Talent Inquiry

What makes comedian Chris Fonseca laugh? Usually one word — legend… 21 years into doing stand-up, many of his opening acts as well as some media types, use the word in relation to Fonseca. The veteran comic smiles, then chuckles. Legend, “How do I keep my cape from getting caught in my wheelchair,” Fonseca deadpans. The wheelchair is part of the equation, due to a combination of being born with Cerebral Palsy and car accidents. In more reflective moments, he feels obligated to live up to his accolades. In February 2003, Fonseca shared the stage with truly legendary singer Jose Feliciano and Latin sensation Jon Secada at a benefit for the Latin American Educational Foundation in Denver, Colorado. Fonseca, a Colorado native, carried his weight on the show in a night that cumulatively raised 1 million in funds for scholarships. Fonseca is 41. Although by family origin this is not even middle age. The late Calletano Fonseca Sr. lived to be 100. His latest TV gig was on The Latino Laugh Festival — The Show on the SITV network. Among his other prominent TV appearances, he has shined on CBS’ The Late Show with David Letterman, HBO’s Loco Slam, PBS’ Look Who’s Laughing and ABC’s 9th Annual American Comedy Awards. Also, on the small screen Fonseca took a jab at acting in an episode of the mega hit show, Baywatch. He has released 2 CDs, 1997’s Not Tonight, I Have Cerebral Palsy…and 2001’s Get in the Van. A follow-up is in the works. The discs have gained airplay coast to coast, on radio programs such as The Howard Stern Show and Los Angeles’ KLOS’ Five O’clock Funnies. Clips from both albums are frequently played on XM Satellite Radio. His often started autobiography, Daddy Where Do Jokes Come From? is scheduled to be completed by summer’s end. The book of essays is a verbal history of his life, dedicated to the most important people in his life, his 5 kids. Fonseca also has recently started a series of stand-up concerts, titled, Fonseca and Friends. The shows feature a mix of comics who he has befriended, both veteran and unknowns in a celebration of the best stand-up has to offer. Many may agree the tag “Legend” is befitting. Fonseca answers, “Hey, I’m just getting started.”