It takes lucky timing, an engaging genetic recipe, and focused cunning to become a comic who tours the world in just 6 years of performing. German born comedian Mario Adrion, who will be appearing at The San Jose Improv on July 1st-3rd, is a triple-thick smart chunk of Black Forest cake.
Adrion began his ascent into fame and entertainment through male modeling. It’s difficult to see the connection between the two, because stand-up comedy is born of ugly people with nothing but their jokes to get noticed. Adrion’s underwear career on the catwalk catapulted him around the globe with great acclaim.
He posed and strutted for Tommy Hilfiger, Calvin Klein, Gucci, Puma, and walked the runways in NYC and Milan. He was young, and vulnerable, and taken advantage of sexually.
Luckily, Adrion used YouTube as a way to Vlog, document his life, and process the trauma of his modeling career. He soon found a rabid fanbase that liked his humor, pecs, perspective and daily thoughts. Depending on the platform, Adrion attracts between one and four million followers.
Being savvy enough with tech, Adrion found a way out of being “sexualized”. Adrion left male modeling in the dust and pivoted to being a full-time, successful, online personality. Then in 2006 he pivoted again, this time towards his true passion, besides engineering, stand-up comedy.
“I started in the pandemic,” says Adrion somewhere in New York City. “I started in 2020 and then everything shut down right after. I did like 2 open mics.
In Los Angles, I’d go to open mics at 11 a.m. Paying $5 to do 5 minutes of material. And, nobody’s listening. In 2021, I was in Florida and things were more open there,” says Adrion.
Adrion began performing with more established comics and asking them if he could open for them on the road. Using his modeling money, he paid for a graduate school level eduction in comedy.
“If somebody said, ‘Hey, you can feature for me in Broadway, North Carolina,’ I would fly myself there, put myself up in a hotel, and get paid $150 per show. I would lose money. I would lose $1,000 a weekend. But it meant that I could do six shows opening for somebody on a weekend. And that’s how I got better at comedy until I started headlining my own shows,” says Adrion.
Being able to see America through the lens of a German, an outsider, Adrion has a fresh take on the world at large. He also uses his platform to highlight stereotypes, and hopefully transcend ancient paradigms.
“It’s easy to make fun of America. But I also want to celebrate things about America. When people come here for the World Cup, and actually meet Americans, they see it’s not like the media portrays them,” says Adrion.
But headlining around the world? That’s not something 99% of comics achieve. What was Adrion’s advantage, besides prime muscle?
“I’m regimented in comedy, and my social media, because I had started to become an engineer. I applied some of the German efficiency to my comedy. I write every morning. Every time I did an open mic set, I would record it and listen to the tape. Notice where people weren’t laughing as much, or what worked. Every show,” Adrion reveals.
For all comedians, the road can be lonely. Adrion made another smart move by touring with friends.
“One of my best friends is Adam Fynke. He opens for me now. Although he also tours with other people. When you go through the open mics together it’s like going to war, you know? When you go through something tough together, it bonds you. It’s nice having a community. We ride together. He’s Jewish, 5 foot one. I’m German, 6 foot three. We learn from each, even though we’re so different,” Adrion admits.
Mario Adrion will be appearing on July 1,2 and 3 at The San Jose Improv, at 8pm. Tickets are $37.17 and more information is at improv.com/sanjose
