Billy Gardell brings his stand-up to Sarasota

Most of us became aware of Billy Gardell six years ago, when his hit TV sitcom Mike and Molly made stars of both he and Melissa McCarthy. He's done a lot of other comic acting, including recurring roles in "My Name Is Earl" and "Desperate Housewives," and in films ranging from "Jersey Boys" to "Bad Santa." But he started out as a stage comedian, and he's never stopped doing stand-up. He'll be at Van Wezel performing Arts Hall in Sarasota on Friday with his stand-up act.

Gardell spent much of his childhood up in Winter Park. When he was a teenager he had a menial job in comedy club there, and started performing at open mic nights. It wasn't long before he was opening for some of the biggest comedy acts in the country.

He released one comedy album, "Billy Gardell: Throwback," in 2006, several years before "Mike & Molly." He also has a Comedy Central special, "Halftime," that's available on DVD.

"Mike & Molly" is being discontinued after this season, but Gardell will be on TV again in November in "Million Dollar Quartet," the CMT miniseries based on the Broadway musical about Johnny Cash, Elvis Presley, Carl Perkins and Jerry Lee Lewis. Gardell plays Col. Tom Parker, Elvis' manager.

Details: 8 p.m. April 29, Van Wezel Performing Arts Hall, 777 N. Tamiami Trail, Sarasota. Tickets: $40-$55. Information: 941-953-3368, vanwezel.org.

-- Marty Clear

This story was originally published April 27, 2016 at 6:09 PM with the headline "Billy Gardell brings his stand-up to Sarasota ."