 |
 |
   |
|
|
 |
Roasts are his favorite, says comedian coming to S.F.ALEZA GOLDSMITH Bulletin Correspondent
"What is that, roast beef?" asks comedian Jeffrey Ross, digressing from a telephone interview as he sits in the Friars Club in Beverly Hills. The answer, "No, beef ribs," seems to satisfy him. "Someone just walked by with beef ribs," says Ross. "That's my favorite." Interrupting one more time to finish up a conversation with actor Abe Vigoda, Ross turns his full attention to his interview. Ross, one of the youngest members of the exclusive Friars Club in California and New York, is an old pro when it comes to hanging out with the legends of comedy. "All the old guys hang out here," he says. "When I'm an old comic, I know I'll have a place." Ross will be in San Francisco Saturday, May 13 for "An Evening of Jewish Comedy" starring Alan King. The event is a benefit for the Jewish Community Center of San Francisco. With appearances on "The Late Show with David Letterman," "The Tonight Show with Jay Leno," "Late Night with Conan O'Brien, "The View" and "MTV's Spring Break Cruise," along with producing and performing on "The Friar's Club Roast of Jerry Stiller," "The Friar's Club Roast of Drew Carey," and others, Ross himself is becoming a legend. "I made a big risk by becoming a comic," says Ross. "Right now, I feel like I'm at the top of my game. I love being a comedian." Born Jeffrey Ross Lipshultz, Ross decided to "simplify" his name for the stage after numerous mispronunciations. "Star Search's" Ed McMahon, for instance, mispronounced Ross' name four times before he finally came out on stage for the competition in 1992. "Do you know what Lipshultz means?" jokes Ross. "It means, 'Hey, you ought to change that.'" Ross grew up in New Jersey, the son of a kosher caterer. "When your dad is a kosher caterer, comedy is in your blood," explains Ross, who admits he does not keep kosher, but does enjoy an occasional meal of matzah brei. "I don't eat gefilte fish or white fish, but I do like knishes," he adds. "And, I eat Chinese food on Yom Kippur." Ross didn't plan to become a comedian. A film student at Boston University, he was working as a writer after graduation and took a comedy class as a fluke. Because he enjoyed it so much, he ended up performing on stage. "It took years and years of nothing happening," says Ross, "but, I was funny and had people telling me to keep at it and hang in there. Slowly, I became funnier and funnier without even realizing it." His big break came with an appearance on "Late Night with David Letterman." "George Clooney canceled his appearance and I was asked to fill in," says Ross. "I flew home from L.A. and did it." From there, Ross' career snowballed. He recently helped to write for the Academy Awards show along with Billy Crystal, and for this year's MTV Music Awards. His stand-up specials, "Pulp Comics" and "Lounge Lizards," have been critically acclaimed. And his seething roasts of Stiller and Carey on Comedy Central have gained the attention of national audiences. "I was good at roasting the first time I did it," Ross says. "I guess I have a certain level of likability. I say these really mean things, but I say it with a smile. Besides, we only roast people we love." Ross currently pays "double rent," with places in Beverly Hills and Greenwich Village in New York, flying back and forth as needed. "It's kind of surreal," he reveals. "One day you're in New York, the next day you're in L.A. The same bed, different cities. I want to wear my blue shoes. I could have sworn they were by the foot of my bed. But then I remember they're in New York and I'm in L.A." But Ross says this busy commuter lifestyle is good. It means he's working. And although his parents have passed away, Ross knows they'd be proud. "If they knew I was hanging out with Buddy Hackett and Red Buttons," he says, "they wouldn't be able to handle it." Ross says he's honored to follow in a long line of Jewish comedians. His role models include Milton Berle, Shecky Green and King. "If I can make those guys laugh, I know I'm doing something right," says Ross, adding, "I played poker with a bunch of those guys recently and won $32. By the way, you know you're playing poker with a bunch of Jews when Buddy Hackett says, 'I'll see your 10 and I'll raise you chai.'"
Jeffrey Ross will open for comedian Alan King at "An Evening of Jewish Comedy" 8 p.m. Saturday, May 13, at The Regency, Van Ness at Sutter St., S.F. Tickets: $75, seniors $45. Call City Box Office: (415) 392-4400.
|
Copyright Notice (c) 2003, San Francisco Jewish Community Publications Inc., dba Jewish Bulletin of Northern California. All rights reserved. This material may not be reproduced in any form without permission.