Ant

Hyper, irreverent, and "...so gay, I can put a lisp in the word 'cracker,'" the performer known simply as Ant resolved to pursue stand-up after catching Whoopi Goldberg's solo HBO special. Early club work in his hometown of Londonderry, NH, convinced him to relocate to Los Angeles in 1989 in pursuit of film and television opportunities. Recognition arrived swiftly. Spots on the WB's For Your Love, E!'s Talk Soup, and a recurring monthly co-hosting slot on the syndicated Ricki Lake Show quickly elevated his profile, resulting in Ant becoming the sole comedian featured across each of the first three seasons of NBC's smash hit Last Comic Standing. A part in Dirk Shafer's Circuit opened the door to cinema, followed by a role in the Sundance favorite Twin Falls, Idaho. Additional regular work soon included serving as a celebrity panelist on the syndicated hit game show To Tell the Truth, acting as a weekly correspondent on CNBC's The Dennis Miller Show, and performing stand-up on Comedy Central's Premium Blend. That Comedy Central connection yielded his debut album, Follow My Ass, issued through the network's own label in 2004.