not twice. But consistently.
Sure, not every joke is going to hit. (Let’s be real, even Saturday Night Live has entire episodes that feel like they were written on the subway ride over.) But if you’re aiming to enter the comedy world—step one is simply getting laughs.
But if your question is really about thriving in the entertainment industry—building a career, making a living, gaining traction—then we’re stepping into different territory. Comedy is just one part of it.
Here’s the full truth:
You Have to Be Able to Sell Soap.
Once you’ve nailed the funny part, once you’ve proven to yourself and others that you can land laughs reliably, you face two more essential tasks—tasks most comics don’t even think about when starting out.
First, you have to build an audience.
It’s not just about making people laugh—it’s about giving them a reason to choose you out of a sea of distractions. You need to make them want to stop scrolling, stop channel surfing, and engage with what you are doing.
Second, you have to sell soap.
What do I mean? I mean, you have to bring in viewers, listeners, and followers who advertisers want to reach—because in this business, the “show” doesn’t survive without the “business.” And that business runs on advertising. On selling products. On, well… soap.
It sounds weird, but it’s the truth of the entertainment industry: if you’re not helping someone sell something (a product, a ticket, an idea), you’re not a viable part of the ecosystem. So yes—your comedy eventually has to help sell soap.
But Here’s the Best News:
Today, you have all the tools in your pocket. Literally. If you’re reading this on your phone, you’ve already got access to a global audience, a recording studio, and a broadcast platform—all in your hand.
It’s time to rethink what “getting into comedy” even means.
People often think it’s all about slamming through open mics five nights a week—waiting hours to do five minutes on stage between weed jokes and three versions of the same Tinder story. And let’s be honest: if you’re over 40, that grind doesn’t exactly sound like a dream scenario.
But performing at the Improv or the Comedy Store isn’t the only road.
In fact, it’s just one lane on a giant comedy freeway.
There are tons of other places where comedy is not just wanted—it’s in high demand. Colleges, cruise ships, corporate events, associations like the Rotary or Optimists, trade shows, conventions, school assemblies, book launches, private gigs, grad nights, senior communities, and more.
Many of these audiences prefer experienced performers. Maturity is a plus. Life experience gives you a built-in voice and insight that younger comics are still years away from developing.
There are far too many niches and untapped opportunities to list here—but I break them down in my course “How to Be the Richest Comedian Nobody’s Ever Heard Of.”
Comedy Has No Age Limit
Let me be clear: there is no expiration date on starting in comedy. You can launch at 25, 45, 65—even 75.
More importantly, you can find and grow your audience at any age. All it takes is consistency and a willingness to do the work.
And no, you don’t need to be a tech wizard to make it happen.
Take Charlie Berens, for example. One of my students. He’s only been doing comedy a handful of years, but he’s built a fiercely loyal following through YouTube. His Manitowoc Minute series took off like wildfire.
He sold out the 280-seat main room at Flappers Comedy Club—at 4 PM on a Saturday. Who even does that? Not a fluke. That’s building an audience and serving them what they love.
At the time of this writing, Charlie’s sitting on over 217,000 YouTube subscribers—and growing fast. He’s been landing traditional media appearances left and right, and I wouldn’t be surprised to see him headline a Netflix special or star in a sitcom very soon.
Now maybe you’re thinking, “Yeah, okay, but he’s young.”
Fair. But then let me introduce you to Cowboy Kent Rollins, another YouTuber. His first big video? A tutorial on how to make cowboy coffee. Simple enough. Now? Over 2 million subscribers.
The man’s cooking steaks and telling cowboy stories—and people are loving it.
What do both Charlie and Kent have in common?
They’ve built strong, well-defined personas—and that is gold in comedy. A clear persona helps your audience recognize you instantly, relate to you deeply, and most importantly, remember you.
And That Persona Is Your Superpower.
There’s fascinating psychology behind this—how a polished comedic persona creates deeper audience connection. I won’t go into the science here, but I’ll just say: it works. Really well.
Jeff Foxworthy is a great example. His “You might be a redneck” brand helped him become the highest-selling stand-up comedian in terms of album sales—CDs, DVDs, you name it.
Because audiences knew exactly who he was, and they loved him for it.
The same can happen for you. With the right persona, the right platform, and the right level of commitment, you can build a focused, loyal audience—no matter your age, and no matter when you start.
And those loyal audiences? They buy tickets. They stream your videos. They show up. And yep, they buy soap.
