Billy Gardell is following in his favorite comedian, Jackie Gleason’s footsteps. He’s appeared in a comedy television show. He does stand-up comedy, and he’s also a dramatic actor.
In fact, Gardell portrays Elvis Presley’s manager Tom Parker in the new drama series, “Sun Records,” the story of early rock and roll. It premieres Feb. 23 on CMT.
“I just want to keep growing as an actor,” said Gardell, who will bring his comedy act to Genesee Theatre Feb. 4.
“My favorite actor Jackie Gleason – he went from comedy to drama and I wanted to see if I can pull that off, too.”
Gardell portrayed the likable police officer in “Mike and Molly,” which aired on CBS until 2016 for six seasons. He’s been in the business for 30 years and said he’s known he wanted to be a comedian since he was 8 or 9 years old.
“I used to watch Johnny Carson with my grandmother. I watched ‘Honeymooners’ with my dad. I took right to it. I wanted to make people laugh,” he said. “Laughter is an easy way to get through tough times.”
Appearing in “Mike and Molly,” has helped his career grow, he said.
“After the success of ‘Mike and Molly,’ I got to experience every comedian’s dream – to perform at casinos and theaters and get a laugh from 1,500 to 2,000 people,” he said.
His humor, he said, is based on real life experiences. “I talk about being a dad and being married and trying not to be a hypocrite. My story is let’s not take things too seriously.”
He said he tries to talk honestly about what people go through in their lives that might weigh heavily on their minds, and make them laugh about it.
While Gardell loves doing stand-up comedy, he also yearned to do a dramatic role after “Mike and Molly” was over, he said. “It’s always fun giving your fans something different. I’m going from playing Mike, who was the nicest man on earth to the colonel, who is kind of a dirt bag.”
Tom Parker, known as the colonel, was Elvis Presley’s manager – and considered to have taken more than his share of earnings from the King.
To prepare for the role, Gardell said he talked to people who knew Parker. “And I realized nobody really knew the colonel. He got away with a lot of stuff. I had to make him be a likable dirt bag. I have to be charismatic and really charming.”
Over the years, Gardell has appeared in a host of films and television shows including “CSI” and “Bones,” and he did the voice-over for “Ice Age.”
Next on the horizon, he said, is a new comedy special he’s working on, and he’ll continue touring with his stage comedy act.
Sheryl DeVore is a freelance reporter for the News-Sun.
Billy Gardell: A Night of Comedy
When: 8 p.m., Feb. 4
Where: Genesee Theatre, 203 N. Genesee St., Waukegan
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Tickets: $38-$55
Information: 847-263-6300; www.geneseetheatre.com