You might know Craig Shoemaker as the unmistakably engaging, iconic, baritone-voiced character, The Lovemaster. Maybe you were one ofmillions who saw him in his decades of successful stand-up comedy. Or you may have seen one of his specials aired on Showtime, HBO, ABC, CBS, NBC and just about every other major network. Perhaps you saw him in a TV show or movie like Parks & Recreation, The Bold and The Beautiful, or in Scream 2?
Or maybe you just recognize his voice: Pleasantville, many characters in numerous animated series, and all the voices (and even the title song) for the BBC cartoon, Big Foot, Little Foot.
But he’s far more than just The Lovemaster…
What you may not know (yet!) is that Craig Shoemaker is dedicated to using laughter as healing modality. Yep, the Lovemaster is a peace-loving new-age hippy dedicated to using laughter to heal the world. Who knew! With his retirement from stand-up comedy in 2014, he’s now focusing his efforts on his new organization dedicated to the cause, Laughter Heals. With a weekly show, movie and book coming soon, Craig hopes that he can bring The Laughter Movement to the mainstream.
“Shoe,” as he’s often called, began his career in his hometown of Philadelphia, where he honed his comedic skills and characters while bartending and attending Temple University (winning the “Best Comedian” award from Philly Magazine). A natural storyteller with sharp observational instincts, Craig’s performances are often based on the hilarious — and sometimes shocking — twists and turns of his own life.
Craig is happily married to his wife Mika and is a father to three sons, Justin, Jared and Jackson, and brand new daughter Chloe.
Recovery Comedy: What were you like as a kid?
Craig Shoemaker: Short. Every year, front row of class pictures. Plus, kid life was short. I had to grow up way too early.
Recovery Comedy: What made you decide to become a stand-up comedian and how long have you been performing?
Craig Shoemaker: Same as above… well… that and one pain factor. I wanted to make my sad mom laugh. Then I wanted to make others happy. Then I started professionally my junior year of high school.
Recovery Comedy: Were you performing stand-up comedy before you got into recovery?
Craig Shoemaker: Yes. Many years. I never thought I could tour doing stand-up, but when I got sober I soon found out sobriety kicked the comedy and talent into a higher gear I had not known.
Recovery Comedy: Does your comedy have a message and if so what is it?
Craig Shoemaker: Laughter heals all wounds.
Recovery Comedy: Who are your comedy idols?
Craig Shoemaker: Bruce Springsteen. He’s not very funny, but his performance art still stands as my greatest inspiration even 30 years after seeing him for the first time. He brings it from the heals, tells the truth, leaves it all out there and he is personal.
Recovery Comedy: Where does your inspiration for material come from?
Craig Shoemaker: All of it comes from experience. I try to avoid the opinions on the news etc. There’s only one me and only one twisted journey unique to me.
Recovery Comedy: What is your joke writing process?
Craig Shoemaker: No Jokes, except for maybe Twitter. I tell the story and the jokes follow.
Recovery Comedy: What is your kryptonite?
Craig Shoemaker: My ex-wife. She can literally stop me in my tracks from living joyfully.
Recovery Comedy: Is your family supportive of your comedy career?
Craig Shoemaker: My mom, no, but my wife is beyond supportive, but mostly in a spiritual supportive way of my being genuine. She is amazing…
Recovery Comedy: Is comedy part of your healing process?
Craig Shoemaker: Oh yes. Without the humor, someone might be dead.
Recovery Comedy: What was your worst experience performing comedy?
Craig Shoemaker: In front of a party for my hometown sixers. There were kids running and playing and no one was listening. Finally a guy just walked on stage without anyone even noticing and said, “You’re done”.
Recovery Comedy: What was your best experience performing comedy?
Craig Shoemaker: There are too many. Probably the last show I did. There were 70,000 people at the University of Florida. It was pretty surreal.
Recovery Comedy: What is your favorite joke?
Craig Shoemaker: There are too many to choose.
Recovery Comedy: What is your comedy dream?
Craig Shoemaker: To open up alternative avenues and platforms to “SHARE” a story, rather than perform it.
To find out more information about Craig Shoemaker or to book him for your next Recovery Event just click here!
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