Growing up with cerebral palsy, Josh Blue had to “put up” with a lot of “put downs.” Rather than be bothered by it, he decided to join in and make fun of himself. “I’m beating people to the punch,” he said.

Blue rose to fame as the winner of NBC’s “Last Comic Standing” in 2006 with a delivery style all his own; his left arm waving aimlessly in the air and his speech slightly effected.  He has never let his disability get in the way of reaching his dreams and he hopes to serve as an example to others.

Like Richard Pryor spoke for African-Americans and Ellen DeGeneres for homosexuals, Blue wants to be the one who brings cerebral palsy into the limelight and to educate the public about the affliction. “I’d like for people to give us the benefit of the doubt and not assume that the handicapped are mentally disabled as well,” he said.

His sharp sense of humor and boyish charm shatters people’s preconceived notions of the disabled, presenting them as just a normal human being. Blue believes that everyone is disabled in some way; it’s just harder to see in some than others.

While attending Evergreen State College in Washington, Blue began his journey toward being a comedian by making it his major. Along with studying and writing about other comedians, he performed regularly at a number of locations and developed a fanbase.

Since being victorious on “Last Comic Standing,” he’s been selling-out clubs all over the country and regularly appeared on Comedy Central’s “Mind of Mencia.”

“I’m doing what I love to do, make people laugh.”

If not a comedian, Blue thinks he would probably be a zookeeper, which he did in Africa during a break from college.

With his fiancé, Yuko, Blue recently added fatherhood to his list of accomplishments when they had a baby boy. He’s very excited about his new role. “I’ve always wanted to be a dad.”

Any concerns of his condition presenting any challenges in caring for the child were squelched. “I talked to other parents with cerebral palsy and they say the kids learn how to duck when they need to,” Blue said, in reference to his swinging arm.

Being a successful comic has not gotten in the way of Blue’s passion for soccer, as he’s a member of the U.S Paralympic team. In 2004, he competed in Athens, Greece, at the Paralympic Games, the second largest sporting event in the world. When we spoke by telephone, he had just recently finished a summer camp where he helped pass the games’ skills to children. He has played soccer in eight different countries.

“I think it’s important to maintain physical exercise. Don’t let your body get too out of shape,” he said.

Though a straight line is impossible for Blue, painting has also become one of his hobbies. All of his work is full of motion from the amount of energy that goes into every stroke.

In the future, Blue would like to be the first “sitcom star” with cerebral palsy and, eventually, hit the big screen and possibly direct.

Still firmly standing as a comedian, Blue will be at the Funny Bone August 8-10. Shows will be at 7:30 p.m. and 10 p.m. on the 8th and 9th and 7:30 p.m. only on the 10th. Call 429-LAFF for reservations.  

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