MAL Z. LAWRENCE

One of the most acclaimed actors and comedians of our time, Mal Z. Lawrence is equally at home performing on the Broadway stage as he is delivering his clever and unique comedic views of the world in front of screaming audiences in the Catskill Mountains or Miami Beach. He has also displayed his many talents and virtuosity as an actor to filmgoers and television viewers.

On Broadway, Mal Z. had audiences gasping for breath between laughs when he co-starred in "Catskills on Broadway." He subsequently returned to the Great White Way in Leonard Bernstein's "Candide," the hit revival staged by Hal Prince. He has also appeared in the national company of Neil Simon's "Laughter on the Twenty. Third Floor" and at the Public Theatre in "The Petrified Prince."

The legendary comedian, who made his screen debut in "Surprize," recently appeared with Bette Midler and Nathan Lane in the feature film "Isn't She Great." His other recent films include "Rounders," starring Matt Damon and John Malkovich," and "Over The Moon," with Diane Lane. Over the years, Mal Z. has made many TV appearances on "The Tonight Show," "Merv Griffin Show," "Good Morning, America," "Comedy Central" and "Live With Regis And Kathie Lee."

Over the past 30 years, Mal Z. has entertained nightclub audiences in Las Vegas, Atlantic City, the Catskill Mountains and the Florida winter circuit. It all started when he was drafted into the Army and discovered he could avoid any Friday night work details by performing stand-up comedy at the Officers Clubs. He then entered the All-Army Talent Contest and won first prize - a spot on "The Ed Sullivan Show."

When it came time for his comedic training, Mal Z. went the route every young comic took at the time - The Catskill Mountains. He later was hired by Tony Bennett to work as his opening act and soon after hit the big time with an engagement at the world famous 'Copacabana' in New York. "That's where I became Mal Z.," he says. "it gave me more space on the marquee and, I swear, from there on things took off."

Mal Z. cites Danny Kaye and Jerry Lewis as his early inspirations and explains his unique brand of comedy as "truth exaggerated and extended to the very limits you can take. I get great satisfaction out of making people laugh and forget all their troubles. That laughter makes me forget mine."

Mal Z. recently released his first comedy album, appropriately titled "Mal Z. Lawrence." Most recently he co-starred with actor/singers Bruce Adler and David Dudu Fisher in "Borscht Belt Buffet on Broadway" in New York City.

Some Press quotes :

"Mal Z. Lawrence takes jokiness to shriekingly heights. If laughs is all you want, here is roaring plenty..."

John Simon, NEW YORK MAGAZINE

"This man is wonderful. Now when he does impersonations he is wickedly funny, his whole act, both bawd and sharp is hilarious..."

Clive Barnes, NEW YORK POST

"Mal Z. Lawrence-a dynamo of sizzling topical and ethnic humor and his sexy, mature talent could easily translate to the movies..."