While attending Arizona State University, Jann Karam performed stand-up comedy at open mic nights at a Mexican food restaurant in Scottsdale. She was paid one chimichanga per joke. After developing her act (and gaining 13 pounds), Jann moved to New York City, where she began working as a professional comedian.
The LA Times has called Jann “a woman blessed with looks, talent and the gift of restraint,” and the New York Times credits her as “a comedic breakthrough.”
Her numerous TV credits include The Tonight Show, The Late Show with David Letterman, HBO’S Young Comedians Special, The Arsenio Hall Show, Seinfeld, Mad about You, How to Live with Your Parents (for the Rest of Your Life), Politically Incorrect, Norm, Dr. Katz, and many others. As a stand-up, she headlines across the country and regularly tours with SNL alumnus Dana Carvey.
Jann wrote and directed an award-winning short-film, Under the Big Muu-Muu, and has released two successful comedy albums—Live at the Blue Loon and Same Guy, Different Shirt—and, when scheduling permits, performs her critically acclaimed solo play Reclining Nude on La Cienega in Los Angeles theaters. She’s also written a book based on Reclining Nude’s theme: a contemporary woman’s struggle to find peace and authenticity (and maybe a man who knows how properly to use a fork) amid life’s chaos.
Of Jann’s work, Larry David raves, “She was good when I saw her. “