Louie Anderson still big, finds footing as award-winning actor

Louie Anderson recalled filming the FX television series "Baskets" a few years ago, dressed as a woman.

He portrayed Christine, the mother of Zach Galifianakis, an actor who plays a failed professional clown in Paris who becomes a rodeo clown in Bakersfield, California.

Anderson — who performs stand-up Thursday through Sunday at Off The Hook Comedy Club in North Naples — in October received an Emmy as Best Supporting Actor in a Comedy Series for the character. He edged out fellow nominees including Ty Burrell (Phil on "Modern Family") and Keegan-Michael Key ("Key & Peele" on Comedy Central).

"I’m proud of the job I’ve done and the character," Anderson said in a recent telephone interview. "I really risked a lot, of being ridiculed. When you’re shooting it and there’s nobody there, how do you know what you’re doing? I had faith. And dug deep and thought what would my mom do, what would my sisters do."

The acting experience, he said, has improved his comedy because perhaps he's not afraid to take even more chances.

“I think that it opened up my stand-up and opened up all my acting possibilities. It opened another chance to reach people, which is my secret desire," he said.

“There’s another level that people are more open to. I think people say, 'Hey I never expected to be able to do something like that. I didn’t’ think you had it in you,' which is kind of a backhanded compliment, I guess.”

Anderson's Off The Hook shows in February 2016 were canceled because he learned of the death of his youngest brother, Tommy, just beforehand.

The comedian became choked up when discussing it during the recent interview.

“The hardest thing in life is losing a baby brother,” he said.

So who makes the comedian laugh when he's sad? Anderson replied it's the small things he observes in life that crack him up.

“I love when somebody pushes on a pull door. Nothing make me laugh and feel happier," he said. "Or tripping over an imaginary something. I just think those kind of things, me looking for something in my pocket, and search for it a thousand times and asking, 'where did I put it?' "

Anderson said his stand-up will focus on F-words:  family, food, being fat, being over 50.

He also will touch on history somewhat.

“A lot of people talk about Russia but the Russia I talk about is about (former Soviet leader Nikita) Khrushchev and what my dad thought about Russia," he said.

“I don’t dwell on politics. What I know is this: People need a good laugh and I’ve got a good laugh to give them. And that seems to be a serious responsibility for these times.”

Anderson said upcoming projects include working on a movie based on his popular 1990s TV show "Life With Louie," an animated series based loosely on Anderson's younger self. He also plans to begin filming for the third season of "Baskets" in September, which is to begin airing in January.

Off The Hook owner Brien Spina said Anderson always delivers a fun set that the Naples crowd enjoys.

"It's an honor anytime we get to host one of the world's best comedians and Louie is named top 100 by Comedy Central of all time," Spina said.

Anderson, 64, said he continues to enjoy performing stand-up, a career he began more than 30 years ago.

“When people come to my show ... what I’m worried about is relieving people's everyday troubles that we have," he said. "I try to find a little humor in these silly lives we lead.

"I don’t’ preach but there's definitely a message, that we’re all in the same boat and it’s very crowded.”

If you go

Louie Anderson

When: 7 p.m. Friday and Sunday; 6 and 8 p.m. Saturday

Where: Off The Hook Comedy Club, 2500 Vanderbilt Beach Road, Suite 1100

Cost: $25 general admission; $35 VIP; $200 VIP suite for five (excluding fees) 

Information: offthehookcomedy.com or 239-389-6901