'Dr. Oz Show' Warm-Up Comic's Triumphant Return To Hometown Roots

LONG ISLAND, NY — Sometimes, you can't go home again. But sometimes you can — in a homecoming more heartfelt and humbling than anything ever imagined, at a grand theater graced by history and timeless memories.

Such is the case for comedian Richie Byrne, as the self-professed "comical son" returns to his roots. Byrne brings his hysterical meld of story-telling and sharp-witted observations to the St. George Theatre on Friday, May 3 at 8 p.m., the first stop on his upcoming "Byrne Doubt" tour. Tickets cost $39 and can be purchased here. Presented by Soul Joel Productions, the show also features comedians Chris Roach and Mike Keegan, and is hosted by Joel Richardson.

(Courtesy Richie Byrne)

A veteran of standup, stage, and screen, Byrne also wows a daily audience as the warmup comedian at "The Dr. Oz Show." His credits feature an impressive string of A-list clubs including Dangerfield's, Caroline's on Broadway, and Gotham Comedy Club in NY, as well as Hilarities in Cleveland, the Ice House in Pasadena, the Borgata in Atlantic City and the Tropicana in both Atlantic City and Las Vegas.

Byrne was honored to perform on the iconic stages of Carnegie Hall and Radio City Music Hall. His standup comedy television credits include Comedy Central, VH1, "The Rosie O'Donnell Show", "Good Day New York" and "Gotham Live" on AXS-TV. He has also brought his warm up talents to "The Rachael Ray Show", "The Chew", "The Jane Pauley Show," and "Murphy Brown" as well as the "Miss America Pageant."

Byrne's passion for acting on both stage and screen have led him to high-profile star turns on "Sex and the City," "The Sopranos," "Law & Order: Criminal Intent," and "Conviction," as well as director and writer Dan Schecter's feature film "Goodbye Baby"; a project for which Byrne also wrote original material and served as a consultant. His original production "The Richie Byrne Show" is a tour de force of sketches and music in the "variety show" style.

A comedian with a heart of gold, Byrne has toured military bases worldwide with "Comics on Duty," and has performed for many charities including "Comedy Cures," which gives back to terminally ill patients and their caregivers. He's brought his hysterical brand of funny to the United Nations, asking the crowd, "Is anyone here from out of town?" He also co-hosts the "Drinks, Jokes & Storytelling" podcast with Mark Riccadonna, and has lent his talents to "Hangin' With Langan," in San Francisco — as well as countless other radio appearances nationwide.

But no matter how far his proverbial star has risen, his success is colored by the longtime bonds with friends new and old he's carried with him along for the ride. In interviews with Patch, Byrne's friends and family echo similar sentiments. He's a true friend, they all agree, a mentor, funny and hardworking. Loyal and kind. The kind of man who's equally at home among some of the top comedians and stars in the business and the brotherhood of friends he's shared laughs with since birth.

That's why his upcoming performance at the St. George Theatre, with an audience packed with supporters new and old, has such meaning.

(Courtesy Richie Byrne)

Byrne's ties to his birthplace run deep: He was honored with an award by the Minty Organization for the Performing Arts on Staten Island in January, and last summer, he received a Fellow Alumni Award from Wagner College, which sports one of the most prestigious theater programs in the country.

"These are my roots, my memories — my hopes and dreams in show business began here," Byrne said. "When I was starting out, I ran an open mic every Thursday at Harbor Lights on Bay Street. Now I'm at the St. George Theatre. That's overwhelming — and humbling."

Byrne, who recently wowed a large crowd at a standing-room only show on the North Fork , took a trip back to the streets of Staten Island recently. Coming home to Staten Island is an emotional journey: Byrne, one of four sons, lost his father three-and-a-half years ago, and the memories echo with every step.

From his earliest days, Byrne said he had his sights set on the stage. "When I was a kid watching sitcoms, I thought, 'That's where I want to be.' But I didn't have any clue of how you did that."
"When he was very young, he was always a class clown in grammar school," Byrne's mother Johanna said. "The nuns back then seemed to enjoy him. He really didn't get in trouble — they had a fondness for him. That saved him," she said, laughing.

At Staten Island's Monsignor Farrell High School, Byrne auditioned for "Guys and Dolls;" despite being nervous. He got a callback — and forged what would become a lifelong friendship with Bob Herbert, who cast him in his first-ever role.

From the beginning, those who supported Byrne saw talent, even at just 15. "There was a spark about him that nobody else had," Herbert said.

The show signified the beginning of an ascent to success that sent Byrne from the streets of Staten Island to the set of "The Dr. Oz Show," with a wide array of performances ranging from theater to comedy along the way.

(Courtesy Richie Byrne)

Richie's brother Ken said he knew early on what career path he was destined to follow. "When he was young, people asked, 'What do you want to be when you grow up?' His standard answer was, 'I want to be a lawyer.' I could tell after the first couple of times that he was just saying that — but when you're 10, 11, 12 years old, what are you supposed to say?" Then, Ken said, he saw his big brother in a production of "Jesus Christ Superstar" and thought, "Wow! You could tell he was meant to be onstage and perform." From then on, performing was his brother's end-all goal. "I don't think there was a Plan B."

Highlights of his Staten Island shows included "Jesus Christ Superstar," where he met lifelong friend Charlie Sullivan.

Sullivan, who was older and a role model for Byrne, attended Yale for drama and became a Wall Street attorney. Byrne remembers gaining confidence from their talks and Sullivan's belief in his talent.

Today, the bond remains strong.

Sullivan was instrumental in getting Byrne a job at the TKTS booth in Times Square — an experience that opened Byrne's eyes to the opportunities that abounded in New York theater, a ferry ride from Staten Island.

"That job got Richie into Manhattan," Sullivan said. "It got him seeing a lot of shows. For Richie, it was really a way to connect with professional theater. We Staten Island boys didn't get into the habit of being in Manhattan all the time. It opened him up to a whole new world."

Years later, Sullivan directed "The Richie Byrne Show," and the lives of the two friends again interconnected.

Sullivan said most comedians are fueled "by the desperate need for people's approval. Richie was always, even as a very young kid, very, very determined and very hardworking. Successful lawyers, doctors, businessmen, athletes, one of the things they share is they are constantly working at improving and looking to hone their skills. It's a relentless search and Richie always had that sort of energy."

Reflecting back on his high school years, Byrne recalls one show where he ad libbed, eliciting laughter from the cast and crew. "They let me keep it in. It was my first bit, ever," Byrne said. Knowing he had the ability to make people laugh, "was such a rush. It gave me confidence."
As a senior, Byrne auditioned for a musical revue at Notre Dame Academy, directed by Michael Portantiere, a fellow Wagner alumnus and friend. Portantiere gave him the chance to sing numerous songs in the review including "High Flying Adored," which became an audition staple for Byrne for years. Because of that resolute belief in his talent, Byrne said he blossomed. "That just opened up my world. I saw myself through somebody else's eyes."

Each stepping stone held a lesson: Even doing the comedic part of a eunuch in "A Funny Thing Happened On the Way to the Forum", where he had no lines, Byrne said, "I learned a lot about presentation. Using your voice isn't the only way to get a laugh."

The young actor's high school years were marked by a plethora of stand-out performances.
"That was an amazing time. I was leaving my house at 6:30 a.m. in the morning and not getting home until 11:30 p.m. at night," Byrne said. "I couldn't have been happier."

Two memorable moments included time spent on stage with his brothers; one being "From Out the Darkness," an original rock opera written and starring older brother Joe, the other, "Carousel," where younger sibling Ken played his son.

Soon, Byrne was surrounded by a group of talented friends; he was part of that inner circle of performers — a path that led Byrne to the esteemed drama program at Wagner College.

(Richie Byrne)

At Wagner, Byrne began sowing the seeds of his theatrical legacy in shows such as "Hair," "How to Succeed in Business Without Really Trying" "West Side Story," "Pirates of Penzance," "Oklahoma," and "A Midsummer Night's Dream," where he won the plum role of Nick Bottom. Despite his self-doubts about tackling the Bard, another actor and mentor Drew Harris offered life-altering words of wisdom: "You're not Bottom. You're playing Hamlet, the hardest role ever written and you are the only one in the world that can play it.' That changed everything."

Byrne added: "I took that lesson into my professional comedy career. You have to be Hamlet to do stand-up. You have to have that ego."

Meeting with Byrne at Wagner College recently, Gary Sullivan, professor and Director of Arts Administration in the Theatre and Speech Department, said Byrne's path was interesting, veering from acting on the stage to taking a comedic turn. "You kept going toward comedy. You were kind of absorbing it all."

(Courtesy Richie Byrne)

Byrne said much of his comedy training was born at college parties, where he entertained a delighted crowd.

"I remember people were always hoping you'd get up on your feet," Sullivan said. "If Richie Byrne wasn't there to entertain, maybe it wasn't a party. You had more of this in your DNA maybe then you realized."

(Courtesy Richie Byrne)

But that sense humor wasn't always a positive. Byrne recalls going into Sullivan's office, because he was failing the professor's stage lighting class. "He said, 'You're not always going to get through life on your good looks and charm.'" To which Byrne retorted, "You really think I'm good looking?" Sullivan responded with, "Get the hell out of my office!'" Byrne laughed.

Wagner College alumnus and press representative Charlie Siedenburg, said, of Byrne, "He's a mensch. He's hilarious. He's just the best and he really gives back — he's got such a big heart."
Seeing Byrne's show at the St. George, Siedenburg said, symbolizes "that local boy makes good, coming back to what's probably the largest venue on Staten Island. It's kind of like, 'This is your life, Richie Byrne.'"

Eventually, as college wound down, Byrne began auditioning in Manhattan, the ferry ride symbolizing a bridge between a blue collar world and the bright lights of Broadway.
Byrne's first paying gig was at Timbers Dinner Theater in Pennsylvania.

"That was a great summer. But when I came back in the fall, reality set in. I had nothing, and that was scary. That's what actors go through. A few years later, I think that's what drove me into comedy. You can always work as a comic, if you're any good – you're not always going to work as an actor."

Late in 1985, Byrne went on tour, criss-crossing Rhode Island with an original show and ensemble cast. "None for the Road," which warned teens about the dangers of drinking and driving through music and humor, was created by Ken Berman. "My life changed forever once I met Ken," Byrne said. "He challenged me to explore new facets of my talent — and that gave me the confidence to open the door to stand-up."

When asked why the people who helped guide his early career still mean so much, Byrne answered without hesitation: "They're the ones I trust. They shaped me — and I hope I shaped them in some way."

(Courtesy Richie Byrne)

Byrne, who spent a recent afternoon on Staten Island, visiting his alma mater Wagner College, sharing a clam pie at Lee's Tavern and paying a visit to lifetime friend Kevin Meurer at his bar West Cork Union Hall, makes sure to maintain ties with the integral people on his life's canvas.
Meurer and Byrne reminisced about how they'd met in kindergarten, and laughed about stories from the past. Meurer is even hosting Byrne's post-St. George Theatre gathering at his bar.

(Courtesy Richie Byrne)

When asked if there was a time while growing up that Meurer realized that Byrne would pursue a career in comedy, he answered, dead-pan, "No." Then, he added, "I was actually always funnier than him," which sent Byrne howling with laughter.

(Richie Byrne)

"It's great to be around those people," Byrne said, adding that when longtime acquaintances talk about his success or sing his praises, he's often uncomfortable. "I don't think of it as anything more than, 'This is my job.' In a lot of ways, when they talk about my success, it always surprises me, because that's not what I think I am. I'm not Billy Crystal. I'm not Jerry Seinfeld. . . People pay money to go out for one night to see a comedy show that just happens to be me. It's my job to make sure they have a good time and get their money's worth."

Despite packed houses and a devoted following, the doubts of a standup fuel every show. Finding success in comedy came as a surprise to Byrne, who had always imagined a career in acting.
It took some time before he was able to learn to ad lib, critical to his current success in warmup.
Byrne soon found himself inspired by comedians who became mentors — a mantle he's now happily embraced with the young comics he's taken under his proverbial wing.

The first time he met Joey Kola, the "granddaddy of warmup" and a comedian who has been a mentor and inspiration, Byrne thought, "I want to be like this guy, both on and off the stage.'"
His future in comedy was shaped by lessons learned on Staten Island streets. "I learned how to fake being tough enough to go onstage."

His humor comes straight from the heart of his family — resonating with crowds who hear stories of their own mothers, fathers and siblings in every joke. "It's real," Byrne said. "People can relate to it. When I'm talking about my family everyone thinks I'm talking about theirs.""

Byrne booked his first open mic gig on Long Island in 1987 at the East Side Comedy Club, which the Daily News dubbed "a breeding ground"for hot new talent. Stars including Ray Romano, Eddie Murphy, Kevin James, and Rosie O'Donnell honed their comedy chops on the Huntington stage.

"I did five minutes of material in 45 seconds. I was so nervous," Byrne said.

After that, he began "banging around New York City," finding open mic nights wherever he could. An event in 1988 changed his future: Byrne entered, and won, The Funniest Person On Staten Island" contest at Stand Up NY.

Ironically, Byrne said, one of the prizes was two tickets to "Late Night With David Letterman," which was taped in the same studio where the "The Dr. Oz Show" was filmed for the first five years.

Soon after winning the contest, Byrne kicked off his own open mic night at Harbor Lights on Staten Island, hosted by ventriloquist Pete Michaels — who got Byrne his first paid comedy gig — with comics taking the ferry from the city to perform. "We were bringing in the best open mic talent at the time. It was hard and it helped me grow a lot because I was closing out every show and I had to write new material every week."

The comedy scene was exploding in the 80s in New York, with raw talent emerging. Byrne said certain clubs gave comics stage time dependent upon the number of tickets they sold. Clubs including the Eagle Tavern saw one-day big names come through its doors.

The years were a flurry of meeting other comics, and finding your place on the bill in clubs such as Rascals in New Jersey. Most Tuesdays Byrne could be seen doing double duty at Rascals, hosting the open mic at the bar and also performing in the main room.

Eventually, Byrne began working at clubs including Dangerfield's. "I was working a lot, just getting stronger and stronger," he said. In one year, he performed for 78 college audiences.
"Whoever came up with that saying, 'That which does not kill you, makes you stronger' was a comic," Byrne said.

He's got war stories: Over the years, he's gotten booed, had an ashtray thrown at his head, been threatened with a gun, just to name a few.

Like many comedians Byrne found himself grappling with a lack of confidence, which he said only made him better. "The day I don't have insecurity is the day I won't be a comic. I moved ahead in spite of me."

(Courtesy Richie Byrne)

Byrne realized a dream when he appeared on "The Rosie O'Donnell Show." "I never for a minute believed that I was really going to be on that show,'" he said. "Joey Kola was the person who pushed the tape forward. One day, a car picked me up and brought me to Rosie's studio where I got to perform my act in front of a national television audience. Later that night, I performed in an original Off Broadway musical. That was about as close to perfect a day as I've ever had."
But the business ebbs and flows. "There were times when I felt people were playing the game on the field and I wasn't even in the stadium," he said.

And then came a new opportunity, the chance to perform warmup, a gig that's shaped Byrne's life for the past decade.

"Joey Kola became famous for doing warmup for Rosie O'Donnell; he took warmup to another level on that show and she wanted it that way. She wanted a show within a show," Byrne said. "When I saw firsthand what he was doing, it was astounding to me."

Kola later did warmup for "The Jane Pauley Show." At one point, he needed to take time off and asked Byrne to take the reins and do the show for a week.

"That was very tough," Byrne said. "I had a lot of trepidation." But it was the beginning of his next chapter.

When Kola was offered the opportunity to do warmup for a new project, "The Dr. Oz Show," he had other professional commitments to Martha Stewart and was asked to recommend someone.
"My cell phone rang and it was Joey Kola screaming, 'Your ship has come in! Your ship has come in!'"

And so began an experience that has sent Byrne soaring to new career heights, delighting scores of audience members each week for 10 seasons with his hilarious warmup act. During a recent visit to the "Dr. Oz" set, Patch was able to see Byrne in action, revving the crowd up with his infectious humor, riffing on kale and Dr. Oz's snazzy suits, endearing himself to seniors and Kean University students alike. A man in his element, his timing spot on, orchestrating the applause and creating memories for audience members with an innate warmth and engaging wit.

What evolved over a decade was a bond far deeper than that between a TV show host and his warmup talent. Dr. Mehmet Oz and Byrne forged a close friendship. "He became so much more than just a guy on the show," Byrne said. "Just a few weeks in to Season 1 my dad had a heart attack. Doc got him into New York-Presbyterian Hospital and saved his life. How can I ever repay him?"

Byrne, in turn, has left a forever legacy on the "Dr. Oz" set. When he was honored recently by the Wagner College Alumni Association with a Fellows Award, Dr. Oz paid tribute to him in a video.

Seth Mellman, who works in production at "The Dr. Oz Show," discussed Byrne's bond with Oz. "He has a real connection with Dr. Oz, which is great. He's the only guy there who can realistically pick on Dr. Oz and get away with it. He can do it because they have such a good relationship, and it's really nice."

(Courtesy Richie Byrne)

Warmup, Mellman said, is a much harder job than people imagine. "In a sense you're up there and you're on your own. Whatever your routine is, whether you're a stand up comic or a warmup, you're trying to get the crowd pumped up. Some are successful, some aren't — it depends on knowing your audience and knowing what they are going to respond to. Richie knows our audience."

Kola also reflected on Byrne's natural talent at warmup. "I saw in Richie a real potential to have a connection to people. He's got a real likability about him that the audience sees right away — that's why he has been so successful."

He added: "When you do standup it's your house. When you do warmup, it's the host's house. You need a comedian who will be funny but can put ego aside."

Byrne, Kola added, learned at a young age to sing and dance. "Physically dance, and also dance in front of a crowd to survive. He survives the dance. Richie has a unique quality, to be able to walk into a room and within seconds evaluate the tone of an audience."

Byrne also forms a solid connection with celebrity guests as well as the crowd, Kola said. "He's an everyman."

During the last year, Byrne's career has picked up new steam. Down the line, he'd like to get back to his theater roots and explore other on-camera opportunities, as well as re-staging "The Richie Byrne Show" for new audiences.

New projects include "The Byrne Doubt Tour," the "Drinks, Jokes and Storytelling" podcast, and a special filmed last August at the Valley Forge Casino.

Byrne's manager Joel Richardson, also a Wagner alumnus, said the May 3 show is going to feel like a grand event.

Throughout their collaboration, Byrne, Richardson said, has shared insight: "He's taught me that this is definitely a marathon and not a sprint."

Comedians Mike Keegan and Chris Roach also share the bill with Byrne at the St. George. Byrne, Keegan said, "is a great guy. He's helped me so much. Almost everything I've done in comedy is because of him. He's got such a great reputation in the business. Billy Gardell of 'Mike and Molly' told me, 'Richie Byrne is the best. He helped me when I was starting out.'"

Added Roach, whose credits include "Kevin Can Wait": "With Richie, the person you see on stage is the person you get off stage. He's just a genuinely good guy. We instantly clicked."

Family and friends say Byrne, who lives on Long Island with his wife Cindy, hasn't been changed by career success.

Saranne Rothberg, CEO of the Comedy Cures Foundation, agreed. "Richie has a very relatable humor, a larger than life energy."

At one of Rothberg's shows, a man came up to Byrne. "'You're hilarious, man. That's the first time I've laughed since I found out I was going to die.'" The words struck a forever chord.

Karen Kalreiss, who met Byrne in a production of "Runaways," and later went to college with him, recalled nights of laughter while in the car on the road driving him to gigs. No matter how fun-loving her longtime friend has always been, Kalreiss said he's always kept his mind laser focused on the career end goal.

"Nothing can change how I feel about him. He's one of those people I know is always going to treat me the same way. His friendship is reliable," she said.

Mark Buneo, Byrne's friend since Monsignor Farrell High School on Staten Island, both acted with Byrne and worked for his father in the family commercial laundry business.

Byrne's father had a great sense of humor, Buneo said. "He was dry, funny. I think a lot of what Richie has comes from his dad." The Byrne family, including aunts and uncles, were just "hilarious, down to earth people, born and raised on Staten Island. He's managed to hold on to that through the years. He is very humble about this."

The bond runs deep. "After my own brother, he's the closest thing to a brother to me," Buneo said.
When Byrne takes the stage on May 3, Buneo has a message for his lifetime friend: "You've done this for years, and these people are here for you. I've seen you 20, 30 times, and I've never seen you have a bad night. Being funny is not hard for you. Now go have some fun and enjoy it with the people you know, in your hometown. It's going to be great."

Reflecting on Byrne's success, Adele Gullery Dunn, still friends with Byrne after 40 years, said, "Not everybody gets to make a career out of what they love. I think it's awesome."

Mike Veasey, who's known Byrne since their Farrell days, said what's propelled Byrne to success, is the "one thing you can't learn in acting school, and that's charisma."He's coming home a star."
Doug Wilson, interior designer and star of the TV show "Trading Spaces," met Byrne while both were performing in Berman's "None for the Road."

"My first show with Richie, he was used to guys who were maybe pushovers. We were in a locker room and I just punched him right in the arm — and he burst out laughing. He said no one on the show had ever done that. We were used to giving each other a hard time but we also became like brothers and we have retained that love, that friendship, for 30 years. If I died tomorrow he would be a pallbearer."

Byrne's deep-seated values were born at home with his big family on Staten Island.

His mom Johanna Byrne said she and her husband Joe applauded his success from the beginning. "Joe and I went wherever he was," she said.

His mother keeps a scrapbook filled with playbills, photographs and memories of her son's journey. She said she'd never have imagined her son would become a comedian adored by so many. "He's still Richie to me. He's still my son."

(Courtesy Richie Byrne)
Reflecting on the upcoming performance at the St. George Theatre, a glorious space where she took her boys, including her youngest son Jonathan, as children, Johanna said, "Big people are always there. Big names. I'm very proud."

Laughter has always been the hallmark of the Byrne home, Johanna said. "My husband had the greatest sense of humor in the world. We were married 55 years and the glue of our marriage was laughter."

If he were there to see his son take the St. George stage, Johanna said her Joe would be beaming with pride. "He wouldn't come out and say too much but the look on his face would be priceless."

Friends say Byrne has been shaped by his family's values. When asked the reason why the comedian has stayed close to his roots, "None for the Road" creator Berman said: "It's simple. Joe and Johanna Byrne. If you had known Joe — he had so much empathy, he was so amazingly bright. I don't make friends easily but I trusted Joe Byrne completely. And of course, he passed that along to his son."

When asked why the show is a milestone in a success-studded journey, Byrne said simply, "I'm going home."

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