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Comedian Marina Franklin Paves Her Own Way, Creates Seat Table


The comedy scene is still seen as a white male dominated industry. It is not easy for an upcoming comedian, especially a woman or comedian of color, to land an HBO or Netflix special. It usually takes years to do so which is why Marina Franklin created her own seat at the table and released her stand-up comedy special on her own.


Marina Franklin is a veteran comedian, actor, writer, and host whose long tenure as a stand-up standout at premier comedy venues and festivals around the world – alongside her memorable TV and film appearances, and critically acclaimed podcast – have made her a fan favorite and in-demand creative force.


The Chicago native’s onscreen credits include HBO’s “Crashing”; the hit movie, “Trainwreck”; Stephen Colbert’s Late Show; the Nightly Show with Larry Wilmore; Conan O’Brien; “Louie” Season V; the Jim Gaffigan Show; Showtime’s “Women Who Kill”; and Comedy Central’s “Chappelle’s Show”. Marina’s writing credits include HBO’s “Divorce.”


Marina is a favorite at comedy festivals around the world, including the Melbourne Comedy Festival; Scotland’s Glasgow Comedy Festival; BBC’s World Stand’s Up; Rotterdam’s Comedy Factory; Montreal’s Just For Laughs; Ireland’s Kilkenny Comedy Festival; and Nashville’s Bonnaroo Music Festival. Her podcast, Friends Like Us, features a diverse group of women comedians of color – and their occasional male guests – and their takes on the news of the day.


A viciously likable person – if there is such a thing – Marina is a University of Illinois at Champaign-Urbana and Syracuse University graduate. She resides in New York City and loves dancing, house music, talking shit, and working on her sweet right hook.

I recently interviewed Ms. Marina where she chatted on her special, career goals and more.





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