Shawn Banks

By Lisa M. Onorato

Entertainment writer


Titusville now can claim a comedy career as its latest launch, as Shawn Banks reaches for the stars.

The 31-year-old is making a name for himself in the world of comedy. What's even more impressive is that he's only been at it for three years.

"2007 is really my break-out year," Mr. Banks said.

He's won several competitions and is set to appear on two television shows in the fall.

"I was always a clown," Mr. Banks said. "I was the funny guy on the football team."

Mr. Banks grew up in Alton, Ill., and was awarded a scholarship to play football for Bethune-Cookman College in Daytona Beach. After he was sidelined with an injury, he decided to pursue his master's degree in business administration.

After his injury healed, Mr. Banks said he knew it was time to say goodbye to the sport that was his way of escaping his hometown.

"Where I grew up, it was challenging," he said. Mr. Banks said he used football to put himself through college, but he had to reprioritize when he knew he couldn't return to football.

"I realized that there was life after football," Mr. Banks said. "I couldn't make plays on the field anymore, but I could make plays on stage. I knew I could make an impact."

His trajectory toward the big time began when he decided to showcase his comedy chops and took the stage at the Orlando Improv in 2004. It was then he knew he was on to something.

"I killed it," he said. "Everything I said was funny."

After that, he opened for Ricky Smiley at the King Center for the Performing Arts in Melbourne. He also continued to take gigs throughout Florida and traveled to Los Angeles to perform.

About a year and a half after opening for Ricky Smiley, he went to see Sinbad perform at the King Center. He tried to get backstage to introduce himself to the comedian, but he didn't have any luck.

"I didn't have a media kit or anything," Mr. Banks recalled. "I was just trying to fast-talk my way backstage. I then told myself that next time he came around, I'd get him."

And he did.

In 2007, when Sinbad came back to Brevard County, Mr. Banks went to the King Center, media kit in hand.

"I was better prepared this time," he said.

He approached Steve Janicki, director of the King Center, and asked him to give his resume to Sinbad.

Mr. Banks' resume, by then, included a first-place win at the Nestle-Purina Pet Comedy Challenge. He also won $1,000 and a trip to the national contest in St. Louis, where he missed first place by 1/10 of a point but took home second and $5,000.

"By then, I had built up a reputation," Mr. Banks said. "I was just hoping (Mr. Janicki) wouldn't be the brick wall."

His media kit made its way to Sinbad, who agreed to meet with him and invited him to open his show.

From there, he's had one success after another.

He was a finalist in Comedy Central's 2007 South Beach Comedy Festival and won a slot as an East Coast Regional finalist in Comedy Central's Open Mic Fight.

In the fall, he'll appear on Bill Bellamy's "Who's got Jokes?" show and Byron Allen's "Comics Unleashed."

He's also performed at well-known comedy venues in Los Angeles, including the Laugh Factory and the Comedy Store.

"Everything I've gotten, I've gotten on my own," Mr. Banks said. "Nobody's going to create an opportunity for you. You have to create it yourself."

Mr. Banks acknowledges that he will probably need a manager soon.

He said he's been approached by the William Morris Agency in Miami, but he's not going to get his hopes up about it.

For now, he hasn't quit his day job at Boeing. He's content to lean on the people he knows will come through for him: himself and his family.

Mr. Banks said he maintains a close relationship with his mom and grandmother back in Illinois.

"My mom's online now, so she's always making sure I keep it clean and do the right thing," he joked.

Mr. Banks said he prides himself on being able to perform to any type of crowd and sticks to clean, family-friendly comedy.

"That was one thing that stood out about Sinbad," Mr. Banks said. "He had a 90-minute-set, no intermission, and he was able to keep the audience going with clean material."

Mr. Banks' act includes a lot of impersonations, from Bernie Mack to Snoop Dogg. His favorite comedians include Earth Quake, Richard Pryor and Redd Fox. And, of course, his mom.

"I got a lot of my humor from my mom," he said.

"I'm scratching on the surface of something great," Mr. Banks said. "I'm just going to stay positive and do the right thing."

Mr. Banks performs locally at Bonkers Comedy Club Daytona, where he is the house MC.

Brevard County appearances include Thursday, Sept. 6 at Groucho's Comedy Club at Gregory's Steakhouse in Cocoa Beach, and Friday, Sept. 7 at Groucho's Comedy Club at Makoto's in Melbourne.

For information, visit www.myspace.com/banksfunny.


Contact Lisa M. Onorato at (321) 751-5963 or e-mail thehype@hometownnewsol.com.
- Hometown News-Brevard County, FL

Somethin' funny?: Former Alton High football star Banks depositing laughs for nationwide competition

By JILL MOON
August 8, 2007 - 12:40PM

Former Altonian Shawn Banks now resides in Florida, where he is working on becoming a big name in the stand up comedy scene. He is seeking local votes for an online Comedy Central competition through Monday.
An Alton High School graduate took his act from the football field to the comedy stage to make bank.

Comedian Shawn Banks wants to keep Alton on the map by winning Comedy Central’s Open Mic Fight Comedy Competition, which requires online voting from fans at www.comedycentral.com/openmicfight. Voting goes through Monday.

“I’m not able to make plays on the football field anymore but by tackling the comedy stage, I’m able to make people laugh,” said Banks, a 1994 AHS graduate and local football star who
played offensive and defensive tackle.

Banks started his comedy career just three years ago, and already performs all over Florida where he lives now in Titusville. On July 11, in Miami, Banks took home the honor of being runner-up in the East Regional Open Mic Fight Comedy Competition contest.

Comedy Central representatives selected Banks from more than 700 video entries as one of eight comics to compete in the east regional competition held at the Miami Improv. The Open Mic Fight is a national comedy competition that gives a grand prize of $10,000 and an appearance on a Comedy Central stand up program.

“If I win the $10,000 we just might have a party there at the ‘Welcome to Alton’ sign at the Lincoln Douglas debate square. We’ll have a barbeque,” Banks said, fondly recalling his hometown. “I want to give a special shout out to Alton Housing Authority including the maintenance men. I used to work as a maintenance man when I lived in Oakwood.”

Banks described himself as a class clown in high school and college, and draws material from his family and growing up in Alton.

“Alton is a great source for comedy. If you would just drive through Alton you would end up laughing,” he said.

But a comedy career is no joke to Banks. What started as a fluke became opportunities to open for Sinbad, Bruce-Bruce, Larry the Cable Guy and Rickey Smiley.

“I went to the Orlando Improv on a tough crowd comedy night and got on stage did five minutes and rocked the crowd,” Banks recalled about the night that started it all. “Everything I said was hilariously funny. I said then ‘I need to be doing this.’”

Even though Banks received an MBA in 2002, he really wants to be a master of comedy. Banks was a finalist for Comedy Central’s 2007 South Beach Comedy Festival. In March, Banks excelled in the Nestle-Purina Pet Comedy Challenge, winning a first-place $1,000 regional prize and second-place nationally, winning a $5,000 prize.

“$5,000 for nine minutes of jokes is not bad,” he said.

The Pet Comedy Challenge gave Banks an opportunity to come home in March to Alton with an all-expense-paid trip to St. Louis where he took second place in a competition at West Port Plaza’s Funny Bone Comedy Club.

This year has proven to be a breakout year for Banks, whose filmed an appearance on TV One’s “Who’s Got Jokes hosted by Bill Bellamy,” to be aired this fall. Banks also has an upcoming taping on the syndicated program “Comics Unleashed” with Byron Allen.

Banks prides himself on doing clean comedy and saving the blue for its time and place.

“I adjust my set to the audience I’m performing to,” he explained. “In the Open Mic Fight competition, I was the cleanest there. I use couple words but nothing too bad.”
He credits working with Sinbad as shedding light upon the art of clean comedy.

“As I progress in this business and industry, I see you don’t have to be vulgar to be humorous,” he said. “I performed in churches, corporate gigs, family reunions, organizations like the Boys and Girls Club and you can’t be vulgar with those. I’m just having fun with it.”

When asked about his strategy to win the competition, Banks said he wanted to “have high LPMs” or laughs per minute.

“So everyone go there and vote and another shout out to Fast Eddie’s (Chicken),” he said. “I love that chicken and fish box.”

For more on his national schedule, send an email to banksfunny@yahoo.com or visit www.myspace.com/banksfunny.
- Alton Telegraph-Jill Moon

FLORIDA’S OWN COMEDIAN Shawn Banks in Comedy Central’s Open Mic Fight Comedy Competition.


By Mia Lanier
August 3, 2007


On Wednesday July 11 in Miami Florida, Shawn Banks of Titusville took home the honor of being runner up in the East Regional ‘Open Mic Fight Comedy Competition’ contest. Comedy Central representatives poured over 700 video entries submitted by comics throughout the nation. Banks was selected to be one out of 8 comics to compete in the East regional competition held at the Miami Improv in Coconut Grove. Comedy Central’s ‘Open Mic Fight’ is a national Comedy competition whose grand prize is $10,000 and the appearance on

a Comedy Central stand up program. Banks heated up the stage in Miami with his high energy and charismatic comedic performance. Judges from Comedy Central commented that Banks commanded the stage and was consistently funny. When asked about his strategy to win the competition Banks said he wanted to “have high LPM’s (laughs per minute)” Banks was ranked second in the East regional competition held in Miami, which gave him the opportunity to be voted online as a Viewer’s Choice semifinalist; and compete for the grand prize in Los Angeles, CA.



Banks started his comedy career just 3 years ago, and has quickly become known as one of Florida’s premier comics. The year 2007 has proven to be a breakout year for Banks, whose filmed appearance on network TV One’s “Who’s Got Jokes hosted by Bill Bellamy” to be aired this fall. Banks also has an upcoming taping on the syndicated program “Comics Unleashed.”



In March of this year, Banks shined in the Nestle-Purina Pet Comedy Challenge, winning a 1st place $1000 regional prize and 2nd place nationally taking home a $ 5000 prize. Banks was also a finalist for Comedy Central’s 2007 “South Beach Comedy Festival. As a driven performer who is anxious to develop his talent and broaden his knowledge, Banks has seized opportunities to become the opening act for many well-known comedians such as Sinbad; Bruce-Bruce, Larry the Cable Guy, Sommore, Rickey Smiley and many more.



Banks has a natural rapport with “urban audiences” but prides himself on being able to make audiences of all ages and backgrounds laugh.



Although Banks has performed at many local and national comedy clubs, he also enjoys entertaining audiences at many family friendly events as well as both corporate and private engagements.



You may VOTE for SHAWN BANKS at www.comedycentral.com/openmicfight; click on the East Coast and VOTE TODAY. You may find out more about Shawn Banks’ Local and National schedule by sending an email to banksfunny@yahoo.com or by visiting www.myspace.com/banksfunny.
- Brevard Ebony News-Mia Lanier

Tackling comedy
Former Alton footballer making waves with his career as a funnyman

By JILL MOON
September 26, 2007 - 11:20AM
Shawn Banks

ALTON — A former Alton High football star still is making plays in the entertainment business.

Comic Shawn Banks, who lives in Florida, will appear on Bill Bellamy’s “Who’s Got Jokes” comedy show at 10 p.m. Saturday and Nov. 3, on TVOne. Folks who have Direct TV or Dish Network can get the TVOne station or it can be viewed at www.tvoneonline.com.

The show’s format is similar to “Last Comic Standing.” In a first round, comics tell jokes to give examples of their material and in subsequent rounds, comics must face challenges such as hecklers.

“It’s a game so we have fun,” Banks said. “The winner at the end of the season gets to have a one-hour stand-up showcase. Keep watching to see how I do.”

Banks competed a few months ago online in Comedy Central’s Open Mic Fight after winning a stand-up competition in Miami.

“I appreciate the support from everyone. I would have won the Open Mic Fight if the people in Joestings Terrace had computers,” joked Banks, who used to work for Alton Housing Authority.

Even though Banks did not advance in Open Mic, something else good came of it. Banks received a call from the William Morris Agency to do a comedy showcase in November at the Miami Improv in South Beach.

“While they haven’t given full representation yet, it’s something just to be talking to them,” Banks said. “This is kind of like when I played football. In essence I have been invited to a combine, so I’m still making plays baby.”

Banks graduated in 1994 and played offensive and defensive tackle. After graduation he attended Joliet Junior College where he received an associate’s degree and football scouts’ interest. Then he went to Historically Black College University in Daytona Beach where he received a bachelor’s in business administration and an MBA in 2002.

Banks also recently started a three-city tour in Jacksonville with Bruce Bruce that will go to Tampa and Orlando.

And Banks will be a featured extra and is credited in the upcoming movie “Get Some” that is currently in post production. Banks, who stands at 6-foot-3-inches and 300 pounds, plays a foreboding doorman at an underground fight club.

Actor Sean Faris who played in television’s “Life As We Know It” and a gunner in “Pearl Harbor,” plays a rebellious teen lured into the underground fight club and has to make it past Banks, the doorman.

“In this movie I interact with (Faris). I tell him to ‘wait a minute,’” Banks explained. “Everyone started out as the doorman — Bernie Mac, the late Robin Harris, Martin Lawrence.”
Banks worked on the scene for 12 hours a day for two days. The movie also will feature Djimon Hounsou of “Blood Diamond.”

“At least my face is out there on the big screen and I got to say a couple words,” Banks pointed out. “I’m just continuing to grind. I just got a call back for the second round of auditions for the Biggie Smalls biopic.”

Although Banks, who’s been marred for seven years to his college sweetheart, seems to be in the thick of pop culture with movies and agents, he likes to tell self-effacing jokes and do comedy based on everyday observations, family and relationships.

“Things in pop culture, I don’t say a lot about because everyone’s talking about it,” he said. “I’m just really talking about me with you all and trying to understand this life. I’ll start talking about something that just happened in the lobby before I’ll talk about O.J. (Simpson) and his shenanigans.”

Banks is a big guy who is not afraid to wear pink, walk his little, white fluffy dog, a Bichon Friese or give credit where credit’s due.

“I want to give a special shout out to my mamma, Jean Hanson, and grandma,” he said. “Those are my two special backbones and I got a lot of comedy from them.”

To keep up with Banks visit www.banksfunny.com or www.myspace.com/banksfunny. To contact Banks, e-mail banksfunny@yahoo.com.

- Alton Telegraph-Alton, IL