Cathy Ladman is a  stand-up comedian, television writer, and actor. She was featured in her own installment of HBO’s One Night Stand comedy series, and has been a guest on The Tonight Show on nine occasions as well as TV shows like Roseanne, Dr. Katz, Professional Therapist, Caroline in the City (in a recurring role), and Everybody Loves Raymond. She won an American Comedy Award for Best Female Stand-Up Comic in 1992.

Cathy appeared on the Late Late Show with Craig Ferguson last night, and she gave us a little glimpse into her life to share along with the performance!

When did you first realize you were hilarious?

I think in kindergarten I used to do an impression of my school principal, the ancient Miss Carol (sp)?

Be honest, how rough were the first open mics?/ what was your worst stage experience?

They were okay, those first ones. Up and down. But I don’t remember them being devastating. My worst stage experience, if not one of my worst, was when I’d been doing stand-up for about a year. I took Amtrak to Philly and did a show at the Taproom, I believe, in Ambler, PA. (I think these are accurate names, but, who knows)? Anyway, I was wearing a cute, casual cotton summer skirt, and doing my act, and the audience starting murmuring, then talking, then heckling, and then things started hitting the stage. So, here’s what I did: I said, “Thank you, good night,” and left the stage. I said “Thank you”!!!! Jesus. Then, my best friend, Kathy, who still lived in Philly, at the time, and who is still my best friend, and I drove to a Friendly’s and ate something, and I cried. She wrote me a note and drew a picture on a napkin, and I kept it for years, until I think it may have gotten lost in a move in the past few years. It said, “You are very funny. If you ever need to know just call me, and I will tell you.”

How long did it take you to find your comedic voice, and how did you find it?

My comedic voice is really who I am, and I think it didn’t take me too long to relax into it on stage. And as I change, it changes (I hope).

What do you want the future to hold for Cathy Ladman?

A lot more acting, in TV and film. A lot more employment in those venues. And stand-up in theaters.

What would you tell your 18-year-old self?

Do it. Travel. Take the time to explore. Don’t doubt yourself. You have all you need. You are enough. Accept yourself.

Slutty but Funny

Natalie Wall likes to think she is a female comedian but the reality is she’s a NYC girl trying to make it big. If she’s not writing in her blog, Awkward Sex and the City, she’s spraying vanilla icing on a mini donut or thinking of ways to kill Dora from Dora the Explorer. Help her, humor her and fall in love with the pale pasty princess straight out of Compton (not really).