If you are anything closely resembling a comedy fan, then you have probably heard the name John Mulaney. And even if you have not heard his name, chances are you have watched some of his work. He has been donned the future of comedy by comedic greats like David Letterman. In his 38 years of life, he has made quite a name for himself through his stand-up career. And he has become equally respected for his work behind the scenes as a prolific comedy writer.
He has been in the media for some amazing feats and accomplishments, but recently for a more serious event in his life. In December 2020, John Mulaney entered a 60-day rehab program to deal with his addiction problem. There is definitely more than meets the eye with this talented comedian and writer. Learn more about the untold truth of John Mulaney.
John Mulaney grew up in the midwest and has been very open about how his Catholic upbringing has had a heavy influence on his anxieties and quirks. “I’ve been nervous for 35 years. Some of the things I was anxious about [as a kid] don’t bother me at all anymore. Like, I always thought quicksand was going to be a much bigger problem than it turned out to be,” he said in a 2012 stand-up comedy special.
He got his start and big break in the comedy industry back when he did a set on Late Night with Conan O’Brien back in 2008. He was asked to audition for SNL and was offered a writer’s position by Seth Meyers. “For my money, he’s the funniest person in America. He’s this combination of great writing and great performing you so rarely see,” Meyers told the New York Times.
Mulaney is responsible for some iconic roles in comedy and television, like the beloved SNL character Stefon, and he also voices the character of Andrew on Netflix’s vulgar and provocative comedy series Big Mouth.
And his strides in the comedy industry have totally paid off. He currently has a net worth of $5 million. He has become so popular that his comedy shows sell out entire theatres. “I’ve been very, very fortunate that doing specials and making albums has allowed me to do more and more stand-up,” said Mulaney.
But as much as he has been open about different areas of his life, he has not shied away from being vulnerable about his addiction issues. He initially stated that he used alcohol to help him loosen up and feel comfortable with himself and his standup. “I was really outgoing, and then at 12, I wasn’t. I didn’t know how to act. And then I was drinking, and I was hilarious again. I wasn’t a good athlete, so maybe it was some young male thing of, ‘This is the physical feat I can do. Three Vicodin and a tequila and I’m still standing. Who’s the athlete now?’”
After having started using alcohol to increase his confidence, it became habit-forming behavior and he started to act out in social settings. Many times, his friends would be the only way he remembered what crazy stunts he had pulled the night before. It was during one night of blacking out and getting really outrageous that Mulaney decided that his addiction was going too far. In retrospection, Mulaney says he still wants to keep that transformational night private. “I’m never going to tell you. That’s mine. I didn’t kill anyone or assault anyone. But yeah, I was like, ‘You’re fu**ing out of control.’ And I thought to myself, ‘I don’t like this guy anymore,” he said.
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