Jim Labriola’s story is one which many modern-day Americans can easily relate to. Born andraised in Queens, New York, Jim grew up in a household that paid marginal homage to theirancestral religious traditions. As a Roman Catholic, his family believed in God but rarelyattended church. In an interesting twist of fate, Jim stumbled across a bible at a friend’s housearound the age of eight and began to read it. He came across a key passage which revealedthat God is accessible to those who earnestly seek Him in prayer. The revelation affected himdeeply in that moment and impelled him to become steadfast in a daily prayer life, acommitment which he has continued to honor to this very day. During those formative years,his faith was tangible yet lacked the substance necessary to affect a radical, gut-level changeso essential to the Christian walk. Without a guiding force leading him to greater truths, heremained childlike in his faith until later in life.

As a young boy, Jim had a natural flair for comedy which often played out at familygatherings and, like most youth, he chose to explore his passions from the perspective of aworldly mindset. Many kids his age spent their time listening to music, but Jim’s instinct andnatural sense of humor led him to delve deeply in the comedic arts. Routines from legendslike Pat Cooper, George Carlin and personal hero Don Rickles undulated throughout theairwaves surrounding Jim for hours on end. He began earnestly cultivating his God-givendexterity for hilarity by seeking out opportunities to perform anywhere and everywherecomedy was the primary, secondary or tertiary draw, even if it meant driving an hour and ahalf for a five minute slot. As Jim’s gift blossomed, patrons responded and clubs took notice.His burgeoning popularity led to regular gigs in Brooklyn and Manhattan, and eventuallytook him far beyond where he became a favorite in comedy clubs across the nation. In 1989,Jim opened for headliner Tim Allen at Governor’s Comedy Club on Long Island. Thisfortuitous meeting sparked a close friendship and a big boost for Jim’s career when he wasoffered what eventually morphed into a popular recurring role as donut-loving delivery manBenny Baroni on ABC’s hit show Home Improvement. Jim later went on to guest star invarious other network sitcoms and motion pictures including Disney’s huge hit, The SantaClause.

Like most comedians, Jim’s routines in the early days were steeped in adult themes andvulgarity but, lo and behold, the love of a good woman led him to reassess his core valuesand contemplate serious changes for his life. After marrying, Jim rededicated his life toChrist and vowed to clean up his act – quite literally. He eased into his newfound andheartfelt persona by exclusively performing clean comedy at local churches and charityevents. Armed with a renewed and fundamentally transformed purpose, Jim now travels thecountry speaking at business meetings and motivational seminars, and continues to appear ontelevision and in film. Of course, his stand-up routine will always remain a staple of hisrepertoire but, in recent months, Jim has also been gallivanting across the country aboard theTea Party Express alongside such notable figures as former Alaska Governor Sarah Palin andSaturday Night Live’s Victoria Jackson, as well as hordes of Constitutionally Conservativetalk show hosts, political pundits, authors, bloggers and public officials. Despite hisexpanding political activism and unwavering reverence for God, one indispensible factremains true – Jim Labriola is ridiculously funny and never one to pass up the opportunity toelicit laughter when two or more are gathered together.