Way back in 2008, Billy Gardell was a headlining comic with a few high-profile TV credits including recurring roles on My Name is Earl and Desperate Housewives.
At that time, he told CityBeat, “I love the stand-up performances, but I like the acting money better.” In fact, he was unabashed about his approach to TV. “Ultimately,” he told us, “I want to get on a show for four years, then disappear and go golf.”
Two years later, he began co-starring in the massive hit sitcom Mike & Molly. But instead of winding up on a golf course when the series finished its run in 2016, he continued working.
He can currently be found in a new TV series, Bob Hearts Abishola. He’s also still touring the country doing stand-up, only now he’s headlining theaters.
7:30 Sunday, Oct. 20. $37.50-$47.50. Taft Theatre, 317 E. Fifth St., Downtown, tafttheatre.org.