Young Filipino American comedian and musician JR De Guzman is the winner of NBC’s comic talent diversity program, StandUp NBC.
De Guzman, a former music teacher who has performed stand-up from Stand-Up Tokyo in Japan to the Jokers Ball in Indonesia and the Badaboom Comedy Series in Amsterdam, uses both music and comedy to talk to audiences about his life.
He has since appeared on MTV’s “Acting Out,” Comedy Central’s “Hart of the City” and in Hulu’s “Coming to the Stage.” His first comedy album, “Dual Citizen,” comes out Feb. 24.
De Guzman performs at StandUp NBC finale (Courtesy photo – Michael Desmond/NBC)
De Guzman was one of eight finalists out of an initial audition of more than 600, and joins a prestigious list of past program winners and alumni, which include Deon Cole (“Blackish”), Ron Funches (“Powerless”) and W. Kamau Bell (“United Shades of America.”)
“JR is a unique comic talent who impressed us with his presence and genuine optimism,” said Grace Wu, a casting executive at NBC Entertainment.
De Guzman’s will headline at a convention by the National Association for Campus Activities, and the program’s regional semi-finalist showcases later this year.
NBCUniversal’s Talent Infusion Programs, of which StandUp NBC is one, aims to put more talents of underrepresented communities on and behind the screen. StandUp NBC is now in its 13th year. “I’m proud that our efforts continue to bring new voices to key industry decisions makers,” said Karen Horne, senior vice president of NBC Entertainment and Universal Television Studios’ programming talent development and inclusion.
Check out De Guzman performing at Flappers Comedy Club in Burbank a couple years ago:
