Check Out Paul Farahvar’s Story

Today we’d like to introduce you to Paul Farahvar.

Hi Paul, please kick things off for us with an introduction to yourself and your story.
I started comedy late in life when I was looking for a release from my job as a trial litigator in Chicago. I took classes at Second City in Chicago and my coaches encouraged me to continue. I love entertaining people and did so even before I was a lawyer, playing live and writing music in multiple bands in Chicago.

After becoming a paid regular at Chicago stand-up clubs like Zanies, Comedy Bar, and Laugh Factory, I was given the rare opportunity to host and produce his own monthly (now weekly) called “Drink Date Laugh” about dating and a comedic game show called “Everyone’s a Lawyer” both at the World Famous Laugh Factory. I also regularly toured the country as a headliner. When I am not headlining, I travel with Dusty Slay and Bret Ernst as their hand-picked feature.

I was runner-up in the Chicago Reader for Best Stand-Up Comedian in 2021 and was voted “Top 40 Up and Coming Comedians” in 2017. When I was a trial litigator, I earned the “Top 40 under 40” honor among judges and my peers in Illinois. I am also the host of the Podcasts SINGLES ONLY! (SWSW 2020, Best Podcast 2021 Chicago Reader) and MAKE US A MIX TAPE (iTunes, Laugh Factory Channel, Stitcher) and was a regular guest host on WGN Radio.

He played “Karam Haddad” on NBC’s “Chicago Med” in 2017.

I’m sure you wouldn’t say it’s been obstacle free, but so far would you say the journey has been a fairly smooth road?
Not really a smooth ride. Especially transitioning from being a lawyer to a full-time comedian. For one thing, different hours. I would be doing shows till midnight and then have to wake up early and get ready for the court at 8 am.

I would have to sometimes leave my show to go back to my office at midnight to do the work I did not get done because I had to leave my office early to get to the show! It was a lot. Then, of course, my parents are still in denial that I am not a lawyer anymore.

As you know, we’re big fans of you and your work. For our readers who might not be as familiar what can you tell them about what you do?
I am a stand-up comedian/podcaster/writer. I am known for my dry humor and my crowd work.

I am most proud of my podcast SINGLES ONLY, which has been running for 7 years, and also proud of the various venues where I am a paid regular including House of Comedy, Zanies, and my home club, the Laugh Factory. I love JPs Comedy Club in Gilbert too where I will be headlining May 4-6.

Can you tell us more about what you were like growing up?
I was shy and reserved. I loved music and tennis and never in a million years did I think I would be a stand-up comedian. I loved watching stand-up comedy with my friends but mostly loved concerts growing up.

I played tennis most of my life but in college, I turned in my tennis racket for a guitar and started playing music in college and law school.

Contact Info:

• Website: www.paulfcomedy.com
• Instagram: @paulfarahvar
• Facebook: www.facebook.com/paulfcomedy
• Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/paulfarahvar/
• Twitter: www.twitter.com/paulfarahvar
• Youtube: www.youtube.com/paulfcomedy
• SoundCloud: www.soundcloud.com/singlesonly