Ron Funches, widely recognized for his distinctive stand-up comedy, has captivated audiences not only with his humor but also with his inspiring personal journey. From his early days of open mics to headlining comedy shows and venturing into acting, Funches' path has been marked by resilience, self-discovery, and a commitment to personal growth. This article delves into Funches' weight loss journey, his comedy career, and his inspiring approach to life.
From Stand-Up to Screen: The Rise of Ron Funches
Funches' comedic talent was evident from a young age, with a love for comedy that included watching "I Love Lucy" and "Benny Hill." However, he didn't initially consider it a viable career. After working at a bank and facing the challenges of raising a son diagnosed with autism, Funches sought a career that could provide financial stability. This led him to the world of stand-up comedy.
Driven by the need to provide for his family, Funches immersed himself in the comedy scene, performing at open mics and honing his craft. He quickly fell in love with stand-up, recognizing it as his true calling. His stand-up opened doors for him to do acting and also allows him to have a character that he can take to acting instead of someone who’s a blank slate, who doesn’t know how to write their own material. The acting just makes performing better because I’m not looking down at the floor and being nervous. I look people in the eyes and I connect with people and I can get a laugh more off of looks and physical movements. I didn’t have that before I got into acting.
Funches' success in stand-up led to opportunities in acting, where he discovered a new passion. He took acting classes and embraced the challenges of a different craft. He noted that acting has improved his stand-up by allowing him to connect with the audience. His standup comedy has garnered attention through the premiere of his Comedy Central Special, “Giggle Fit,” which aired in early January. Funches has performed on TBS’s Conan O’Brien Show and NBC’s The Tonight Show with Jimmy Fallon.
The Weight Loss Journey: A Transformation
A significant aspect of Ron Funches' journey has been his remarkable weight loss. Four years ago, actor and comedian Ron Funches weighed 360 lbs. Between 2015 and 2019, the Funches dropped more than 140 pounds by changing his diet and exercise regimen. This transformation has not only improved his physical health but also brought about significant changes in his career and personal life.
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Funches' weight loss journey began with a realization that his body wasn't feeling as good as he hit 40. He embarked on a journey to change his lifestyle. He spoke about his weight loss journey on The Sporkful podcast, detailing the changes he made to his diet and exercise routine. The comedian most certainly isn't lying when he says that he loves food.
More Than Just Physical: The Profound Impact of Weight Loss
Funches openly discusses the impact of his weight loss, noting both the positive and challenging aspects. He has spoken about how losing weight has affected his career, opening doors to new roles and opportunities. However, he also acknowledges the complexities of the experience, including the way people perceive him differently.
Funches has reflected on how being overweight limited him to certain types of roles, such as "Homeless Guy #1." He also touches on the shift in how people interact with him, with some friends focusing more on his weight loss than on his personality.
Comedy as a Platform for Connection and Inclusivity
Funches' comedy often touches on personal experiences and observations, creating a relatable and engaging experience for his audience. He headlined the Student Union Board’s spring comedy show on Wednesday, April 10, in Alumni Gym. Throughout the hourlong show, Funches gave audience members an organic look on his 140-pound weight loss journey, being a single dad to an autistic son, his favorite reality TV shows and his life as a black male. He is known for incorporating "black humor" into his act, which resonates with many audience members.
Funches is also aware of the importance of representation and inclusivity. He is the first black male performer, a single father to a child with autism and an active member in the LGBTQ community. Eady said overall there was a positive student response to bringing Funches to campus. “I think there are different groups on Elon’s campus who maybe felt they aren’t represented in shows we’ve brought in the past,” Eady said.
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Giving Back and Paying It Forward
Beyond his comedic and acting endeavors, Funches is committed to giving back to the community. He chose to film his Comedy Central special in Seattle. Seattle in general is a place where I’ve had a lot of good sets before, and I felt that it was an audience that is smart and nerdy and similar to the style I liked to do. And also there’s a shelter there, Mary’s Place, that I knew about in the past and I wanted to be able to donate money to them.
Funches' desire to help others extends to his upcoming podcast, a comedy self-help show focused on personal improvement. He wants to talk to people about it. If I can help anyone follow their path - they can’t follow my path - but we can all push each other along. The podcast will follow his journey of self-improvement, encouraging listeners to join him in striving for better health, spirituality, and creativity.
Embracing New Opportunities: From Comedy to Culinary TV
Funches' career continues to evolve, with new and exciting opportunities on the horizon. Comedian Ron Funches is set to host a new, cannabis-inspired, Discovery + show, Chopped 420, and we challenge to find a soul on earth better suited to the position. He has also appeared on reality cooking shows, showcasing his love for food.
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