David Testroet has quit comedy several times throughout his 35-year career, but something about the stage just keeps him coming back.
“I’m 62 years old, I don’t want to become a Walmart greeter,” he joked. “It’s a real drug, when you’re on stage, working good, that makes you feel higher than anything out there.”
The Denver-based comedian will headline Loonees Comedy Corner this weekend with openers Ron Ferguson and Pat Treuer. Testroet has appeared on CBS, Fox, Showtime and MSNBC, and has worked with comedians such as Jeff Foxworthy, Ron White and Jeff Dunham.
Testroet got his start in comedy in his hometown of Dubuque, Iowa. Testroet, in his mid-20s, was working as a DJ at the time. His friends entered him into a comedy contest, and he ended up taking second place.
“From there, different bars would be like, ‘Hey, come over and tell us some jokes, and we’ll give you 50 bucks and a cheeseburger,’” he said. “It’s just one of those things I keep trying to leave, or not wanting to leave but leaving, and then coming back.”
Testroet describes himself as a Midwest guy, which comes through in his shows. He also pulls from his experiences as a wildlife photographer — another profession he’s been at for decades.
“I’m a wildlife and nature photographer. I bring that into my act and just the fact of traveling as long as I have been,” he said.
Photography is a big part of Testroet’s life, learning the skill in high school and then taking a break after getting married. It wasn’t until his 15th wedding anniversary, on a trip to Alaska, that he told his wife he wanted a camera again.
“It kind of broke the whole thing open again. And three cameras later, and many different lenses and everything, it’s just kind of developed into a secondary business,” he said.
The craft also offers a break from his time on tour.
“When I’m working out in Seattle, Washington or Portland, I try to schedule a couple of extra days to stop in Yellowstone and chase grizzly bears or moose, depending on the time of the year,” he said. “I always try to arrange it so when I’m out there traveling that I get some time to go get photos, too.”
