Introducing US stand up Jamie Wolf, a star on the rise in his home country and named as Time Out Comedian to watch in 2025. Jamie makes his Edinburgh Fringe debut with his show ‘Psycho’ and to the Gilded Balloon Teviot Wee Room this August.
In the wake of his grandmother's death, Jamie called the suicide hotline and was hung up on (only to be called back!) and involuntarily locked in a psych ward. He takes a hard look at the American healthcare system, comparing it to other parts of the world.
The former opiate user who is diagnosed with SAD has a penchant for tackling dark, taboo subjects with a dynamic stage presence. Psycho is a story about loss, grief, his social anxiety and the meaning of life, but NOT a tear-jerker of an hour. Instead, join Jamie as he shares an uproariously funny, heartwarming and life-affirming outlook on tragedy.
Wolf was born when his mom, a 41-year old pre school teacher, and his dad, a 39 year old house painter, decided - without consulting their bank accounts - to have a third kid. 9 months later, they had four. Fraternal twins: a boy and a girl (Jamie was the boy). 5 years after that, his parents divorced, an event that indirectly led to him becoming a comedian.
Jamie started doing stand up when he moved to New York in 2017. His proudest accomplishment is that he is regular at the Comedy Cellar there, and has been for over two years. His unique comedic style, which is both intensely personal and intensely joke-driven, can be seen on his social media accounts. He has over 310K followers across social media platforms.
Jamie Wolf’s debut stand up show ‘Psycho’ will be at the Gilded Balloon Teviot – Wee Room at 9.40pm, August 5 - 30, for tickets go to www.edfringe.com
What is the last thing you do before you go onstage (apart from check your flies and/or check your knickers aren't sticking out of your skirt and check for spinach between your teeth)
I try to be having a conversation with someone nearby until the second I walk onstage. If I think at all about what I’m about to do (try to make a room full of strangers laugh with zero context) I tend to get close to pissing myself.
What irritates you?
When restaurants serve food that burns your mouth if you try to consume it. Why? My mouth hurts so bad now, and I can’t taste the rest of the meal. Is this also partially on me? Of course. But I’m hungry and you brought me food. The odds I don’t take a bite are zero. Protect me from myself.
What is the most dangerous thing you have ever done?
In high school, I did 140 milligrams of Oxycontin, drank, and then drove a car. Outside of fully illegal things, I swam in a riptide once.
What is the most stupid thing you have ever done?
In high school, I did 140 milligrams of Oxycontin, drank, and then drove a car.
What has surprised you the most during your career in comedy?
How little most people care about comedy.
What do your parents/children (delete as applicable) think of your job?
General apathy. We’ve never spoken about my career path.
What’s the worst thing about being a comedian?
Waiting. Waiting to board the plane, train, or Uber. Waiting to check into your hotel. Waiting to go onstage. If young comics ask for advice I tell them: Don’t ask yourself if you enjoy performing, ask yourself do you enjoy being on a plane? This will consume far, far more of your life than being onstage.
I think you are very good at what you do (that’s why I’m asking these questions). What do you think of you?
I think I am alright, some stuff of mine is better than others. I am not just saying this because it’s the show I’m advertising, but my Fringe hour is by far my best work - and it is still getting better.
How much do you earn and how much would you like to earn?
Last year I reported $61K on my taxes. Would love to make way more than that. But I’ll start with $70K.
How important is luck in terms of career success – have you had lucky breaks?
Nowadays there’s less luck than there used to be. Some element of luck still exists but honestly now more than ever there’s almost zero element of that. If you post crowd work everyday online, you will become famous. There’s zero luck involved. Hard work? Yes. But luck? I don’t really see it. Luck existed in stand-up back when one person could see you do a random set and then put you on SNL and make you famous overnight. That does not exist anymore.
That said, I have been extremely lucky in many, many ways in my career. I was lucky that the booker of the Comedy Cellar saw my tape and liked it. I was lucky that my audition there happened to be one of my best sets ever (still, to this day). I was lucky that I met and befriended people that became massively successful themselves and have allowed me to ride their coattails.
Alan Davies has said that comedians fall into two categories - golfers and self-harmers. The former just get on with life, the latter are tortured artists. Which are you – or do you think you fit into third category?
Self-harmer, no question.
Who is your favourite person ever and why – not including family or friends or other comedians?
Patrick Rothfuss. He wrote two of the greatest fantasy books of all time and then said screw this, I’m just gonna live life. Hasn’t written the promised third book for over 15 years now. People say he hasn’t even worked on it. That’s deeply inspiring.
Do you keep your drawers tidy and if not why not? (please think long and hard about this question, it's to settle an argument with my girlfriend. The future of our relationship could depend on your response).
Yes, extremely and neurotically so. Hope things between you and your girlfriend improve but honestly if this answer is make-or-break, you shouldn’t be together.
Any financial advice?
Get a credit card and never pay it off. It's free money.
Jamie Wolf’s debut stand up show ‘Psycho’ will be at the Gilded Balloon Teviot – Wee Room at 9.40pm, August 5 - 30, for tickets go to www.edfringe.com
PHOTO CREDIT – Todd Estrin
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