Felipe Esparza: Dreams Do Come True!

Last Comic Standing Winner
Last night, as millions of people watched live, veteran comedian Felipe Esparza descended from the rafters of the stage with the other 4 finalists and in the end, became the  winner of NBC’s Last Comic Standing seventh season.

“I got a wedgie coming down from the ceiling in the swing and my leg fell asleep!”

Dreams from the hood
Esparza, who grew up in the Boyle Heights neighborhood of East L.A., has been practicing his craft for over 16 years. When he talked to AmericasComedy.Com (“What’s Up Fool”)  last month, he joked about how in the hood, “dreams take a break.”

Not today. Not for Esparza.

“I remember a quote from Oprah Winfrey when she won the Oscar for ‘The Color Purple.’ She said to all of the kids out there, ‘Dreams Do Come True.’ Today, I finally get recognition for doing something that I love,”  he said proudly.

The Top 5 Finalists
“When I was standing there with the top five (finalists), I was standing next to four of the best comics I have ever had the opportunity to work with. Mike DeStefano, Myq Kaplan, Tommy Johnagin, and Roy Wood Jr. I really thought it was going to go down between Mike DeStefano, Roy Woods Jr. and me. I was so paranoid when they said my name that I just didn’t hear it.”

Trappings of Success
After appearing at the wrap party in Beverly Hills and visiting some home town comedy clubs in east Los Angeles that held Last Comic Standing viewing parties after the show, Esparza began accepting the trappings of his new status.

“My girlfriend and I slept for about four hours last night before I had to head to an audition this morning.”

“Gabriel Iglasias, Paul Rodriguez, Alex Reymundo, Anjelah Johnson, Russel Peters were there first people to call me yesterday,” Esparza said proudly. “As soon as I made it into the top 10, I was getting a lot of meetings. “The suits’ were coming out of everywhere!”

With his first commitment already set – Esparza, DeStefano, Kaplan, Johnagin and Woods are embarking on a 65 stop nation wide Last Comic Standing tour beginning September 8, 2010 and ending February 20, 2011 – he is already contemplating an “End of The World 2012 ” comedy tour with his above mentioned friends: Iglesias, Rodriguez, Johnson and Peters.

Comedian and Movie Star
Esparza, also wants to do more acting. He is staring in a soon to be released movie with actor, comedian and producer Paul Rodriguez, called “I’m Not Like That No More.” It is anticipated that the win last night increases the chances for a more wide spread theatrical release.

Felipe On Tour
Now that Esparza is wearing the crown that only 6 other comedians have worn, you will need to track him as he criss crosses the country on his tours. You can check out his website,  www.FelipesWorld.Com for all tour date information.

Congratulations Felipe. Those of us that rooted for you are proud of your success.

You can also listen to (and buy) Esparza’s latest acclaimed CD, “Rebound Material” at Amazon and iTunes.

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