Hidden Gems: Meet Brad Zinn of Brad Zinn Entertainment Enterprises

Today we’d like to introduce you to Brad Zinn.

Hi Brad, please kick things off for us with an introduction to yourself and your story.
Comedy impressionist Brad Zinn is one of the most sought-after entertainers in his field. Brad’s extensive background in acting, stand-up comedy, impressions, and magic makes his performance a cut above the average entertainer. Brad adds elements of storytelling, music, and vocals to make his act absolutely unique. Starting in Children’s Little Theater in Phoenix when he was 5 years old, he spent his youth performing in theatrical plays in grade school, community theater, and high school. He was also part of a performing group of young people culminating in their own local TV special.

Turning professional full-time in 1975, Brad Zinn pursued acting and magic careers simultaneously for the next twenty years. He has appeared in six films and hundreds of local and national television and radio commercials. His most recent video project is a six-part web series, “In Zane’s Class.” Brad is regularly engaged by major cruise lines, fundraising organizations, hotels, and corporate meeting planners across the United States and Canada as a comedian, impressionist, magician, and as Master of Ceremonies. In December 1995 he appeared at the exclusive Casa De Campo Resort in the Dominican Republic and headlined with the Phoenix Symphony Orchestra to a sold-out house. Brad was honored by the City of Phoenix to be the first magician to appear at the city’s newly refurbished Orpheum Theatre. He returned there in October 2002 to present his show “The Great Comedians” to a standing-room-only house. In October 2003, he headlined at the historic Fox Theatre in Visalia, California. Brad has also performed his show on Holland America, Radisson, Orient, and Norwegian Cruise Lines. In November 2003, Brad performed at the world-famous London Palladium on a Gala Variety Program.

In 2008 he returned to Las Vegas to appear at the SunCoast Resort and Casino. And in 2017 he headlined the 5th Anniversary Celebration of the Sapphire Comedy Spot in Las Vegas. In 2014, Brad Zinn was chosen to headline two important gatherings in Vincennes, Indiana, Red Skelton’s birthplace and hometown. First, “The Great Comedians” was the featured closing night entertainment for the Association for Applied and Therapeutic Humor National Convention (aath.org) on the campus of Vincennes University. Two months later, “The Great Comedians” was the featured closing night entertainment for the Official Red Skelton Festival in Vincennes. Both of these engagements took place at the beautiful Red Skelton Performing Arts Center. Brad has performed alongside many celebrities, including Dick Van Dyke, Shirley Jones, Cliff Robertson, Paul Rodriguez, Damon Wayans, Richard Crenna, Will Shriner, Diana Canova, Margaret O’Brien, Rich Little, Justin Wilson (the Cajun Chef), Harry Anderson, and Lynda Carter, among others. Brad Zinn is also recognized as a media consultant for advertisers, industrial accounts, and other performers. His work has been published in various trade periodicals and he is currently writing his first
a major book on the entertainment industry.

Brad, a performing member of Hollywood’s prestigious Magic Castle, boasts appearances on the Las Vegas “strip” as well. His experiences include video production, event production, advertising campaigns, and lyric writing, and you may recognize his voice from the hundreds of radio and television commercials he has recorded. Brad also hosted his own cable talk show, “The New Variety Arts” for two years. This show resulted in a full-page spread in the Arizona Republic newspaper. Brad’s accomplishments have been acknowledged in Marquis’ “Who’s Who In Entertainment,” “Who’s Who In The World,” and “International Men of Achievement.” Brad is a member of the International Brotherhood of Magicians, the Society of American Magicians, the Hollywood Magic Castle, the Screen Actor’s Guild, the American Federation of Radio and Television Artists, and other professional organizations.

Order of Merlin, Excalibur, I.B.M. (2022)
Past President, Past Vice-President, Past Secretary-Treasurer I.B.M. Ring 55
Past I.B.M. Territorial Vice-President
Past Vice-President, S.A.M. Assembly 248
Charter Member S.A.M. Assembly 177
Charter Member S.A.M. Assembly 248
Charter Member I.B.M. Ring 356
I.B.M. Ring 55 Close-up Magician of the Year, 1976
I.B.M. Ring 55, S.A.M. Assembly 248, Magician Of The Year, 2000
S.A.M. Assembly 248 Lifetime Achievement Award, 2016

Brad is currently involved in a diverse array of activities. In addition to performing his comedy impressions, magic, emceeing for major functions, and keeping his hand in video production, he has studied bel-canto voice for over a dozen years and is adding singing as a high lyric baritone to his list of credits. Comedian impressionist Brad Zinn’s “The Great Comedians” one-man play pays homage to his childhood idols in show business and the presentation has called upon all his diverse skills to prepare and present. Brad Zinn is a versatile and seasoned entertainer who continues to find new ways to present his talents.

Would you say it’s been a smooth road, and if not what are some of the biggest challenges you’ve faced along the way?
As a young man getting started it was difficult to get folks to take me seriously. As a young teenager, I had a business card printed up with my name, address, and phone number, but listed my talents as; M.C. Actor, Magician, Comedian, Impressionist, and Ventriloquist. I legitimately did each of these talents in many performances, but when I handed this card to adults, they would simply laugh. I still do all of these things except ventriloquism because I lost that ability when puberty hit and my voice changed. My argument was always that nobody laughed at Sammy Davis, Jr. who sang, danced, played musical instruments, did impressions, and could act in both comedies and serious dramas. He was my inspiration.

Now that one would think I have proven myself, I find that you must prove yourself each and every day. There’s an old saying: “You’re only as good as your last show.” ‘Tis very true!

Great, so let’s talk business. Can you tell our readers more about what you do and what you think sets you apart from others?
Founded on June 6th, 1975 we are now in our 47th year. Within one year of starting my wife and I had appeared on the Las Vegas Strip twice. Returning from Las Vegas we acquired several booking agents in the Phoenix area and we began to work many corporate events. In order to find a place to “break in” material, we found that school assemblies were perfect for us. No corporate group generally wanted a magician Monday thru Friday between 8:00 am and 4:00 pm! So, schools gave us the chance to rehearse, break in new material, and get paid for it at the same time. We worked in schools for 14 years and entertained over 300,000 elementary and high school students from 1978 to 1992. We have also performed our full evening magic show from 1979 to 1992, and we have raised over 1/2 million dollars for various worthwhile charities.

In the course of all of this we have offered our services as show producers and booking agents resulting in getting work for many, many other various artists such as; clowns, mimes, jugglers, stilt walkers, caricaturists, psychic readers, face painters, balloon twisters, other magicians, and various musical artists, and circus performers, among others. Our value-added proposition is simple; for your next complete event entertainment, we offer one call, one contract, one check convenience!

In 2000 I launched a new one-man show; “The Great Comedians, Those Felt Hat and Big Cigar Funny Men.” This show has taken us around the world, paying tribute to the greatest comedians of the 20th Century including George Burns, Jack Benny, Johnny Carson, and Red Skelton, among others.

Are there any apps, books, podcasts, blogs, or other resources you think our readers should check out?
High Visibility: Transforming Your Personal and Professional Brand is a terrific book that I highly recommend to anyone seeking to achieve success in the realm of show business. Also, “The Impostor Syndrome” is necessary to get over feeling like you don’t deserve your success.

Contact Info:

• Website: www.bradzinn.net
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/GreatComedians/
• Twitter: @comedianbrad
• Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@comedianbrad
• Other: www.greatcomedians.net

Image Credits
BZEE (2020)