COMEDIAN
Brian becoming a professional stand-up comedian began in his childhood with the influence of three wise men: Moe, Larry, and Curly.
He appeared on national and local TV, radio, and was featured in newspaper articles around the country. He worked in all 50 states in America and went on two USO tours, performing in seven countries and on islands you’d need a magnifying glass to find on a world map. He was on the road more than Jack Kerouac! Brian describes these experiences with words from A Tale of Two Cities: “It was the best of times, it was the worst of times…” This is because while Brian performed in top comedy clubs across the country, he also performed in biker bars, truck stops, bowling alleys, and laundromats. If you run into Brian, ask him about it—he has more stories than the Empire State Building.
Upcoming Shows/Schedule
Brian is not currently doing stand-up.
Check back again in 2024.
ONE PERSON PLAYS
This one-person play, written and performed by Brian Diamond, is a comedian’s take on themes ancient philosophers wrestled with: “Why are we the way we are? Why do we have the personality we do?”
Love and loss. It’s a timeless tale. This play takes you on a humorous and unsettling path of self-exploration. In autobiographical fashion it examines a series of questions: Where does personality come from? Our parents? Our astrological sign? Our heritage? Money, or the lack of money? The story is candid, thought-provoking, and funny.
The show ran in Los Angeles in 2004 at the Lex Theater, in 2005 at the University of Judaism, and at the Sacramento Theater Company in 2007 as the number one show of that season, selling out every night and even adding shows.
“Diamond does have a gift for storytelling…There is a very funny and poignant Diamond in this…”
-Patty Roberts, Sacramento News & Review
“At one point…his laughter suddenly turns into pain as he rejects all responsibility… [He] laughs again, bringing the audience to their feet with applause for his bravura performance.”
-David Jacobson, Folsom Life
“Imagine if your psychology professor was a standup comedian.”
-University of Judaism
Virgo, Hebrew Rising: Anxiety Done to Perfection
It’s Not Personal
How can two people who love each other not be together? How can a love that seems so right be so wrong? Does love really conquer all? And why is a stand-up comedian asking these questions?! This one-person play, written and performed by Brian Diamond, is a blend of comedy and intensity with laugh out loud moments and scenes that are simply heartbreaking. It dramatizes the five stages of grief and combines humor, psychology, and economics into understanding, compassion, and the realization that sometimes when things happen… it’s not personal.
The show ran in Sacramento in 2014 at the Geery Theater to sold-out performances.
“I’m shocked to see a man tell this story!”
-Kim Kaplan, KKP Productions
“Wow, this really captured the pain of losing a parent.”
-Pat Walsh, talk show host KFBK 1530
“This play made me realize I have someone in my life I need to make things right with.”
-Audience member, after seeing the show
ACTING
Some people are surprised to find Brian enjoyed being an actor more than being a stand-up comedian. As a member of SAG-AFTRA, he’s had small roles in film and television. If you’ve seen The Hunger Games, Avatar, Titanic… well, Brian Diamond appeared in none of those. He’s only been in low budget films, or extremely low budget films. On television, he appeared in some commercials. His theater career was like playing second string in sports: he was in a few plays.
Check out an “old school” acting reel—way back when Brian had more hair and less weight, and Brian’s take on the casting process: