Award-winning comedian Don Barnhart is one of the top comedians working today.  You may not know Barnhart by name but you’ll recognize his face as you’ve seen him on TV and film as well as headlining the top comedy clubs in Las Vegas for years.  He is also a favorite at the top comedy clubs across the country and cruise ships around the world.

In 2010, Don Barnhart received the International Performing Artist’s “Bob Hope Award” for his continued service performing and producing comedy shows for the troops stationed overseas.  Barnhart has been performing and producing comedy shows for the troops around the world since his first USO tour back in 1992.    He’s been everywhere from Bosnia to Afghanistan.

In a recent interview Don stated,  “I’m blessed to be able to make a living doing what I love and I consider both an honor and a privilege to entertain our men and women serving in the military.  I’m kinda like the water boy on the Super Bowl team”.

Don got his start in comedy as house emcee, manager and talent coordinator at The Comedy & Magic Club in Hermosa Beach, CA.  It was during the comedy boom of the 80’s that Barnhart opened for, learned from, worked with and forged friendships with today’s comedy legends:  Seinfeld, Leno, Jim Carey, Louis Black, Drew Carey, George Wallace, Louie Anderson, David Spade, Dana Carvey, Dennis Miller and more.

Leno’s advice to Barnhart, “You wanna be great?  Go on the road”.  And Don did.  He left the security and lucrative job to pursue comedy full time and since 1987, Don averages 250 days year on the road.  Barnhart’s comedy career really gained national attention in 2007 when he won the American Idol Underground’s Best Comedian Award and was named their, “Artist to watch” and Entertainment Business Journal named him one of the, “Top 100 comedians to see” three years in a row. 

Audiences say, “Barnhart has the wit and insight of George Carlin with the energy, delivery and characters of Robin Williams”.  The NY Times wrote, “Hilarious”.  The LA Times called Don, “One of the best” and Howard Stern said, “That guy is funny”.

Don just shot his new comedy special, “I’m Not Just Eye Candy” now available on DVD and he’s been seen, heard and featured on numerous TV, Radio and Film projects:  ABC, CBS, MTV, FOX, NBC, ABC Morning Show, Good Day Sacramento, Good Morning Northwest, Star Search, Evening At The Improv, Comedy Central, Ocean’s 13, Lunar Madness, In The Army Now, Apollo 13, The Ice House 50^th Anniversary DVD, The Bob & Tom Show, XM/Sirius Satellite Radio and

As if this were not enough to keep Barnhart busy, Don is also an accomplished filmmaker, television producer, published author and director.  The Freedom of Speech Comedy Series, which Don produced, hosted and directed aired on cable and is now available on Amazon along with his 2 CD’s and comedy DVDS.  Don’s company also produced the Ice House Comedy Club’s 50 Anniversary DVD.

Don was selected to showcase and present his show at The Montreal Comedy Festival in 2008 and that same year Don released China Dolls, his first feature film that he wrote, directed and starred in.  The indie action thriller helped Barnhart to increase his ever growing fan base and the film got great audience reviews.  Don used the power of social networking and huge web presence on Facebook and Twitter to self-distribute the project and to build its core audience.

Barnhart just completed writing the new comedy film, Freeloader.  “It’s the story of a returning Vet who ends up homeless in Las Vegas and uses comedy to find his way back.  I always try to use comedy as a way to shine light on current social issues and this is a sort of a modern day Robin Hood Story”, added Don.  The film is already in pre-production and will begin filming later this year with Barnhart directing and starring in the comedy.

Don is also a published author as well as a contributing writer on the book: I Killed:  True Stories of the Road from America’s Top Comedians.  Barnhart is a Second City Conservatory Graduate as well as Certified Hypnotist who in his free time does a separate Improv as well as Comedy Hypnosis Show.  Don and his producing partner and wife Linda Vu continue to produce comedy shows for the troops around the world and their company, Don Barnhart Entertainment is the number one consultant and independent producer for comedy clubs as well as comedy concerts around the globe.

When Don does get spare time, he teaches comedy and improv from his home studio in Las Vegas sharing his vast knowledge of the comedy business helping craft the next generation of young comedians.

For more information or to set up interviews:  Please contact Don Barnhart Entertainment at 702-449-1763 or www.DonBarnhart.com