Jim Norton is always on. Doesn’t matter if he’s on stage or not. Interview the comedian, and many of his answers could well be part of his stand-up routine.
Asked how he developed his comedic style, Norton says “It’s my inner monologue, which was crafted from years of being rejected by women and sucking at sports.”
As for the people he grew up emulating, Norton replies “Ted Bundy, but not for his crimes. I owned a Volkswagen Beetle and could never get the passenger seat out, so I admired Ted’s prowess as a handyman.”
What do you expect from a funnyman, one with a New Jersey pedigree? Born in Bayonne, Norton’s formative years were spent in North Brunswick, a bit north of Millville, where he performs at the Levoy Theatre on Friday, November 1. But he doesn’t have an inkling where Millville is or even if it exists. “I have never heard of it. I am convinced I’m being pranked and it’s not even a real place in New Jersey.”
Norton has had a varied career. Specials. Comedy albums. Podcasts, movies and television. What’s left to conquer? Well, nothing. “What I’d like to do is go back and finally do podcasts, movies, TV and stand-up correctly.”
Norton would like to conquer singing. “I’m a big fan of Yoko Ono and have been trying to learn how to bellow into a microphone like a wounded buffalo.”
Argh. Poor Yoko.
Let’s get a bit serious for a moment or two. After becoming a stand-up comedian in 1990, Norton spent his early years developing his act. His appearances on The Louie Show attracted the attention of comedian Andrew Dice Clay in 1997, who chose Norton to open for him, according to Stand-up List. He gained initial prominence as third mic on the radio show Opie and Anthony, with Gregg “Opie” Hughes and Anthony Cumia, from 2001 to 2014.
He had a recurring role on the sitcom Lucky Louie.
In 2014, Norton hosted The Jim Norton Show, a talk show on Vice. He has written two books, which made the New York Times Bestseller list: Happy Endings: The Tales of a Meaty-Breasted Zilch and I Hate Your Guts.
He’s co-hosted The Jim Norton & Sam Roberts Show on SiriusXM satellite radio since 2016. A New Yorker these days, Norton also co-hosts the official podcast of Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC), “UFC Unfiltered with Jim Norton & Matt Serra.”
Since 2003, Norton has released four comedy albums and seven comedy specials on channels including Netflix, MAX, Hulu, and Amazon. Throughout his career he has made multiple appearances on late night talk shows, and has appeared in several television shows and films, including Martin Scorsese’s, The Irishman.
New Jersey is known for its contributions to the entertainment arts, especially comics. Norton has a reason for that. “I’m guessing it’s because we’re too ugly to model.”
But seriously, living in New Jersey does have an impact on a comedic style. “The more traffic you sit in, the more miserable you become, the more aggressive you are on stage,” Norton says.
The show at the Levoy is part of Norton’s “Now You Know” tour. How long does that last?
“I am on and off the road probably until the end of 2025,” he says. “I stay home until my wife and I almost hate each other, then heroically save the marriage by going on the road.”
His performance lasts about an hour. “If you’re talking about me in bed, about half the time it took to write this sentence.”
He updates content constantly on the road. “Depending on what’s going on in my personal life,” he says. “By the end of the tour, half the show will be different.”
For more witty comments, catch Jim Norton on November 1 at the Levoy Theatre, 126-130 North High Street in Millville. (It really exists Jim!) Showtime is 8 p.m. For tickets, visit levoy.net or call 856-327-6400.
