If you recognize the incredibly beautiful and ridiculously hilarious Lindsay Ames from Funny or Die and College Humor, then you follow this funny lady’s every move on Twitter just to find out where you can catch her awesomeness next. The Vancouver-born actress and comedian, now based in Los Angeles, slays audiences with her comic genius at local LA haunts like Meltdown Comics and Downtown Independent when she’s not filming guest spots on shows like New Girl and Key and Peele, starring in short films like Actress, and scoring blockbuster movie roles opposite the likes of Channing Tatum (The Vow). We caught up with Ames to find out more about her life in comedy…
Give us a snippet about you. What should people know?
I was born and raised in Vancouver. Moved to Toronto to pursue an education in theater. I was really good at pretending I was a tree on fire. I’ve won awards for my short films and have been featured and commissioned by Funny or Die, College Humor and MTV. I’ve been on Key and Peele, New Girl and Tosh.O. I live in Los Angeles and perform around town at UCB, Downtown Independent, Meltdown Comics and other venues.
When did you know you were funny?
When I was 3 years-old I was in a car ride with my parents, aunt and uncle. Out of nowhere I asked, “Do Lesley and Tracy hump?” They roared with laughter. It felt good. I’ve been trying to make people laugh ever since. Along with that came many detentions and time-outs.
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Give us one of your jokes that has killed it in the past.
My ex-boyfriend wanted me to get some ribs removed, had to pick up a few extra jobs just to pay for it, now he’s gone, they’re gone… I guess that makes me the winner… Of a few extra jobs. Career woman. Anyone?
When you’re looking for new comedy material, where do you look for inspiration?
I look at a lot of my writing from the past and ideas just come to me. I have a million unmade, unfinished ideas/sketches and shorts.
Who have been some of the most influential comedians on your career and who are some of the funniest people alive today in your opinion?
I’ve had a lot of influences on my work: David Lynch, Kids in the Hall, Bob Odenkirk, David Cross, David Sedaris, Tracey Ullman, Larry David… One of my favourite movies is/was Welcome to the Dollhouse by Todd Solondz. Truly though, friends are some of the funniest, most creative people: Josh Saltzman, Kate Freund, James Pumphrey, Dan Galea, Melissa Stevens, Emily Maya Mills, Andrew Bush, Lauryn Kahn, Joe Wagner, all of Power Violence, Heather Ann Campbell, Katie Crown, Inessa Frantowski, George Basil, Sam Brown… The list could go on.
What have been some of the highlights of your career so far?
Being in the short film Actress was an incredible experience. Kate Freund, Kyle Reiter and Matthew Freund are beyond talented and make most creative people seem boring. Making Channing Tatum laugh repeatedly was pretty fulfilling. Getting to work with Keegan Key, Jordan Peele and Peter Atencio was another amazing experience.
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Any low points? Things you had to do for money you are possibly not proud of?
There are always a million low points. Having jobs fall through, messing up that one line in an audition. Getting stuck on the 101 with a full bladder and no way out for 40 more minutes. But the highs outweigh the lows.
What’s the big dream?
I would love to have all my work produced/made. My series, my webseries, my shorts. So anyone with a lot of money, feel free to hit me up.
Let’s get social for a mo’. How can people stay up-to-date with your busy life?
People can find me at LindsayAmes.com. That will link you to my Tumblr, YouTube, Funny or Die, College Humor and Twitter!
