Comic Sean Leary Donates Half His LAFFEST Winnings to Cedar-Sinai

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Sean Leary Photo

Comic Sean Leary donates half his LAFFEST winnings of $1000 to Cedars-Sinai Cancer Division.

The first LAFFEST Showcase Award recipient Sean Leary, who won on February 9th at the world-famous Hollywood Improv, donated $500 to help the cancer research division of Cedars-Sinai.

Sean Leary’s LAFFEST.com clip of his stand-up performance topped the rest in views and ratings. During an interview with LAFFEST Sean Leary commented:

LAFFEST: How does it feel to be the LAFFEST Showcase Leader…our first ever actually?

Sean: It feels amazing. I was totally NOT expecting to win. I was just incredibly happy, grateful, and excited to be invited to the showcase. To be the first person ever, it feels pretty great!

LAFFEST: What will do you do with your $1,000 award?

Sean: I am actually going to donate half of the winnings to the American Cancer Society. I am going to keep the other half to pay for a new fuel pump I just had installed into my terrible car. I may have some left over for some friends who’ve helped me out before.

LAFFEST: That’s great! What is your connection with the organization, if any?

Sean: I do not really have a ‘connection’ with the ACS, but my sister was diagnosed with skin cancer this past summer and some other friends and family members of mine have battled the deadly disease. I never expected to have this money, so I want to do some good with it, ya know?

LAFFEST: We hear you. It’s a great cause. So, how did you mobilize your network of fans and friends to get you to the top of laffest.com video views and ratings?

Sean: It was actually a really interesting process. I found just simply posting the video on my social media sites was only good enough to get likes/shares/and comments. I then messaged some friends individually to try and rate the video and leave their thoughts. Apparently the video got around at work, my hometown, and other places I never expected. It was great to get a lot of positive feedback.

LAFFEST: Our next digital Showcase just started on laffest.com, any tips for comics that are entering on how to come out on top?

Sean: My advice would be to try and push the video to people who are really going to take the time to check it out. Text, call, email, and DM close friends and relatives and see if they can take three minutes to help out.

LAFFEST: What’s your motivation for doing comedy?

Sean: My motivation for comedy is simple— I LOVE to make people laugh and I sincerely enjoy the positive energy of other happy people. I feel at home on stage and after shows interacting with audiences. I don’t aspire to be a famous comedian or movie star, I just want to live comfortably and enjoy brightening people’s days.

LAFFEST: Congratulations again, any final thoughts?

Sean: I’m still in awe of all that transpired. I did not expect to win. I am in the process of reaching out to the ACS as well as making calls back home to thank people for helping out. I would also like to thank everyone at LAFFEST – Jeff, Ron, Gary, Lisa, and Cort. I also owe a big shout out to Jay Davis for hosting a killer show and gracing me with some nice/uplifting words backstage during the show. I can’t thank everyone involved enough and have really cherished this experience. Thank you. SINCERELY.

www.laffest.com/showcase

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