Willie Barcena is proud to say he's just an everyday guy, but this former security guard / plumber / roofer / limo driver now headlines comedy clubs across the country and is a favorite on the Tonight Show with Jay Leno.
Willie always knew he wanted to work with people, but initially he didn't know how he could reach his goal. Always the class clown and entertainer, he decided to try his hand at comedy. He took a chance on open mic night at The Comedy Store in Los Angeles and has never looked back.
Willie's blue-collar upbringing and people skills enable him to connect with a wide array of cultures, yet his performances are always able to maintain his own pride and cultural awareness without perpetuating any Latino stereotypes. His philosophy: know who you are and have people laugh with you, not at you.
Growing up in the diversity of Los Angeles taught Willie that people have more similarities than differences. He takes that knowledge and uses it to create humor that crosses the cultural and economic boundaries of America. His street-smart wit along with his mother's "Just use common sense, dummy!" attitude has impressed Jay Leno enough to bring Willie back for nine Tonight Show appearances.
On Stage Willie relates hilarious stories about the numerous characters that pepper his life including: his anal-retentive bosses, a mucho macho Archie Bunker uncle, and his numerous relationships with women like "Psycho Chick" and "Bitter Broad."
Willie's comedy is also rich with stories of his humble beginnings in East L.A. "I didn't know we were poor I would just walk around saying, 'Damn, my mom is stingy'." Or there's the story about his cousin who was always trying to get him to join a gang. "Tito, with two black eyes, arm in a sling and crutches saying, Hey, Willie, Homes, why don't you join the gang? You get protection!"
In addition to performing, Willie writes on a regular basis. He performed in and wrote a one-man show called "Cry Like a Man" and has done script writing for the Nickelodeon television show "The Brothers Garcia."
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