Born in the Bronx, Robert Schimmel’s “big break” came in 1986 when Rodney Dangerfield invited Robert to perform on his HBO Young Comedians Special (also debuting Andrew “Dice” Clay, Bill Hicks, Dom Irrera, and Carol Leifer), which led to his critically-acclaimed Showtime specials Hard Core in the Big Apple and Robert Schimmel: Guilty As Charged.
While a staff writer on the hit series In Living Color, an impromptu set at a local club generated the opportunity to perform in Scotland at the Edinburgh Festival in 1994, where he was nominated for the coveted Perrier Award. In 1997, he headlined at Montreal’s Juste Pour Rire (Just For Laughs), the world’s largest international comedy festival.
Red-hot word-of-mouth sparked the attention of major media, resulting in editorial pieces in Billboard,Entertainment Weekly, and US News & World Report, and a four-page feature profile in Playboy Magazine. Consistent delivery has made him a regular on several shows, including The Howard Stern Show and Late Night with Conan O’Brien, on which he has appeared seven times!
Robert Schimmel has proven that the best comedy comes from the truth. His all-too-real brand of humor, which spotlights relationships and sex, has put him at the forefront of the comedy circuit. Other TV shows Schimmel has been seen on include Hollywood Squares and The Simpsons, and he has been seen in the films Scary Movie 2, A Low Down Dirty Shame, and Blankman, as well as at the US Comedy Arts Festival in Aspen, where he delivered a stellar performance. Robert’s CD releases include Robert Schimmel Comes Clean, followed by If You Buy This CD, I Can Get This Car, which helped to land the performer the prestigious Best Male Stand-Up Comic Award at The 13th Annual American Comedy Awards, Robert Schimmel: Unprotected, recorded from his HBO special Unprotected, and his most recent comedy CD and latest release Robert Schimmel: Resurrection.
In the year 2000 Robert completed a pilot for FBC which was picked up for 13 episodes for the following fall season. Almost immediately after returning from New York for FOX’s fall upfront presentation, Robert wasn’t feeling well and was diagnosed with Stage 3 Non Hodgkin’s Lymphoma. This caused the suspension of his series and the beginning of the fight of his life. Robert’s doctors at the MAYO Clinic used an experimental chemotherapy drug which Robert responded to, remarkably saving his life.
While in treatment he immediately noticed how depressing and difficult chemotherapy was for the many patients in the infusion center. During his treatment, Robert started bringing in comedy CD and DVDs for the other patients, encouraging them to laugh while there for chemotherapy treatments. From that he vowed to raise money for CDs, DVDs, and audio books to stock libraries in infusion centers across the country. After six years in remission Robert’s personal quest is to bring hope to others who face this illness, proving laughter is the best medicine. His library program has become a huge success and Robert has made over 100 presentations to various hospitals and centers.
Robert’s book Cancer on $5 a Day (Chemo Not Included): How Humor Got Me Through the Toughest Journey of My Life which chronicles his battle with the disease, was published by Da Capo Press in March 2008. For more information on Robert, please check out his website at www.robertschimmel.com.
Schimmel is performing for a limited engagement at the Riviera Hotel & Casino, Las Vegas from January 13 – 17, 2010 10:30 pm, nightly. $29.99 GA, $39.99 Premium, $54.99 VIP (includes his comedy CD). Mardi Gras Showroom, Level 3. All prices plus tax & fee.
