Hometown: North Providence
Website: oceanstatefollies.com
Bio: CHARLIE HALL is known by many as Rhode Island’s State Jester. He is the creative force behind Ocean State Follies, producer of the RI COMEDY FESTIVAL, and co-creator of RHODE BYTES, a local sketch-type show appearing on NBC 10 and its website. The RISD grad’s also made guest appearances on all local radio and TV stations, emceed hundreds of events and fundraisers, and interestingly enough is a talented courtroom atist for local and network television stations. He has owned and managed 2 comedy clubs, and consults on all types of comedy-related events.
He has performed as a stand-up comic since 1980 and has appeared on several national TV shows, such as the Joan Rivers Show, Caroline’s Comedy Hour, MTV Half Hour Comedy Hour, Evening At the Improv, America’s Funniest People and Star Search ’93, where he was a semi-finalist. He has also appeared as the opening act for more shows at the Warwick Musical Theater than any other person. These acts include Chicago, Natalie Cole, The Temptations, Sam Kinison, Frankie Valli, Reba McIntire, Charlie Daniels, Rosie O’Donnell and Jerry Seinfeld among many others.
In 1993, 1997, and 1998 Rhode Island Monthly Magazine voted Ocean State Follies as the state’s Best Comedy Show; in 1994, ’95, and ’96 the magazine voted Charlie as Rhode Island’s Best Comedian. His editorial cartoons appear in all area newspapers including the 2005 to 2010 Editions of the Best Editorial Cartoons of the Year (in North America). He is also the publisher of 3 books – the last two, cartoon books on life and politics in RI called HOT SKETCH, and HOT SKETCH 2: The Independent Funnyman.
If this all weren’t enough, Charlie also wrote the words for a song called “Rhode Island, It’s For Me” that has become the official state song of RI in 1995.
Contact Charlie at charliehall@cox.net, or follow him on Facebook.
