Steve's
Story
Steve Mazan is a stand-up comic living his dream of making
people laugh. He is in his thirties and loves everything
about his life. His wife, his family and his friends.
Steve grew up in the suburbs of Chicago. He is the youngest
of three kids. His brother and sister are seven and eight
years older than him, and his mother has admitted that he
was a bit of a surprise. His teen years were similar to
those depicted in the movies of John Hughes (Hughes, not
Holmes).
Upon graduating Streamwood High School (go Sabres!), Steve
left home (yes, it was his decision) and joined the U.S.
Navy. There he served aboard the attack submarine USS
Scranton for five years (go A-gangers!). After leaving the
Navy (yes, it was his decision) Steve returned to Illinois
and went to college at Northern Illinois University (go
Huskies!). After graduating from NIU without honors Steve
moved to San Francisco, where his sister was living, so
that he could see his niece and nephew grow-up. Within five
months his sister and her family moved back to Chicago.
Steve decided he was not going to chase them, in case this
was a hint.
Living away from his family, Steve decided that he should
do something he always dreamed of doing. Something that San
Francisco was famous for… What? NO he didn’t
sleep with other men! San Francisco is also known for its
rich history of producing great stand-up comedians. So
Steve started going to open mics and practicing his
material. It was ugly at first, but after a lot of practice
he quickly made a name for himself on the scene as a smart
and clever comic. San Francisco’s two famous comedy
clubs, The Punchline and Cobb’s took notice as well
and began booking Steve often.
Within two years, Steve left his day job (no it
wasn’t his decision) and started doing comedy
full-time. He has toured the country playing clubs in
almost every state, such as The Improv, Zanies, Crackers,
The Funny Bone, and the Comedy Zone. He has worked with
Robin Williams, Greg Proops, Harland Willams, Kevin Pollak,
Brett Butler and Larry the Cable Guy. However, Steve is
most proud of the multiple trips he has made to Iraq and
Afghanistan, to perform for the men and women of the Armed
Forces. He’s also been heard on radio’s
incredibly popular Bob and Tom Show.
Things couldn’t have been any better. Then, in 2005,
he was diagnosed with inoperable liver cancer. It was an
incredible blow. After dealing with the shock and initial
depression, Steve took toll of his life. It was still a
good life. Sure, he had been dealt a bad hand, but he had
received many good ones prior to that and believed there
are still many hands to play.
Steve read lance Armstrong’s book
“It’s Not About the
Bike” and was inspired. He realized
that it is not how much time you have left, but rather
what you do with that time. During his time in the
hospital and visiting the doctors, Steve realized that
people have a certain perception of people with cancer. It
was the same perception he had prior to his diagnosis.
Someone lying in bed, pale, thin, and with a sickly look of
pain on their face. The look of someone dying. This upset
him. Sure, there are cancer patients that look like that.
Usually right after chemotherapy, surgery or radiation. Or
in their last moments. But the real faces of people with
cancer is much different. They are just like the faces of
anyone you meet everyday. Steve decided he wanted to change
this perception.
Soon after his diagnosis, Steve considered giving up
stand-up comedy. With medical bills piling up, and
doctor’s visits now on the calendar, scheduling
comedy dates on the road didn’t seem like a priority.
Maybe going back to a better paying, “normal”
day job was the right thing to do. Then he had an epiphany.
It was now more than ever that his dreams mattered. It was
now more than ever, that HOW HE LIVED mattered. So he
decided to continue doing comedy and chasing his dreams.
And maybe, possibly, in his own small way he could change
people’s perceptions. By chasing his dream he could
show the face of someone living with cancer, rather
than dying from it. He also started a cancer fund
called LaughStrong to raise money for
those affected by cancer.
Steve lives in Los Angeles, California, with his beautiful
wife, Denise. He continues to perform his comedy across the
country. You can learn more about his comedy by visiting
www.stevemazan.com
