The Three Questions with Andy Richter - Frankie Quinones

Episode Date: January 11, 2026

Andy and comedian Frankie Quiñones have a funny and emotional conversation about recovery, therapy, and Pendleton shirts. The star of the Hulu sitcom “This Fool” joins Andy Richter to discuss his new comedy special, his journey with addiction and the incredible breakthroughs he’s made, his characters Creeper and Juanita Carmelita, the scary wake-up call that saved his life, and much more. Do you want to talk to Andy live on SiriusXM’s Conan O’Brien Radio? Tell us your favorite dinner party story (about anything!) or ask a question - leave a voicemail at 855-266-2604 or fill out our Google Form at BIT.LY/CALLANDYRICHTER. Listen to "The Andy Richter Call-In Show" every Wednesday at 1pm Pacific on SiriusXM's Conan O'Brien Channel. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Hi, everybody. Welcome back to the three questions. I'm your host, Andy Richter, and today I am talking to Frankie Kignonis. He is a comedian and an actor. You've seen him on Hulu's This Fool with Chris Estrada, his first stand-up comedy special. Damn, That's Crazy, is available on Hulu now. Here's my really great conversation with Frankie Kignonis. A Pendleton T-shirt is like a postmodern sort of. Right on. Yeah, yeah. Thanks for noticing. No, it's just because you know, you talk about it and stuff. And it is like such interesting for like me, white boy from middle of Illinois. Like, why Pendleton shirts?

You know what I mean? Right, right, right. It is interesting because it's like for me, Pendleton shirts are like kind of yuppie. They're like high end yuppie-ish kind of thing. Yeah. And it's totally the opposite for us. Yeah, yeah, yeah. Like my dad has quite the penitin collection.

But then you learn about it. You're like, wait, it's this company in Oregon. And like, you know, they're like. Yeah, yeah. No, they're like outdoor or like super outdoors and stuff. And like expensive. Yeah, yeah. My, my stepfather, or stepfather, my father in law, when he retired, he took the whole family on an Alaskan cruise.

Oh, nice. The fucking gift shop was Pendle everything, Pendleton. Oh, wow. Pendleton everything. It was really weird. I don't know why it was such a big deal, but it's Alaska, I guess. I heard those are the best cruises in Alaska. It was pretty cool, actually.

I mean, I would never, like, I just can't, unless I, like, maybe something for my kid, because I have a kid who's almost six, maybe a Disney one just for her saying. Yeah, yeah. But on my own, like. Yeah, we had a, it's funny, we had a Disney one plan with my godchildren. Then that was in like 2020. And then the COVID shut. shit hit.

Yeah. Yeah. Yeah. They're expensive though, man. Just because they have the, they're on there, you know, the mascots or whatever. Oh, absolutely. And then, and then I was supposed to go on an Alaskan cruise, but then I had to go to rehab. That didn't work out.

Oh, well. It's not me now. It's deferred for later. All right. Well, I mean, we kind of already started. We always just kind of let it roll. Cool. Hi, Frankie.

Thanks for coming. Oh, thanks for having me, Andy. Appreciate it. Sorry, I was in the bathroom when you got here. I don't guess the listeners don't need to know that. Yeah, everybody here was talking about it, but I hope you're okay. I'm fine. I'm fine.

I was doing a Zoom confessional with my priest. No, I'm glad to have you here because I've loved your stuff is so funny and seen you over the years. And I also, I think, do you know Jonathan Groff, the writer, Jonathan? Oh, yeah, that's my dude, man. He's coming in here later today. Oh, really? My second podcast. Yeah, yeah.

just hang out front like a creep from where from. He's not here. He heard you were coming, but he's, yeah, because I know you were on, he did this fool. So. Yeah, he was, man, we actually, yeah, became pretty good friends after that. And he has pretty good Dodger tickets too. Oh, yeah, that's the other thing.

So, yeah, yeah. I keep on a set of the holiday text messages. I keep on good terms of him too for that exact same reason. Well, now, uh, You're a native Californian. You grew up here, yeah. Yeah, yeah. Born in Los Angeles.

And then when I was younger, we moved to Ventura County. Mostly grew up in Ventura County. Then I moved to San Francisco. That's where I started doing stand-up. I thought I was going to just go up there for a little bit to go to school. And then I ended up staying there for like 10 years. Oh, really? Almost 11 years.

And then I came back to Los Angeles in 2013. San Francisco is a better stand-up scene. Don't you think? Yeah, you know, I think... I mean, at least it was kind of historically. It was definitely a healthier place to hone your craft, I would say, because you just get more stage time. Yeah.

You know, it's a good scene. There's good clubs there, the punchline. Yeah. Cops Comedy Club. And then there's just obviously a bunch of places that have comedy nights and rooms. Yeah. And it was like the longest running open mic there was this place called the Brainwash Cafe. So kind of like a built-in audience of people waiting for their laundry.

Yeah. And they had like good burgers and good drinks. coffee and stuff. But yeah, everybody were dropping there. That's where I met Robin Williams. You know, Dana Carvey were dropped in there, like all these old school dudes, Hassan Minaj, and then Ali Wong, you know, Moshekasha. Is she from the Bay Area?

She's, yeah, born and raised in San Francisco. Oh, wow, okay. So, yeah, met all those people back then. Yeah, because I mean, there's people, like, of my age that were, like, Dana Gould is from up there, and I think Mark Maren started up there, maybe. and I want to see maybe Pat and Oswald might even have started up there. I know he was there for a while.

Yeah, yeah. That's what I heard. But yeah, it was like a hotbed, you know. It was like there in Boston seemed to be the stand-up towns there for a while. Nice. Yeah, yeah. And had you done stand-up before that? Or would you, you went up there for school.

What did you do for school? Yeah, I was, well, I was like, I was playing baseball. And then, like, you know, I didn't want to be a PE coach because they kind of just give you your, it's like parks and recreation as your classes. Yeah, yeah. And then I was like, no, man, I want to be a morning radio DJ. So I switched my major to a Becca, which is like, it was like broadcasting and media performance, actually. Yeah, yeah.

I was doing like, you know, all that stuff. Audio engineering classes, like doing like some of our stuff was like being like an anchor for like a show and you would have to like prepare stuff. And then I wanted to be like a morning radio. Like, what's up y'all? Good morning. Well, Frankie. Yeah, yeah. And then I ended up through that.

I always knew I wanted to try stand up though. Yeah. You know, and then eventually I graduated. I ended up working at this warehouse job, mostly doing like shipping and receiving up there. And then one day, one of my buddies was like, hey, man, like this guy hired me to record his stuff. You've been talking about doing stand-up, this place called a Brainwash Cafe.

And they do, they have a comedy night. And I was like, oh, okay. And I like work up the courage, you know, and it signed up. And, you know, and I got there later because of work, you know, you got to sign up early. So by the time I got up there, there was like six people left. But, you know, I was. Yeah, yeah.

And butthole clinched up on nervous. Probably not bad to have less audience than more. Your first time, you know what I mean? So, you know, and I was just hitting them with the low-hanging fruit, the diarrhea and sex jokes and just crashed it, you know, but I was getting some laughs. So I was like, all right, you got something, you know? I mean, did you sit down and had, like, did you have jokes that you kind of thought, oh, someday this is going to be in my act or like just stuff that you had said or

or did you actually go like, oh, shit, I'm going to do this, whatever, next Wednesday. I'm going to sit down and write some stuff. Yeah. Well, I wrote like, everybody was telling me, like, you know, get five minutes. Or I knew that my set time was going to get five minutes at this open mic. Yeah. So I just, you know, I wrote like a short little set. And I was just practicing it in my room in front of the mirror from my pillows on the bed.

Just like, yeah, yeah. Do you guys like this or not? You know, just but, and then, yeah, and then I just kind of went for it. Yeah, yeah. And was it, I mean, were you hooked immediately? Yeah. Yeah. I loved it.

I always was fascinated by it because my mom and dad were like diehard stand-up fans, you know? So I grew up around it. I was just, it was always on in the house. So I just, yeah, as soon as I got those like first few laughs on my very first set, I had been, I had been doing like underground hip-hop. There was like a period of my life where I was like, you know, socially conscious hip-hop, you know, rocking this and like- Like rapping or like poetry? Yeah, yeah, oh, okay.

So I had, you know, I kind of, the ice was broken as far as getting on. stage. Yeah. But with that stuff, you have like a DJ, you have another, you have kind of things to, you're not just up there by yourself. You know, it's just like I had another partner I rap with and then the DJ homie and then it was like, you know, so, but you know, I was kind of used to getting on stage ready. So that, that helped.

Yeah, see, that's for me, I come from improv and it's like, I need other people up there with me. I don't. It's too lonely up there, you know. And then I, you know, it's like, it's like it's more fun, you know, to bounce stuff off people. Yeah, yeah, yeah, I could see that for sure. Yeah. Um, I also, I liked, I read in the stuff about how you said, I mean, that there was a lot of comedy around and that lots of laughs. But you did say, like, you're like, like, positive energy was like a big thing in your, yeah, in your household.

Yeah. And can you talk about that a little bit, like what that was like? Yeah, you know, I was, it was, it was, it mostly like came from, yeah, both my parents actually, but my mom was always big on just laughing and always there was always music on in the house. They were like diehard music fans. Like old school funk was their number one. Yeah. And I talk about that. But they, yeah, they went to like Rick James's funeral.

My sister's name is Tina Marie. Like it's like they're hardcore. Like that was like the religion, you know. Yeah. But you know, they're like, you know, prayer and like spirituality was always big. But my mom was always big on laughter. My dad was always like gratitude, you know. Yeah.

Be grateful. You want, you know, every, you know, you know, make sure you. you know, lean in with that first. Yeah, yeah, everything. But, yeah, so, you know, it was later that I learned like, oh, I think the positivity was also a way to, especially from my mom to, you know, escape her traumas and that stuff. Yeah, that's what I was going to say.

I mean, I mean, it's nice and it does, I think, you know, like to have parents that are like, look at the positive, like that's better than the opposite, you know? Yeah, yeah, yeah. Because that's kind of like mine was always like. Life sucks, son. Yeah, yeah, yeah. I just get used to me.

What's shitty about this situation? Oh, I'll tell you. I got a list. But I bet it is hard, too, like sometimes when you got a legitimate concern or a legitimate complaint, you know, that's like nobody wants to hear it, you know? Right, right, right. And did you find that when you were growing up that, like, there wasn't any room to, like, be like, I know positive energy, but I'm actually, you know, unhappy about this. And, I mean, I know you're revealed in your standup. can get that at the end of your special, like a big one of those.

Oh, yeah, yeah, yeah, yeah. Yeah, yeah. And it was like, you know, I was, you know, you know, there was, can't beat around the bush. There was those physical abuse, sexual abuse for me as a child. And it was like, you know, that's where it was like, yeah, you couldn't really, it was like sweep it under the rug and just stay positive and get to work on me, you know, just like, right, positive vibes. But, dang, this is pretty messed up. what's happening, you know, but, yeah, but, you know, it was once I opened my mouth about it, because I didn't know what was happening only, I was a little kid. I was like, five, six, seven. These, these weird things are happening in me. And then so, uh, it stopped, they, it was stopped, it got stopped, you know, they stopped it from happening, but then it was like, then you just

don't talk about it. Nothing, you just, you stay positive. Right, right, right. Can't change the past, just move forward. Yeah, yeah. So, and, you know, they, nobody around me had the tools to, you Even my parents, they just didn't have the tools at the time to know how to deal with that. Right, right. I think they were just hoping like, oh, he'll just forget about it, whatever. But to take the ass whoopings after that even is like, damn, you're going to, like, you're not going to speak up about this other thing, but you're still going to whip my ass. But, you know, they were doing the best they could, man.

I love them to death, my mom and dad. So it's just something that we had to work through together. Was there physical, like, corporal punishment and, you know. You know, my, my mom was very reactive in the moment. She would throw shit, you know, she's, she smacked me in the face. Like, you know, just, you know, she's as that, you know, she's, she came from, you know, she's oldest of all her siblings. Yeah. From the projects, that whole thing.

So it's like, and she, she did pretty well for herself considering that she was expected to do nothing, you know. And so, and, but my dad was very like, hey, you messed up, me, you know, you know, all right. Let's go, you go to the room, you know, pull my pants down, lay stomach down. And then he would whip me with a belt, you know, all right, don't block it, me, who you're going to get more. You know what I'd be. Yeah. you know, and then, you know, you get welts and shit. But he would always sit with me after.

I'll never forget that, man. He was sitting next to me, hey, me, hon, you know, you know why I did that right? And then I'll be like, yeah, I did. Like, do, do, all right. I love you. I love you. And you would give me a hug and walk out and I would just cry it off. And then, you know, not do that again.

Or do that again. Yeah, yeah, yeah. Do that again. I mean, get away with it. Yeah, yeah. Yeah, because that's like, I mean, you know, when your dad's like, you know, why I do that. I did that and it's kind of like, yeah, I know, but it's not, it's not necessarily the thing to do. You know what I mean?

It's like, it's like, because I have, with my kid, I grew up getting spanked, you know, and and when I had kids, like my first kid spanked him a couple of times, like to, and, you know, and just, and just with my hand. And I felt like so shitty. And I realized when I did it, like, this has nothing to do with him. This isn't about like, he's going to. learn a lesson or anything. It's just because I'm frustrated. I want to have this over with and this will put an end to it. Like, you know, like, I'll hit you and then the situation will be over. And,

and I can tell myself, you've learned a lesson not to do that in the future. But that's not really what it was about. It was about me being impatient and me being pissed. You wanting it to stop. Yeah, and me just wanting to put an end to it. And that's, and so I just kind of, like I learned it, like it's a lot fucking harder when you've got to talk it out or like, you know, give them timeouts or like no TV time because they get to an age where they're like, all right, fine, fuck you. Time out. You know, like that's something.

I'll fucking do another timeout. I don't give a fuck. Yeah. Well, that's something too is that you find out like with, you know, like if somebody said to me, like go to your room for 20 minutes, I'd be like, oh, fuck yeah. Yeah. All right. Nat time.

Yeah, yeah. Thank you. But yeah, it's weird. It's like, you don't have kids, do you? No, I don't. I have two godchildren, you know, with my sister's kids. But, man, she's big on that. Like, the talks, you know.

Yeah, because I get frustrated with them, you know, myself. The same thing. Like, no, and the way we grew up, it was like, it's so hard to, but my sister's all about, no, I'm breaking this intergeneration. Yeah, yeah. She reads all the literature. She's like, you know, no, you know, Harvard studies show that when you spank your kids, and all that stuff.

So, you know, I kind of, we kind of talk shit to each other too because I'll be like, oh, a Harvard study show. Like, that kid's whaling out right now. I don't care about a Harvard study right now. Like, you need to calm his ass down. Yeah.

But, you know what? She's doing, she's doing the homework. You can just follow her. Like, all right, let her do. I mean, that's in my first marriage. My ex-wife read all the stuff. And I was just like, all right, well, I'm not going to read that shit.

You just tell me what we're supposed to do. Can't you tell my loves it grows? I mean, I feel like from getting hit too, I don't feel like I deal with being told what to do very well. Or I don't have like I have problems with authority and problems with like somebody criticizing me. And I think it's all just because I got fucking hit. You know, and it's like it doesn't do it. You know, like it's not a processing.

It's just like all of a sudden the person that's supposed to take care of you is kicking the shit out of it. Yeah. Yeah. The person that you're looking to be like that your anchor in life is like, oh, that person has the potential to cause me physical harm. You know, like that's a weird, a weird dynamic. Yeah, yeah. Like that shit, that might fuck me up today. But he loves me though.

Yeah, yeah. So, I mean, were you known like among your friends growing up as a funny guy? Yeah, yeah, yeah. Yeah, yeah. It was, I was definitely class clown all that stuff. Getting into trouble. Getting into trouble for it. But, yeah, dude, oh, man.

That's the memories of that. But it was, but, you know, I was, I was pretty likable. I went out of my way. It would be likable. It was kind of like my, looking back on it, obviously, it was a way of dealing with. I needed validation from people because of the way I felt about myself. Sure. And stuff like that.

But, but. And this is out in Oxnard? High school is out in Oxnard? Yeah, I went to, well, I went to elementary school in Oxnard, junior high and Camero High School and Ventura. That's what I had to say Ventura County. Right, right. Because it's all over the place. Yeah.

Yeah. And, yeah. So that, that's, that's where it was going. on down. But yeah, I was loving to make people laugh and get that validation and be like, see, I have something for y'all, you know? Were you, were you a smart ass to teachers? Because I was, and I, that was what got me in trouble. I kind of just, like, would piss them off. I wouldn't, like, talk shit to them necessarily. But at towards the end, like, even in high school, they started liking me, you know? They were just like, Frankie, like, the one of my, one of the things

I would do with this English teacher, like, every time she would go right on the board, I was getting up on my chair and I was a little homie. I'm a little homie now. But Back then, I was like, like, barely five foot. But I would jump up on my desk and do like bodybuilding moves, you know, like, you know, like that the class would be like giggling. And she would turn around like, why are they giggling? You know, she would turn back and I'll jump up on my desk again and do another move. You know, I'm just like, she turned around and caught me and then it would just like, she's like, you know, come on, man, you motherfucker. Like that.

Yeah. Just like little annoying shit like that. But I wouldn't be like, I wouldn't talk shit to them, you know. Yeah. Shut up or da-da-da. Yeah, I know I was the smartest. And I also, too, like, I discovered the sense of, like, there's no greater feeling as a kid than making a teacher absolutely furious with you, like really fucking mad, and then making

them laugh in the middle of it. Like, that was kind of like what I would try to do. And they'd be so fucking mad. I'm with my parents, too. Be so fucking mad. And then say something. They were like, God damn it. I can't laugh.

God damn it. I did. That's what I'm bomb. Dude, my football coach. I played football. I was mostly a baseball player. My dad always had me in sports. But we had this thing called, you know, hell week where you sleep at the school. Yeah.

You get a, it's the first day you can wear pads. They wake you up at 5 a.m. You know, they're playing like the Mortal Kombat song. You're like, all right, let's go. But you're sleeping there. But they had a freshman orientation day, right? The day that we're all there. Yeah.

And we had like a break because you do like two, three day practices or whatever. And I remember, bro, I had it. I used to dance ballet folklorico, which is like Mexican folk dancing. Uh-huh. So I had my boots with me. So I put on these boots and then I had the little... The little bat. I brought those just in case the football coach wants me to dance for everybody.

So I'm like, I want to mess with these kids. And they're there with their parents because like first on the orientation day. And I roll my... We have like these basketball shorts. And then I roll them up into a thong. And then I'm like... And then I put my shirt over my head. And then I have my...

my boots on and I go out there, bro, in the middle of the hallways and I'm like doing, like, you know, doing a dance with my boots. And then I got my, you know, I'm wearing pretty much a thong. And dude, I was like, and my football coach comes out. He's all, Frank, guy, you know? And then I, you know, I take my shoulder ahead and look at him and he just couldn't help but laugh. He's like,

he's like, get your ass in here. You know, and then like, and then he made us all run. Yeah. Everybody was like, we don't care, bro. That was worth it. That was so funny. Oh, that's good. Yeah. That's nice. To see the parents just like, what the fuck. Yeah, yeah. Yeah.

Well, did you, I mean, was there, like, I know you talk, you know, you talk about, like, uncles and stuff that, and you base creeper, like, the character you do kind of off on just different people that you knew were kind of in and out of jail and stuff. And, I mean, did you get into kind of any serious trouble as a kid or was it all just the kind of stuff we're talking about? Yeah, not, I mean, I wouldn't, yeah, it was mostly like that kind of stuff, like class clown stuff, getting rid of up, sitting on the wall during recess and, and, and, and, and, I mean, I wouldn't. all that, but like I didn't I never got in any big trouble, you know, you know, I was in time got a little older, but it was like, yeah, it was mostly friends I was around. My mom and dad were pretty strict though. Like I had to be had a curfew and all that. So obviously the trouble they were getting into is a little bit more later at night and stuff like that. But, you know, my, yeah, but my dad was always, you know, Chuck Taylor's, Dickie's crease, the whole stilo, you know,

and then his best friend was my godfather. They were into lowriding, you know. My godfather, my Nino, John, was president of Vihito's Car Club for like 33 years. So it was always like they were like showed me that positive side of the culture and stuff like that. But I had cousins, man, just in and out. My dad's brother, it was in and out, you know, just memories of, you know, seeing him get out and go back in. And my mom's side too, man, it's just like, you know, we had uncles in and out. Yeah. You know, one of the one of my uncle's, you know, rest of peace, my Tio Nano, he was always

in and out, bro, but he would come out and be like, oh, man, he always find the Lord, you know, like, oh, man. And then he brought me into the room. The day he got out and he was, you know, come here. And he had a book called The Devil made me do it. He's like, hey, you got to watch out because the devil make you do crazy things, you know. And even then as a kid, I was like, you did this shit. Yeah, yeah, yeah.

It wasn't the devil. Yeah, yeah. And give it six months, Tio. Yeah. It was just like that was always like around in my life. But but those uncles were always real cool to me. And, you know, I've seen them like do drugs in front of me, including heroin and stuff like that. But they, yeah, they were always cool.

They always made sure I ate and stuff like that. Yeah. Yeah, that's, I mean, because, you know, that like you said, the Stilo, the Pendleton shirts and the Grins Dickies. Like, you know, from like if you just watch movies, you think like, oh, if you dress like that, you're a criminal. Yeah, yeah, yeah. You're a gangster if you dress like that. And then you move out here and it's like, no.

That just means you're a certain age, you know. That's all that means, you know. Was it hard to move up to San Francisco and leave like this support structure down there? No, you know, I have some family up there in Sacramento and in San Francisco and Bay Area. But it was like I was ready to get out because it was like I had. just friends down here were kind of, you know, they just started doing, like, working construction, getting, having kids, you know, getting fulls pregnant and then start working in construction. And, you know, and that's a, that's a cool life too.

But I just knew I just didn't, I wasn't ready for that. I just wanted to do something different. Yeah, yeah. And then we would go up and spend every Thanksgiving up in San Francisco with family. And, you know, so I was always kind of like, all right, if I'm going to go anywhere, probably be here. Yeah. And then so, but, you know, I thought I were just going to be in and out, go to school and come back.

And then, yeah, I was like, I ended up loving it up there. And then, yeah, and then I started doing stand-up. And then kind of just, yeah, stayed for those reasons. And, you know, I kind of took it as far as I could gaining an audience and stuff like that up there, getting into getting past the clubs up there and all that stuff. And then it was like, it came the time, you know, you either got to go to New York or L.A., one of the two if you want to go to the next level. And then it just was organic because my parents are down here.

You know, my sister was up in San Francisco too. she came back down because she started having kids and then yeah so it kind of just worked out somewhere to sleep at least if it all goes to shit you got it was oh man when i first came back and i was sleeping with my mom and dad's house my dad was getting up getting me up we walk in the room seven in the morning you know hey what's up what are you doing today huh i'm like no i'm figuring my life out there you know she's like he's like i was in my 30s already so he's like dude he drove me to a labor ready spot, like, where they just, you know, it's like ex-cons. Like day labor?

Yeah. Oh, wow. Hobie. I was straight up digging holes. Like, oh, it sucks, dude. Like, the guy that was, like, hurting around all the laborers, I was like, I was like, I'm a comedian and da-da-da-da-da-da. He's like, yeah, cool, man. Like, go dig that hole over there.

Yeah, yeah. That would be funny if you dug that hole. Yeah. How funny can you be while you're digging? Oh, man. Oh, that would suck so bad. Oh, dude, it sucked. I went away to college for two years.

from home and then like transferred because i'm from outside of chicago and transferred to a school in chicago it was just two years and i was like 1920 and then i had to move back into the house like not just for the summer but like for oh fucking sucks so bad you're out and you have that freedom and then it's like oh my god yeah the same old shit people yelling at each other all the time you know man. Yeah. It was just like, yeah, I had, yeah, then I had friends just kind of, they just get, people get stuck, you know? Yeah. And then you're like, oh, man, you feel for them. But yeah, yeah, thankfully most of them are doing all right now? Well, it, while you're in San Francisco, were you able to like, just do stand up for a living? We're like, were you, were you doing,

doing that well in stand up or? I mean, I was, it was, I mean, I wasn't like, I was sleeping on my, well, it came towards the end because I was like, quit my job or I got laid off. And then they, They did try to hire me back a few months later and I was like, ah, you know, I was like, I had the bug, you know. Yeah, yeah. I was just on dedicate myself to stand up. And I do think that that was crucial for, for me to have that. But I ran out of money real quick when you don't have any income.

Sure. And you're getting like, you know, 20 bucks to show and two free drinks. Right. And then so I ran out of money and then I bet. Then I was, it started to kind of pick up, but it was real inconsistent. You know, like one month I'd make a thousand bucks doing stand up. The next month I'm making like 50 and all. And it was like, you know, you're on that ride.

And then so I was, my. My buddy was charging me $200 a month, and I was sleeping on his couch. And I was like, you know, but I was already like, I was in my third, well into my 30s. Uh-huh. My family's worried, you know, like, what are you doing? You know, and I'm like, no, I'm a comedian, you know, but it was like, it started getting a, you know, those, the levels of discouragement were starting to hit, you know, the lows. And I was like, oh, man, is this for me? But then, but then I, that's when I decided.

I was like, all right. But it was still good, though. It was just inconsistent, like I said. And I was like, all right, it's time to make the move, you know, go to back down to L.A. And so that's when I did. And then, you know, and then I started, I was, I was when my dad was like driving me to the labor ready spot.

And I was like, I can't do this. There's got to be something else. And then I got into the restaurant, you know, game. And then I had to, and then I was like kept getting fired from those jobs. I was requesting too many days off. Oh. You know, because I was getting gigs. Yeah.

And then so finally it happened in 2017. You know, me and some friends sold the show to TBS. And then about a couple months after that, Cholo Fit went viral, which is this character Creeper I do based on my dad, that's a fitness instructor. So, and then it just, from that day on, it was all I've been doing for a living, yeah. Yeah, yeah.

That's great. Yeah, it was. That's great, yeah. Been quite the ride. Can't you tell my loves it grows? Are there, I mean, are people, like with Creeper, Like, do people just enjoy Creeper? Are there people who are like, this is, you know, like a cartoonish, you know, depiction of the proud Latin people, you know, or anything like that?

I mean, you know, unfortunately, there's always going to be that. Yeah, yeah. He's picking us look bad and it's like he's self-righteous, like whatever. But it's like, but I also love when people are like their first impression of it isn't good. But then they see how grounded Creeper actually is. Yeah, yeah. It's definitely like an over-the-top character, but he's actually very relatable. Like a lot of people in my community know a creeper.

And then there was a lot of people who didn't even know what a Cholo was that were attracted to creeper for whatever reason is positivity or just a fitness community. Yeah, yeah. It was interesting to see. But it was a, but yeah, you know, I think Latinos do a good job of holding each other back when it comes to that. Like we're kind of like crabs in a bucket sometimes. But we're also can be the best at being loyal and uplifting each other and all that. But yeah, I definitely got some of that in the beginning.

But then it kind of all like balanced out. And obviously it's like now it's like nine. 95% positive feedback for my community. Yeah, yeah. And then you get the 5% that's saying, nah, it's a negative depiction of us. And but it's, to me, that's creepers like my father, my cousin, my family. Right, right. And he's all about positive vibes, homie.

Yeah, yeah. I mean, what word do you, you, because I'm always like, because actually my wife is Mexican-American and grew up in Whittier and La Habra Heights, the Mexican Beverly Hills. Yeah. It's known. But like I never know like is it Latina? Is it you know, I usually just like Mexican people because that's you know, the Mexican people.

Yeah, yeah, the Mexican. That's Mexican people. Because it is like it's like because Latin X like that. Yeah. People were trying that for a while and it didn't really seem to go over. But I mean, what do you have a like what do you refer to as Spanish speaking people? Yeah, Latinos. Yeah, Latinos.

Yeah. There seems to be like that's pretty, you know, Latinos and Latinos. Latina seems to be like the word. Yeah, yeah. I mean, obviously, if it's a woman, you say Latina, yeah, obviously. But that whole, like, the Latinx thing was a stretch, man. I feel like I genuinely feel like it was a white homie somewhere that made it up. Yeah, I know.

No, this is what we need to do now. Because I just, there was no connection with the older generation and that, you know, my dad. I tell this a thousand times, my dad genuinely thought it was a channel, you know. He was like, no, I saw it on Latinx. And then I go, I go, what? You saw it on Latin X? And then he goes, yeah, no, let me show you. And he's like, we're at his house.

Spanish language porn. Yes. You know, and then it was just like, if you talk to people just working out on the streets and they have no idea, they're like, yeah. Latinx, what's that's so? I know. I know. I know. Yeah.

And it's like, what's wrong. You know, it's like, it's perfectly fine. Yeah. It's been working just fine. Yeah. Do you ever like because kind of so much of your your comedy is kind of about like what a Latino life like do you ever feel like you can't speak about things outside of Latino life or did you know like have you ever felt kind of like like people expect me to just kind of stay within this? Because I think that happens with a lot of comedians who kind of they come from a community. They represent that community.

And then it just kind of seems like after a while it's like can't I just talk about. airplanes? Yeah. Could I talk about... I just want to talk about sandwiches. Yeah, yeah. What about lunch? Can I make jokes about lunch?

Hey, what's this one? I'm talking about our stuff. Yeah, just... Yeah, no, I don't know. It's, like, finding my lane in my career and then my, just the creative side, I was like, I never wanted to feel like in a box, you know, put in a box. I think the industry in general, like, they can't figure Latinos out. Yeah, yeah.

They kind of put us all in a box and they're like, so... Like, you go to the East Coast. And it's, even though Mexicans are the majority in the United States, you go to the East Coast, it's everybody else. You know, like, you know, Cubans and Puerto Ricans and, you know, Venezuela and Colombians and all that. And they're out here too, obviously, but here were like the majority. But it was like, I didn't know. I was like, okay, what's my career going to be? Especially when Creeper was the first thing to kind of, like, put me on the map.

It was like, okay, like, am I going to have like this Peewey Herman career? He's had a great career. Right, right. Rest in peace, Paul Ruhman's. But he was a big inspiration. And then I was like, and then I was like, so just focus on that. And I did so much research behind that and building Creeper up and like adding the layers to him, which was, you know, Peev was a big a thing. But the Three Stooges, Benny Hill, Lenny Bruce, all those guys that were so good at physical comedy, which is like universal.

Like there's people all around the world that post creeper videos that are just like, I'm like, oh, man, this is an opportunity to reach people that don't even speak. We don't even speak to the same language. I don't even understand what, like, the Cholo thing is. Yeah, exactly. But they're like, what is this guy? Yeah, yeah. Is he a bullfighter or a cook or what? You know what I was like?

Like, why are his socks so high? Right. But then, yeah, I love, like, I love doing alt rooms and stuff like that. Obviously, I do the clubs a lot, but I love to get weird. I love to see. And I think there's a big part of my community that appreciates that. Yeah. Because my mom and dad were both born here, too.

You know, my mom's a mix, too. and then, you know, she's Native American and Mexican. And then my dad's, you know, Mexican would identify mostly as Chicano, which is like, you know, Mexican-American and that stilo. So it was like- Nobody uses that word anymore. Yeah, yeah, yeah. It was like so.

Because when I was a kid, that was Chicano pride and Chicano power. Yeah, yeah. It's like, people are like, what do you? I've been kids don't even know what that means. You know what I mean? What's a Chicano, father? Yeah, yeah. Does that have sauce or cheese?

Yeah, yeah. Sounds delicious. Yeah. But yeah, so it's like, and those are two different voices there too. Yeah, yeah. It's like the Mexican-American experience versus the Mexican experience. And then, you know, just like, so it's just like there's a lot. Yeah.

I mean, so I just, I never wanted to be like, okay, I got to choose one thing. I was like, I just wanted to live my life and do what I do and not even have to make those decisions. Like, okay, tonight I'm going to do Chicano material. And then, you know, the next night I'm going to do sandwiches and, you know, just like, I just want to be funny. Yeah, yeah, yeah. But yeah, I don't know. That's always a battle I feel for us is trying to not be put in a box. You know, we get flak from our own people too.

Like, oh, I'm not, I'm not Latino enough or I'm too Latino. Oh, really? You know, like trying to do that, you know what I mean? So there's a lot to navigate. Yeah, yeah, sure. You just stay true to your voice. That's the most important thing. Yeah.

That's the other than you. Yeah, exactly. If you just stay funny, you're going to be all right. Right, right. Did you expect that you would be doing character work like that? Was that part of your stand-up as you were coming up? Yeah, I was, well, I would do like voices and I'd do a lot of storytelling. So it was kind of like already in the back of my head.

So kind of organically, I was like, all right, let me try to do some content and get into these characters of another level, which is starting to costume up and stuff like that. And I remember I was in, I was in San Francisco. I didn't know how to write script or anything like that, but I could draw a little bit. So I would draw a storyboard. And then I met this guy in school, which is like, my mom and dad were like, That was like their biggest accomplishment. Nobody went to college and I have a big family.

Now there's been more. Yeah. But I was the first one to graduate on both sides of my family. So that was like a big deal to them. And obviously being a comedian, like you don't, you know, it's not like I'm using that degree, but the people that I met and networked in there, like a lot of them I still stay in touch with and work with today, you know,

even in the industry. Yeah. So I feel like it was more about that. Like the people that I was around, got the opportunity to be around that I wasn't around as a kid were like motivated and doing things. and stuff like that. So, but this guy got a camera

who was in my, you know, media performance class. So I hired him, drew a storyboard, and then we made the first video. And I was like, here, I just showed him the storyboard, like, I want to do this. Is this in San Francisco? Yeah, okay, yeah. And that was like in, around 2010, I believe,

was the first video I made, but I already been doing stand-down. And is YouTube, I don't know that here. Around then, it was still new. It was still new, right, yeah, yeah. I don't, YouTubers weren't getting rich. Yeah, yeah, yeah, yeah. It wasn't a thing yet.

And so we made that first video and then and then it was just on from there. And then a buddy of mine, Kevin Kami, a real talented stand-up and writer. He taught me how to write script, you know, over, I don't know, about 10, 15 years ago. But it was like then from then on, then I started writing sketches and developing the characters. Yeah. So I don't know, but I was always inspired by like Robin Williams was huge for me. You know, and then that's, you know, Martin, the show, Martin Lawrence's show. with all the character work he did in there, Dragon Flight Jones and Shannay and all that.

It was like huge, you know, Jim Carrey and then, you know, S&L's Golden Age and all that was like, a living color, my family and I watched religiously. Yeah. It was such a good show. And then so I was always like inspired by that and just like wanted to, wanted to do that, you know? Yeah. And it's an escape too. I get to become somebody else.

Yeah. I don't have to be in my own skin for a little bit. Absolutely. No, I mean, that's, you know, that was like I set out to be an actor. And then I got, you know, I had this wonderful life of getting onto a talk show and getting to do that kind of comedy, which is like, which I'm, I like that too. Like, the shortness of it suits my attention span, you know what I mean? Like, you were writing, writing feature lengths. I've written a couple like of, it's so fucking hard to like folk.

Because by the time I'm done, I'm over it. I'm like, I don't even like this idea anymore. But yeah, I still, like, that's, I set out to act because it's like, I don't want to be me. I want to, you know, I want to hide behind something. Not necessarily hide, but just put more like put on, you know, like something for fun. You know, it's fun to put on another personality and be another person and, you know, have an imagination of what would it be like if I wasn't me, you know, if I could be somebody else. When you started getting hired as an actor, was it intimidating? Like to come, because, you know, I kind of always felt that too since I was a, since I was a kid.

Kind of same thing. I just knew I was going to, I just knew I wanted to entertain, you know? Yeah. And then it was like, and then you have like this feeling as a kid. And then, you know, my mom and dad were very supportive to. And, you know, even though there was all that, that dark stuff going on, I think it helped the, the lighter side pop even harder because I was like, you know, the escape and all that. But it was like, I would do, I would dress up even as a kid and perform for them in the living room or whoever was at the house. Yeah.

And so I always was like attracted to, you know, becoming something else or these characters. Right. I always knew like deep down, I was like, man, I think I'd be good at that. But, you know, then the life starts happening. You get tainted by the world. And I'm like, maybe I'm not special. You know, maybe I'm like. But then you then you reach another point where I was like, oh, shit, well, maybe I can do this.

And then, because it's a lot of moving parts acting, as you know. It's like, not all stand-ups can translate to good actors, you know, and it's just like, so I don't know. I was, you know, auditions I, to this day are like a big challenge for me, like, you know, but. No, they suck. Yeah, they suck. All right, thank you for saying that. Yeah, yeah, yeah. No, and especially now you got to tape yourself for everything.

Yeah, yeah. I fucking hate it. Oh, dude, I hate it. Because I just, I just feel like you, you read it, you're like, okay, I think. that I'll do it this way. And if you're in front of somebody and you're doing it the wrong way, they can go like, no, no, do it. This other, we see it as this other way.

You know, it's like, it's like you're making, you know, like they tell you bake a cake and you're like, I'm going to make a chocolate cake. And like, no, no, we want vanilla. Like, oh, well, fuck, okay, I'll make vanilla. Right, right. But you don't get to do that. You send it off. And then you're just wrong.

You don't get any correction. And, you know. Yeah, yeah. Yeah, it's rough, man. But most of the acting jobs that I've got were. people that were like already fans. And they kind of just, yeah, yeah. It's kind of like a formality.

They just have you send a tape in and then two hours later, like, yeah, you got it. Yeah, yeah. But, but yeah, through the, through pretty much specifically the show this full is when I like fell in love with acting. I was just like, oh man, I love this. Yeah, yeah. And I just, you know, you just get so in it, especially when you're a main character on a show. And then, you know, it takes about three, three and a half months to do the 10 episodes. So you're just like in this bubble.

Yeah. And being number two on the call sheet, it's like you're there pretty much every day. Right, right. And then I live alone. So I would just stay in character. I was Luis for these three months. Oh, wow. And then it was just like, and then it would, you know, you go home, you have an hour to study your lines for the next day.

Then you go to bed, hopefully get four or five hours of sleep. And I'm back up in the makeup chair like five in the morning because I had the fake tattoos and all that. So a lot of times I'd have to get there earlier than everybody else. Could you just leave them on if you, you know? They would last for about two to three days left. Yeah, yeah. And then they got to start them again. Yeah, yeah. But, yeah, my earliest call time was 340. Jesus.

Man, yeah. Jesus, that's bad. You know, and then you, it had me, me has such a higher respect for actors because growing up, you see people like, man, it would be so fun, just show up and you know, do the lines. But then you're like, and then you start doing it. You're like, oh, shit. I mean, yeah, you're getting paid, but it's work is work.

And it's like, you know, to be in a makeup chair at 340 and then you're rolling on the first shot at 630 and you're expected to be on. Yeah, you got to do it. You got to put that emotion out there. You got to perform. You got to. Yeah. So it's a beast.

But I love it. I just reheard this quote that Michael Kane, there was somebody who's talking about who he got to a point where he's making a million dollars a movie. And at the time it was like. And he said, I don't make a million dollars to act. He said, I make a million dollars to wait around. The acting I do for free. You know, and it is kind of like that. The hard part of acting is the waiting around.

And like you say, you know, early times. And you do have to, you do have to be able to hyper. I mean, I got terrible attention deficit, but I can't hyper focus when I need to because it's like you got 75 people that have been hanging lights and stuff and scurrying around. And now all of a sudden it's like, go. Right. I know if you fuck it up, then you've got all these people.

You're wasting their time, you know. Yeah, just so much money just going out the door every minute. Yeah, yeah. With big sets like that. Yeah. No, you can't fuck her on. Now, when you do characters like, like Creeper or Juanita Carmelita, which is based on women in your life, do the people in your life go, hey, fuck you? What are you doing, you know?

Because I've always, like, I always am afraid to like reference. Like, there's just too many things that I could write into something that my mother would go, like, I know what that. I know who that is. You know, like, oops, sorry. Yeah, yeah. Yeah, that happens for sure. Yeah, yeah. But especially with my mom with J.C. Juanita Karamita, you know, just, you know what time it is.

And, you know, she's more like, I know what's best for your life. But if you want to go mess things up, then, you know, that's on you. But it's like, but she got to be really motivational too. Yeah, yeah. You paint your picture and you live it, me, hon. Like, that's how you do it. And, but my, you know, her whole, like, no it all. Like, my mom is the type to be like, you.

You know, well, tell me when I've been wrong. When was that last time? Tell me, I'm waiting, you know? And it's like, me and my sisters look at each other like, dude, with all our childhood trauma and shit. Like, oh, yeah, you've never been wrong, Mom. Yeah, yeah, yeah. Oh, that would call it.

The first time you said that, I'd start keeping a fucking list. Hold on, mom, let me get this here. Let's see. November 6th. Yeah. So it's like, we kind of just like, you know, you know, whatever, bite our lips. Yeah. Like, you know, but, uh, were there specific, was there like a few specific things that she was pissed off about that, you know, you know, she never, she never really got mad, man, but she would be like, I'm not like that, you know, I mean, my sister's just be like, yeah, you are, mom. And then she'd just be like, you know, just like, kind of brush it out. But there's, there's been really nothing that, like, the only thing that was, like, maybe got serious was when I started opening up about, uh, my stuff, you know, my abuse and things like that. That's obviously heavy. Yeah.

especially for a mother and father who love you to death. And I love them. They're my heroes. Yeah. That's why it was such a mind fuck to be like, all right. I guess I'm going to, you know, I think it became important to like open up about it. And so, but I do tread that line where I'm not like putting hers, her, like her experiences of child and all that out there too much because that's her life. Right.

But I could talk about mine. And so we did have a talk about that where she's like, hey, look, like, you know, I'm all about you healing and this and that shit. in Harvard Studies. Yeah, yeah, yeah. But she's like, you know, my shit is my shit. And you know where I come from? And she's like, you know, and then she gets, she'll get crazy on me still too.

Yeah. Because she's hood on me. She'll be like, don't forget, motherfucker. You know, don't forget her I'm from. I'm from the projects and shit. And I'm like, all right, mom, love you. Okay, mom. Sorry.

But so I was like, okay, cool. And then so it helped me learn and understand, like, you know, the things I could talk about and things I shouldn't add a respect for her. Yeah. But as far as the jokes, like they, they've, you know, they might give a little, I'm not like that, but then they laugh it off. Yeah, yeah. And when they see a room full of people laughing at it, they're like, all right, you know, it's not good.

And I don't say specific names either, but my mom and dad are the only ones or I'm straight up like, with my mom and dad, you know, like all the other ones I could say, I have so many cousins. I don't say my cousin, there's already like 10. Could be. Yeah, that's me. Yeah, yeah, yeah. Yeah, yeah. Yeah, yeah.

Like, you know, I'm not. Oh, no, not you. Yeah. Yeah. No, that's whenever, whenever I think I just said it the other day on something, I'm like, whenever I criticize a group of people, I'm always like, but if you're listening, I'm not talking about you. I'm talking about the other ones. Not you. Not you cousins. The other cousins. They're the asshole. When you, when you did come out with this stuff and I mean, and this sort of subsequent complications that it caused in your life, I mean, was there, like defensiveness on your parents part? For sure. Yeah. There was like, you know, when I went to rehab, it was like, I went to a, you know, one of

the like top trauma processing centers in the world, you know, stuff like that or in the nation, sorry. Yeah, yeah. And get all bigheaded butter. How do you find that place? Is there like a therapist that recommends you to a place? It was my, my manager and agents actually, they, she took the time to do the research and presented me with a list of here's the places.

Yeah. Because I was on a train I couldn't get off of, you know, and then it was like, you know, I found out about the illusion, which is like the thing like, oh, if I got this house, if I became a headliner, if I got on a TV show, I would feel this way these demons would leave me. This is all I got to do. If I just get there, I'll feel, you know, these demons will leave, me because I'll be so happy. Yeah. And then I checked all those boxes, you know. I'm in a home that I bought doing what I love. I mean, you know, I'm on a TV show and all these things.

And I was like, it was miserable. And then that's when that monster came for me. Like, I was going to die. You know, I could. And then I accepted that. I was just like, this is it. This is the path got laid out for me. I'm too fucked up, you know.

And this is just what it's going to be. And so you just were on like a track of self-destructive behavior? Yeah. I was fucking doing, you know, isolating, doing drugs. Yeah. Just, you know, hopefully I don't wake up. Oh, wow. And then it was like, and I didn't really see it as like,

suicide attempts or nothing, but I was trying to party myself to death. I couldn't, I couldn't stop. Yeah. And then, but then, you know, after I went and got treatment, they're like, no, no, that was you were suicidal. Yeah. And I was like, well, no, I was just partying. You know, but positive items, you know, it was too fun to be a suicide attempt.

But it was like, but in that process, so, you know, I was almost, you know, I was going to, it was going to die and it was like, they kept checking up on me at my place and my, I'm in a, I would go to hotels so I could just keep going. And then, you know, Chris Estrada, my sister in the hotel lobby, trying to get up there. And I wouldn't let them up. And it was just, it got ugly, man. And that's not me. That's not my character.

You know, I love my family. But that's just the cloud and the disease that got the best of me. Is that who started to figure out what was happening with you? Yeah. I mean, just all my family. Because I am close to my family, so they know when something's up. Right, right. I was on this train.

I just couldn't stop. It was crazy. It's incredible. what how that is you know you're just like you don't want to hurt your family you don't want to worry them but you you're just like i'm just doing this to myself you know so and i can't i can't stop i'm done and then so yeah but like my you didn't call out for help they they came to you and said hey yeah like what the fuck and i'm all good all right i'll slow down i'll slow down but you can't slow down on your own you know you need help homie so it was just like you know they that that was

pretty much at the towards the end of my run when i was like at that hotel and I had already finished. I was filming a bunch of stuff for like five months. So I felt I deserved a reward. And then I was like, no, that's not a reward. And this is going to be the end of my life. And then so, yeah, I remember that the hotel was like, well, we can call the cops. And that particular incident, which was like the end of my road.

And they told, well, we could call the cops and Chris is like, tells my sister, I'm not trying to get this full arrest. At least we know where he's at. And I was at the Ondaws Hotel right next to the comedy store. I kept extending my stay. And I was just like, ugh, it was ugly, man. I got wheeled out of there, you know, and just, oh. And my sister wrote me a letter.

She's like, she made me promise I was going to get help. I said, I had to promise you, me, huh? And then she wrote me a letter of how it play out if I died for each of my family members. Here's what happened with mom and dad. Here's what happened with. And something, that letter, like, tapped into something in me. And then at that point, my mom and dad were willing to do it. I would have never have pictured them or imagine them, like going to a therapy session

with me or something like that. And they did. And for that, I'll be forever indebted to them, grateful for them. My dad's in there with this panel team. Like, all right, what do we have to do? And it was like, we're doing crazy shit. That ring of fire shit where you're sitting need and knee facing each other. And then he's like, you know, I'm sorry and da-da-da-da in front of these circle of therapists and strangers we don't know. And it was just like, it was heavy, bro. It was like one of the most hardest things I were done. And my parents too. Yeah, yeah. But we did it together. You know, we went through it. And then she's like, you know, we just dumped it all.

out like you motherfucker and da-da-da-da and just like who boy that's some heavy shit but it saved my life you know and and it changed our relationships everything yeah so just like yeah it was crazy so yeah yeah to answer that question sorry I went on a crazy rant no that's all right no it's all interesting stuff but yeah they uh they stepped up and and went to therapy in that way so now like those jokes are like there's nothing they're going to do those jokes yeah yeah you should to see what we went through. Right. It was crazy.

Yeah. Yeah. Do you still go to therapy as therapy, like still a regular part of your life? Yeah. Yes, sir. Yeah. Yeah. It was, you know, I had to get educated on what that was and how you do it.

And you got to find the right therapist. Yeah. That takes some time, sometimes. Sure does. Which, like, I think a lot of people, especially in my, now I got two of my other cousins are in therapy now that I would have never picture going to therapy. And they're doing it. But it was like, oh, my.

too. My cousin Rubin is like one of the most, he got no neck tough. He doesn't go to therapy yet, but maybe one day. But he's like a big fan of yours. He's like, oh, for the Richard Connell again, he's one of the best. They tell myself, what's up. So he's going to. Well, Ruben try therapy. It's real. It's, I recommend it. If you're a fan, if you're a fan of what I do, therapy has a lot to do with what I do. Yeah, yeah. Yeah, but I, dude, I tried all that, like EMDR and all that. Yeah. But actually the EMDR. our stuff was causing me to like drink again.

That's like the lights and stuff, isn't it? Yeah. Yeah, yeah, yeah. And I roll my eyes. I'm like, what if we had a rave? Like, what is you going to give me a light show? Like, and then, uh, and then next thing you know, like five minutes and say I'm fucking sobbing. It's just, oh, really, wow.

Yeah, yeah. You know, it's good to get your left and right brain and talk to each other. Yeah. Because you hold trauma on one side. You hold the logic on the other. So that's why you're still like this afraid little kid getting abused. It's just shut down on that side. Yeah.

So it's wild, man. But then, you know, I was going to drink right after those sessions. I got to hold off on that. And then, yeah. I mean, sure it's good that the left side and right side are talking, but it shouldn't make them thirsty. I need a fucking drink after that. You two stopped talking, please.

But, but yeah, man, I definitely get a lot out of it. And it's just like, you know, just, yeah. And then just talking to other people that need help too. It's a big help, get you out of your head, you know. So do you think that, like, that this whole chapter of your life, and, you know, this recovery and, you know, breaking the trauma. Like, is that, is that going to be a story that you tell someday, do you think? Is there like a...

Yeah, I could see so. I could see me going there. I mean, it saved my life. I was just, I was going to die, like, straight up. Yeah. And it was just like, you know, I remember the moment when I was, I was, like, at the end of that, that bender and I thought, you know, this is it. And I had, like, three Xanax bars left.

And I was in the hotel room by myself. you know, I took them and I got a little bottle of Crown Royal from the little mini bar. I wash it down. And then I remember like just apologizing to my family, my sister, thanking God for my time on earth. Yeah. And then I'm like, I'm sorry. I don't know what's going to happen after this, but I'm sorry that I couldn't do this, you know. And then I woke up by the grace of God.

And I don't, I think if the hotel, whatever, security or maids didn't, because I was supposed to check out and they just, dude, I'm just in my robe like my dix. I'm just drugs and my heads against the headboard. Like I'm like, what? Where am I? And they came in to get you. Yeah, and they're like, hey, man, paramedics are here, da, da, da. And I was like, what? No.

And I was like, that was when things happened with my sister or stuff like that. But it was like, that's, the story is, it's pretty wild. And I think that I'm definitely a believer that, you know, God wanted to keep me here for whatever reason. And one of those reasons is to make, you know, people smile and feel good. And sharing my story is. could have, you know, you never know who can affect it. If, for me and what I do, like, if it, it makes one person happy and improves their day

because you never know what somebody's going through. Yeah. And to me, just living life and learning so much. And, you know, I'm in, you know, 45 now. So it's like I've learned that love is like the strongest thing in this world. And not only, like, for myself, you know, for everybody that, you know, I've been around some tough motherfuckers, man. And, you know, and I've even seen them like, hey, I love you too, homie. You know, like, you know, everybody needs it, you know, and everybody wants it.

And just a little bit to somebody that needs it could change their whole path of their life. Yeah. I know it sounds cheesy, but I'm a firm believer in it. And it's like, so it's like, yeah, I mean, to share, sharing that story is become a big part of my life. I know in this standard special I opened up and got real vulnerable with that stuff. So I think I got it. There's a certain point to it. It's like, all right, you got it out now.

Yeah. Now I could just concentrate on being funny and going crazy and telling you. go forward in the next chapter. And then this part of like recovery from drug addiction and, you know, spirituality and therapy is just part of my life now. Yeah. So I don't have to always talk about it. This is just the stage that I'm in.

Yeah. Where I'm like, look, this is why I'm still here. And, you know, this is why I'm able to show up and be on stage for everybody. And then, you know, because navigating this business, man. Again, you get, this gets crazy. And it's just like, you got to find your tribe and you got to find, you know, keep your work out, keep doing that work on yourself or else. It's like, you know, you get caught up, probably.

I'm just like, you know. Well, it's, it's good to set that example, too, like four people, like your cousins, to be like, yeah, no. And I mean, it's a kind of, it's a thing that still blows my mind that just like, attending to your mental health is still like a taboo to some people. Oh, yeah, yeah. It's fucking so insane. It's like, I've always said, like, if you were walking around with a bone sticking out of your leg,

somebody would go go to a doctor. Yeah, yeah, exactly. But you can walk around, you know, like you were or like me and I was at different points of my life. And everyone's like, no, no, no, just get over it. Yeah, yeah, yeah. Or just be positive, you know. Yeah.

And I think it's great that, like, you can see somebody who, you know, like you do, you are from an environment of like, be positive, keep a positive, which is great. And then you make people happy and make people laugh. but then also to be able to be like, yeah, but even me, I need help. Yeah. You know, and I, and I'm, and there's times when I was helpless and, you know, and that it's, it's a good thing to tell people. I mean, every time I've ever talked about depression or therapy or stuff,

I've had, I've had just like, and I'm not, I'm certainly not one to be like, people should learn from my journey. You know, it's always so pompous. Right, right. But, yeah, I talk, you know, I've talked about. being depressed and about getting treatment for it and people come up to me and they're like, I heard you on this podcast and like I finally went to therapy and my parents won't talk to me because I'm in therapy, you know, just like crazy shit. Like what? Why would you, you know. Yeah,

that's, that's wild. Yeah, yeah. And it's and the fact that it still exists is. It's crazy. It's nuts. Yeah, it's crazy. You think by now there'd be enough kind of like, no, no, I think it's, I mean, it is better. It is better. I feel like progress is definitely happening, but they're still like, like it's looked at as a sign of weakness. Right, right. Well, you're just going to work.

It's less so, though. Like a man can cry now. Yeah. And it's not like, you know, like what's wrong with you, you pansy? You know, it's like, I'm, you know. Do you hear Rick cried the other day? Yeah. What the hell?

We should go hit him. Yeah. Well, Frankie, I want to talk about what you got. going on here. Your first stand of a special Damn That's Crazy premiered on Hulu in October and Ali Wong directed it

that's nice. Yeah, yeah, yeah. Yeah, shout out to Ali Wong, good friend of mine. You guys have been friends for a long time, right? Yeah, yeah, yeah. And it was so cool to see her rise

and blow up and stuff like that. And then we Lucy were talking about doing a special together. I would do some sets opening for her and then, yeah, the opportunity came. She was a big help though, because including with the stuff I opened up about,

I was like, is this too heavy to like put out to the masses. Like, should I just keep it, you know? And she was like, no. Bottled up that works so well. Yeah, yeah. But she was like, she's like, well, first of all, it's just funny. Like you made it funny.

Yeah. So that's like a huge step, you know, to make something like that funny. And she's all saying, I think it's important that you do. And then thankfully it worked out because it was, you know, I was, it was nerve rackiness do that. The first time I would talk about that on stage and try to make it funny, you know, you tense up. crowd tenses up with you. You got to get over that hump. So eventually I got over that hump and we were able to ride that wave.

But yeah, she was, yeah, Ali Wong directed, produced, it's on Hulu. It's called Damn That's Crazy. Yeah. Streaming now. Please watch it. And you have live dates on your good vibes only tour at Frankie canionis.com. I don't know if you know that. Yeah.

You do. Well, Frankie's, thank you so much. It's been a great talk. Oh, thanks for having, Andy. And I appreciate your honesty and your, and your, work and just what you put out there. So thanks so much. Thanks for having me. I appreciate it.

And thank all of you for listening. I'll be back next week with more of this. The Three Questions with Andy Richter is a team Coco production. It is produced by Sean Doherty and engineered by Rich Garcia. Additional engineering support by Eduardo Perez and Joanna Samuel. Executive produced by Nick Leow, Adam Sacks, and Jeff Ross. Talent booking by Paula Davis, Gina Batista, with assistance from Maddie Ogden, research by Alyssa Graal.

Don't forget to rate and review and subscribe to the three questions with Andy Richter wherever you get your podcasts. And do you have a favorite question you always like to ask people? Let us know in the review section. Can't you tell my loves are growing? Can't you feel it ain't it showin? Oh, you must be a knowing. This has been a Team Coco production.