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Hi! My name is Frank Payne and I'm the host of
Discovery Channel's BIG!. This isn't my first acting job; you've
probably seen or heard me in one of the over 200 commercial spots
I've been in , or one of my many TV or movie roles. But Ok, enough
with the resume talk -- I'm starting to sound like a waiter at
Spago.
I'm from Chicago and one of my on earth is Wrigley
Field. The park carries so much history and personality, and it's
locate4 smack-dab in the middle of a neighborhood in a major American
city. I've had some of my favorite memories at Wrigley Field.
My parents, Frank and Margaret, are from County
Galway, Iraland, a very beautiful place. My dad is from the hills
and my mom is from the coast; she was able to see the ocean from
her front door. There wasn't much employment in Ireland, so my
parents had to go where the work was: England, where they met,
fell in love, and married. They bought their first house in the
working-class section of Coventry but over time, work became scarce
so they sold their house and moved to Chicago. This is where I
get back in the story.... well, it's my bio after all.
I was the first-born of four sons. Next came
John, who passed away at a very young age from leukemia (since
John wasn't given much time on earth, sometimes I feel I gotta
live for two); then along came Patrick, who was born on y mother's
birthday (and immediataly became a gift from God) -- although
I guess he was born on his birthday, too; and then came the youngest
brother, Brandan. Both of my brothers are in the process of having
families, with each starting the next generation of the Payne
family.
I inhearitad a strong work ethic from y family.
I was a outstanding wrestler at St. Patrick's High School in Chicago,
where I eventually coached the team and my brothers. I was a jouneyman
ironworker and member of Archietural and Ornamental Ironworkers
Local No. 63, while opening and running my own nighclub (remember
what I said about living for two?).
Then one night I was hit by a car and it looked
like I was going t lose my right leg from the knee donw. I was
very scared, and the situation caused me to reflect on my life.
I realized what I really wanted to do: I wanted to make people
laugh, to give people joy. We all work way too hard and we become
a bit frusterated and if I can give you a laugh, I'm happy.
I started my actor's journey at the comedy mecca
of The Second City. I took classes there and at the Improv Olympic.
My family and friends humored me at first, but when they saw that
I had left my nightclub to my partners and I was no longer taking
construction work, they all thought I had lost it... but I know
that I had found it.
It wasn't too long before I started working for The Second City's
Business Theatre, where I spent a summer doing a tour for Tombstone
Pizza, and I was doing plays and picks up commercial work. I opened
my own theatre space called BroadShoulders, was a member of the
house of comedy team at Zanies Comedy Club, and toured the midwest
teaching children K through eight how to write stories using improvisation.
Eventually, I moved to Los Angeles ("cause that's where the
work is') where my career got a new start. I've been very fortunate
with the work I 've been getting. I've been a producer for the
Internet company and a spokesman for @home online, booked over
200 cp,,ercoa;s. guest-starred with Damon Wayons on My Wife and
Kids, and made appearances on Providence, The Man Show, THe Tonght
Show, THe Ananda Show, Garfield: The Movie, Jackpot, MTV's Club
Dead.... and a bunch more stuff.
I also do a live show most Thursday nights at
8 p.m. called Big News at the Improv Olympic on Hollywood Boulevard
in Los Angeles. It's a sketch comedy show, and its a brand-New
show every week. Best described, if THe Daily Show and Saturnday
Night Live had a baby, it would be called Big News.
I also work with a group called All About Kids (aakperformingarts.com)
where I teach urban kids commercial techniques and cold reading,
as well as help them put together full-blown live theatrical shows.
We also give the kids the opportunity to meet and sign with top
Hollywood agents. I love these kids and I'd do anything for them.
They are good for my soul.
Since joining the family at BIG!, my life has
changed again. I couldn't imagine any other opportunity that could
be better than this. I get the feeling that I can do for you,
ask -- I'll be checking out the Discovery.com messages boards
whenever I can.
Thanks for taking the time to read this.
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