Concern Foundation - Brad Garrett Article

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Brad Garrett Article

Everyone loves Raymond. And, everyone also loves his brother. Well known as "Robert Barone" in the aforementioned sitcom, Brad Garrett's life as an entertainer spans back 20 years before ever meeting Ray Romano.

Garrett's ambition to become a stand-up comedian began at the young age of 14. He frequently performed at school, temple, and bar mitzvahs. A few years later, Garrett was admitted to the theater program at UCLA, only to drop out of college within six weeks. "I'm all about encouraging children to go to college. I want my own children to go," says Garrett. "But the truth is, I wasn't college material. Having had only a small taste of the entertainment industry, it was the only thing I could think about." He recalls his father's reaction to him dropping out as uneasy, but understanding. "My dad always said, 'If you have something to fall back on, you'll fall back.'"

With those wise words, Garrett became completely engaged in establishing himself as a stand-up comedian. He began performing at various comedy clubs such as the Ice House in Pasadena and The Improv in Hollywood. After leaving enough laughing audiences with an effortless ab workout, Garrett found himself center stage on The Tonight Show Starring Johnny Carson. At the age of 23, this made him one of the youngest comedians ever to perform on the program.

Garrett's career took off. He headlined at national venues and earned opening spots with legends like Frank Sinatra, Diana Ross, and Sammy Davis, Jr. Furthermore, what once were commercials to help him get by now turned into guest roles on shows like Roseanne and Mad About You. And who could forget his signature role as the obsessive mechanic on Seinfeld?

Now in the last season of Everyone Loves Raymond, Garrett looks back at the road traveled with humble satisfaction. Contrary to the long rigid climb many celebrities go through on their way to the top, he feels thankful - for every minute on television, every stage performance... every laugh.

In fact, when the cameras on the set of Raymond stop rolling, Garrett will take a break from the world of television to once again perform stand-up comedy. He will appear with Ray Romano at the Mirage in Las Vegas November 12 and 13 and then go on a comedy tour in Australia. He has respectfully declined the possibility of doing a Raymond spin-off, recognizing the genuine chemistry between characters the writers of the show were able to create. His experience in television has taught him that even with the best actors, a show cannot succeed without talented writers.

Yet, more than anything, Garrett's career in entertainment has given him a valuable outlook on life. This vantage point didn't come from the set of Raymond, two Emmy Awards, the paparazzi, or even from standing at 6 feet 8-1/2 inches tall. It came from his fans.

"Humor is healing," Garrett affirms. "You take away all the other luxuries in life, and if you can make someone smile and laugh, you have given the most special gift: happiness."

Not too long ago, Garrett received a phone call from a woman visiting her mother at the hospital. The woman explained that her mother suffers from leukemia, but that they watch Everyone Loves Raymond every day and it is one of the few things that brings a smile to her mother's face. She thanked Garrett.

Touched so much by her phone call, both Garrett and Romano routinely called the woman's mother to express their well-wishes. "This is what it is all about," says Garrett. "When you receive a phone call like that, everything else comes into perspective - the last deal that didn't go through; being disappointed that a line didn't get the intended reaction - it's all very minor in comparison to what many people go through."

Inspired by people like the woman above (who has since passed away), Garrett has become involved with charities like the Dream Foundation and Concern Foundation. He recently donated to the Concern Foundation a 2003 Indian Chief motorcycle fiven to him by the Stunt Men's Association. The motorcycle will be auctioned by Bonhams & Butterfields at the Petersen Automotive Museum on November 13. The Concern Foundation raises money to fund scientists leading the fight against cancer.

Beyond donating, Garrett's contributions to these charities often resemble what he does best - entertaining. Recently, he and game-show host Monty Hall led the live auction for the Concern Foundation's 30th Annual Block Party.

Garrett attends events like these numerous times per year. And while public perception of celebrity participation in charity fundraisers is often expected, most people don't realize the arduous hours involved with rehearsal and production. To that Garrett replies, "Any person who has the luxury to do what they want for a living should give back." His ability to do that, connect with his fans, and the love he receives from his family make him feel blessed. "If I lose it all [fame], I would still have it all."

Ironically, for a man who didn't think he was college material, he seems to have life's most important lessons figured out.

- David Krissman