The Mike Stand

Mike MacDonald

Mike Allen MacDonald (June 21, 1954 - March 17, 2018) known as the King of Comedy and a household name in Canada for his work as a stand-up comedian and actor. His credits list from writing and/or staring in many movies and tv shows, such as Mr. Nice Guy, to being the unofficial face of Canadian stand-up in the 90’s. MacDonald preformed his stand-up across North America and on TV shows such as the Late Show with David Letterman and The Arsenio Hall Show. During the height of his career, MacDonald moved his life to California and began to work in the American comedy circuit.

In 2011, MacDonald was diagnosed with hepatitis C. Due to the health issues and costs of care, he moved back to Ottawa from his home in Glendale CA, while his wife, Bonnie, remained in California organizing the sale of their house. By April 2012, the illness had progressed to the point where his liver and his kidneys began to shut down. He was put on the donor list waiting for a matching liver transplant. During this time, friends had rallied to organize a campaign collecting donations to support MacDonald and assist with covering his medical expenses. On March 17, 2013 MacDonald had been matched with a donor and underwent a successful seven-hour liver transplant operation.

Despite this set back and the long road to recovery ahead, MacDonald was determined to return to the stage once again. Due to complications from the medication from the surgery, he lost his memory, forcing him to start from scratch. He worked tirelessly over the next year to get back to full strength and relearn his craft. He soon returned to the stage at Yuk Yuks in Ottawa, writing new material based on his experience and relearning his older work.

He spent his remaining years doing what he loved and advising new comedians about the science of comedy. Making people laugh was his passion and he lived his passion until his untimely end in March 2018, exactly 5 years after his life changing surgery.

Howie Mandel

Actor, comedian, producer

Canadian comedian, actor and television host. He is best known as the host of the NBC game show Deal or No Deal, as well as the show's daytime and Canadian-English counterparts. Mandel began his career as a stand-up comedian, then went on to starred alongside Amy Steel in the comedy film Walk Like a Man. Before he shifted his career to become a beloved game show host, Mandel was best known for his role as rowdy ER intern Dr. Wayne Fiscus on the NBC medical drama St. Elsewhere. His other credits include creating and starring in the children's cartoon Bobby's World, as well as being a judge on NBC's America's Got Talent.

Marc Maron

Actor, comedian, podcaster

Maron’s known for a lot of things, from hosting of The Marc Maron Show, co-hosting of both Morning Sedition and Breakroom Live, politically oriented shows produced by Air America Media. He also hosted Comedy Central's Short Attention Span Theater for a year, replacing Jon Stewart and created the extremely popular WTF podcast. Maron was a frequent guest on the Late Show with David Letterman and made more than forty appearances on Late Night with Conan O'Brien, more than any other stand-up performer. He was also a regular guest on Tough Crowd with Colin Quinn and hosted the short-lived American version of the British game show Never Mind the Buzzcocks on VH1. He is currently known best for his role in GLOW and his stand-up specials on Netflix.

Bob Einstein

Actor, writer, producer

Stewart Robert Einstein is an American actor, comedy writer and producer, who is best known for creating and performing the satirical stuntman character Super Dave Osborne. Einstein got his start as a writer on several TV variety shows, including The Smothers Brothers Comedy Hour and The Sonny and Cher Comedy Hour. Einstein won two Emmy Awards as a writer and was nominated four other times. He also won a CableACE Award for acting as Super Dave, along with five other nominations.

Einstein is also well known for his roles as Marty Funkhouser in Curb Your Enthusiasm and Larry Middleman on Arrested Development.

Andy Kindler

Actor, comedian, writer

Andy Kindler is an actor and writer, known for Raising Dad, Skins, and Who's the Caboose? His stand-up material often covers the comedy industry itself and annually gives a humorous State of the Industry at the Montreal Just for Laughs Festival. His current credits include voicing Mort the Mortician on Bob’s Burgers.

Ritch Shydner

Actor, writer, producer

Comedy writer, actor, and producer with credits such as Al Bundy's co-worker and friend Luke Ventura on Married... with Children and guest appearances on other TV shows such as Designing Women, Roseanne and Dr. Katz, Professional Therapist. His film roles include Beverly Hills Cop II and Roxanne. He also preformed stand-up and along with comedian Mark Schiff, compiled stories of comedians on the road in a book called “I Killed”.

Howard Wagman

Owner of Yuk Yuk's Ottawa and Yuk Yuk's on Tour

Howard has close to 35 years experience as a Club Manager, Talent Developer and Booking Agent. His passion for comedy and his extensive experience helps to make Howard one of the most respected talent agents in the country.

Don Barris

Actor, comedian, podcaster

This one-time river boat gambler moved from Saginaw Township, Michigan to Hollywood and is now the audience warm-up on late night televisions Jimmy Kimmel Live. He credits also include hosting the Ding-Dong show weekly at the Comedy Store, running and staring in The Big Three Podcast and Windy City Heat.