Ralphie May

Ralphie May’s popularity exploded after the success of NBC’s hit reality series, “Last Comic Standing,” when America thought he was robbed of the winner’s title during the first season. But, coming in second place has not stopped him from becoming one of the most recognizable comedians in the country.

His first CD and DVD, Just Correct, released in 2004 by Melee Entertainment, a division of Dreamworks, has reached platinum sales status. Ralphie’s second CD and DVD, titled Girth Of A Nation, is produced by Parallel Entertainment and will be released on Warner Bros./Jack Records on November 11th. The concert was shot at The Tennessee Theatre in Knoxville, TN, and will also be featured in a Comedy Central special in early November.

Known for his hip-hop brand of comedy, Ralphie May has his Ebonics and quick wit down pat, which has earned him roles in such urban films as For Da Love Of Money and Gas. He has gained notoriety from being an equal-opportunity offender with a political incorrectness and plain-spoken truth-telling in his routines that is reminiscent of rap. With catch phrases such as “Yeah…. I said it,” this detail becomes more intriguing when considered along with his Southern drawl, and even his laugh.

Most recently, Ralphie participated in VH-1’s first season of “Celebrity Fit Club,” in which eight celebrities bravely stepped forward and acknowledged that they’ve been losing the battle of the bulge. Ralphie has struggled with his weight since he was a teen. At the age of 16, he was in a car accident that left him in a coma for 10 days, with 42 broken bones, and which was the cause of his weight gain. Weighing in at over 400 pounds, he doesn’t rely on his weight as a physical prop or crutch. “I could do a whole hour of fat jokes easy,” says Ralphie. “The challenge is coming up with material anybody could use.” Ralphie rails about the Hollywood bias against overweight people, “It isn’t a fat joke… it’s a prejudice joke.” He talks about the time he auditioned for the role of a fat person, only to be told he was too overweight. “Too fat to play fat?” And he describes the time he did a showcase for one of the late-night talk shows and they told him he was the best comic of the bunch, but that because of his size he’d never get booked. “Comedy is not about appearance, it’s about rockin’ a mic,” he says. “Are they laughing? That’s the only test.”

Having caught the comedy bug at a young age, May entered a radio station-sponsored talent show while attending the University of Arkansas, to which the winner would get to open for Sam Kinison. A dream came true... Ralphie won the contest and after the show, Sam turned to Ralphie and said, "That was the funniest thing I've ever seen in my life." Later on, May moved, at Kinison’s suggestion, to Houston to work on his craft before heading out to Los Angeles. Since his move to Los Angeles, he has since worked as a comedian, actor, writer and producer on ESPN's Mohr Sports starring Jay Mohr and had four appearances on CBS's The Late Late Show with Craig Kilborn as well as eleven appearances on Jimmy Kimmel Live. He has been seen on The Man Show and MTV’s Bash as well as in guest-starring roles on numerous television shows including NBC’s Whoopie. And if that’s not enough…. On one of his recent appearances on The Tonight Show with Jay Leno, he received a standing ovation, the first comedian in 10 years to receive this honor.