Former "60 Minutes" Commentator and Humorist
Jimmy Tingle is regarded as one of the top social and political humorists in America. He has worked as a stand up comic, producer, writer, actor, filmmaker and commentator in several mediums from the early 1980’s to the present day.
Tingle was born and raised in Cambridge, Massachusetts where the social, political and economic diversity of that city laid the groundwork for his development as a performer and satirist. After graduating from Southeastern Massachusetts University in 1977 he started performing during the early stand up comedy scene in Boston in the 1980s and quickly rose through the ranks from open-mike performances to paid engagements, headlining at comedy clubs, theaters and colleges nationwide.
Tingle recently returned to school, earning a masters degree from Harvard University’s Kennedy School of Government. He was selected to give the graduate address at Harvard’s 2010 commencement ceremony. His professional career has spanned nearly 3 decades. Prior to “American Dream” Tingle completed two seasons with “60 Minutes II” on CBS as the humorist / commentator in the Andy Rooney spot. He worked as a contributor and satirist for MSNBC and has appeared on “The Tonight Show,” CNN, “Larry King’s Weekend,” and “Late Night with Conan O’Brien,” “The American Comedy Awards,” as well as his own HBO comedy special. He has also been a guest on NPR’s “Fresh Air” with Terry Gross.
Film credits include consulting and playing a television talk show host on Chris Rock’s “Head of State”. Other film credits include the role of the neighborhood bartender in “Next Stop Wonderland,” a priest in “Boondock Saints,” and a restaurant owner in “By the Sea.” He played himself in the International Emmy winning arts documentary “Damned in the USA.”
His
self produced documentary “Jimmy Tingle’s American Dream” directed by Vincent Straggas is currently airing on over 60 PBS affiliates around the US. The film won Best Documentary at the Independent Film Quarterly Film and New Media Festival in Los Angeles in 2011.
His theatrical credits include writing and starring in four one-person shows all of which were directed by Larry Arrick. “Jimmy Tingle’s Uncommon Sense”; “Jimmy Tingle in the Promise Land”; “Jimmy Tingle’s American Dream” and his current production, “Jimmy Tingle for President: The Funniest Campaign in History.”
Tingle has the rare distinction of winning the prestigious “Best of Boston” award as both a performer “Best of Boston” 2001 in the “stand up comedy” category and as a producer in 2007 for Jimmy Tingle’s OFF BROADWAY Theater.
Areas of Expertise: Humor/Satire, Celebrity Comedy, Comedy for College, Corporate Comedy, Emcees, and Political Humor/Satire.
Jimmy Tingle for President: The Funniest Campaign in History
Presidential election nationally known comedian, filmmaker, and commentator for 60 Minutes II, Jimmy Tingle has constructed another hilarious, thought provoking and politically charged presentation based on his 2012 run for the presidency. As the founder of the "Humor for Humanity" party, Jimmy Tingle is running on his comedic record. The campaign underlines his passion and creative thinking on every issue the next president must grapple with from alternative energy to immigration to jobs and the national debt. Despite the seriousness of the issues confronting America and the world, Jimmy Tingle for President is The Funniest Campaign in History.
Jimmy Tingle’s American Dream
Are you looking for something different—fun and entertaining, yet with a relevant message—that will unite your group and inspire them with pride and patriotism, while making them laugh? Jimmy Tingle’s newest program blends his award-winning documentary film “Jimmy Tingle’s American Dream” with a taste of his unique and insightful live stand-up comedy. He welcomes questions from the audience following the screening of the film, providing an uncommon take on what it means to be an American in the 21st Century. Winner of Independent Film Quarterly’s Film and New Media Festival “Best Documentary” award, “Jimmy Tingle’s American Dream” is a one-hour tour de force of comedy, commentary and conversation with Howard Zinn, Robert Altman, Mort Sahl, Lewis Black, Bobcat Goldthwait, Jimmy’s mother and other real Americans defining what it means to be a citizen of modern America.
Uncommon Sense
Jimmy Tingle is a brilliant humorist who targets the things in contemporary life that just don't make sense. Whether it's politics, parking tickets, automated telephone menus, our frustrations with technology or smoking - Tingle's eye for the absurd makes his wit a hit with audiences everywhere.
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"What can I say? You were a hit! ...Everyone I spoke with was just delighted with your performance. Your intelligent humor kept us all laughing; not always an easy feat for corporate types."
- Terence Heagney | Houghton Mifflin
"... Thank you for the wonderful job you did yesterday... You were a great Master of Ceremonies."
- Cristina Rueda | Bankers Trust
"Jimmy Tingle was hilarious! ... I am sure Jimmy Tingle has garnered quite a loyal following from his performance before the more than 1,000 guests..."
- Laura Phillips | Catholic Charities
"Your remarks were clever, creative and comical... You probably spoiled us because now we think everyone should be as professional, courteous, patient and accommodating as you were!"
- Larry Zabar | New England Council