Although Jack Fontana started out as a musician and singer, he doesn’t think he will ever go back to it again. He’s been on tour with Fabian, Bobby Darren, Connie Francis, Frankie Avalon and other stars, plus a 10-piece band in three buses. The grind of the one-nighters, the setting up and taking down of all the equipment, plus the constant break down of the buses, finally got to him. While doing his drum solo, he would tell stories, make funny faces and tell jokes. He would get a good reaction from the audience so he decided to put a routine together and be a stand up comic. He started out by driving buses of senior citizens on weekends to the Catskills and then change into a tux, do his comedy routine, change again and drive the bus back. No one on any of his buses ever caught on.
He was born and raised in Brooklyn, but moved to Long Island after his first child was born so he could raise his kids in the country.
He and his wife Lydia have been married for over 29 years. She has been his staunch supporter and #1 fan since the beginning. No matter what time he gets home from a job, they’re usually awake by mid-morning, having breakfast, fielding calls from his agent, etc., checking upcoming jobs, calling his kids, visiting his grandchildren, fixing broken locks, repairing dripping faucets, mowing the lawn, etc., just like any suburban homeowner.
He has had many thrills in his life, but one of his biggest was opening for Buddy Rich - his idol.
Jack is very happy doing his comedy routine, interacting with the audience, doing impressions and twisting his face to look like famous people. Once in awhile, if the conditions are right and if the audience twists his arm, he will do a drum solo just to keep his hand in it. He avoids vulgarity and has no place for ethnic slurs, denigration or dirt in his act. He likes to see people laugh and have a good time and he’s happy to bring that to them. Most of his material comes from events that have happened in his life.
He’s had a few bit parts in movies, and he is looking forward to expanding in the movie industry and hopes to land some TV commercials.
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Jack Fontana