JJ Curry

JJ Curry is the kind of comic that leaves a strong mark on you. It's not entirely because of the amazing timing of recording the Sunday before Curry was crowned the 2025 Cap City Comedy Club's Funniest Person in Austin, though I can't deny the exuberant joy of giving Curry a high five as he passed my table at the club on his way to the stage to don the winner's cape and crown. I think it has to do with his humble yet extremely self-aware nature. To get a glimpse into how he came to be that way, we need to go into the wayback machine.

JJ Curry grew up surrounded by comedy, influenced by his mother’s love for stand-up and exposure to shows like Def Comedy Jam and Kings of Comedy. The influence of his mom is evident throughout our conversation, which makes this mom take notice. Despite all of the comedy he watched and grew up with, he never considered performing until after his military service concluded—a military service that was short-lived due to developing an autoimmune disease.

His first foray into comedy wasn't even intentional. While working security at a club next to a comedy venue, a producer had taken note of how easily Curry made others laugh and encouraged him to come perform at the next open mic. His confidence was there as he admits "I always knew I could be funny when I need to be." He just needed the right person, at the right time, in the right place to give him the encouragement to take the first step.

Curry is sure of himself. His comedic style is shaped by both his upbringing and his experiences performing for diverse audiences in Florida. He shares that whether he's performing for white rooms, black rooms, or anything in between, his set is the same. He knows who he is and knows that his jokes have universal appeal.

He prides himself on being adaptable, working clean, and focusing on genuine connection rather than fitting into a specific comedic label.

Working clean, you say? Until he said the words out loud, I hadn't even noticed that his material was generally clean. He’s self-taught, learning from watching specials and analyzing performance techniques. The studying paid off (and not just on 2025 FPIA Finals night). Curry captivates his audience without even uttering a single word. It's that slight giggle punctuated with a unique greeting, "What up, tho?" The greeting is a nod to a friend in Detroit. But the one-two punch of the giggle and greeting disarms the audience and prepares them for an adventurous ride into an incredible set.

Curry committed to full-time comedy in 2019. He'd met his goals in Florida and a friend in New York City encouraged him to make the move to the big apple. Unfortunately, his autoimmune disease didn't respond well to the New York City pollution. And, stage time was limited during Covid, so the allure of the usual promise of the NYC comedy scene wasn't worth the risk to his health. He didn't know much about Austin (but he knew he was never going to be one of those new guard comics the scene had become known for), but he had an inkling that the blend of city and non-city living that the city had to offer would be good for his health. Maybe, it would also be good for his comedy career.

And so in October of 2024, Austin welcomed its newest resident comic. Yup, that's right, Just a year into his residency, he's made quite a splash. He landed a Kill Tony set and earned himself not only the coveted KT notebook, but a spot on Redban's Secret Show, and yes, earned the 2025 Funniest Person in Austin crown.

He signed up for the annual Cap City Comedy Club contest because he'd heard other comics talk about it. He had no idea about the prize money (or the crown and cap tradition), just knew that performing in front of one of the big clubs in Austin could land him future opportunities to demonstrate his skills. And, a new washer and dryer (see photo below). You'll have to listen to the podcast for that gem.

One of the ways Curry leaves his mark on you is it's evident he values being true to himself over chasing popularity, preferring to let his work speak for itself. In Austin, he’s found a balance between community and individuality. You won't find him out at the clubs at all hours. He works at Sunset Strip which offers him ample stage time, he tours the country, and he knows what he's capable of when he grabs the microphone. And that's "what up".