Freddy Soto Retuns to the
Comic Strip

By MIA CORTEZ,
What's Up contributing writer
e-mail: whatsup@elpasoinc.com
Thursday November 11, 2004

You may have seen him on Comedy Central, Jay Leno, HBO, Showtime, NBC, Galavision, or just about any stand-up spot in the country. Freddy Soto has made it to the top and will soon share the big screen with Adam Sandler in “Spanglish.” But he always comes back to El Paso to remind us how funny our quirky families really are.

Many years ago, when Soto was just kicking off his stand-up comedy career, friends and family would gather into little auditoriums to watch his show, and he would pick on just about everybody in the audience.

It was growing up in El Paso that fueled Soto’s contagious sense of humor. He is scheduled to perform at the Comic Strip this weekend. Soto, 34, says that his career is often hard on him and his family, but he takes his wife Cory and his daughter Cruz with him on the road as often as possible. He recently spoke to What’s Up about the movie, his career and future plans.

When were you approached for the Adam Sandler movie, “Spanglish”?

I was approached last April to be a featured actor – it was a big shot for me. In the movie I do a scene with Tea Leoni. I have to translate for her – she doesn’t understand the housekeeper. It’s funny. It comes out on Dec. 17.

How did you like filming “Spanglish”?

I loved it, working with A-list people at that level is incredible. It will probably open doors for other films, but the sitcom world is a tired format right now, it is kind of bland. We need to find a way to make shows interesting and funny.

Do you feel that you have really made it to the top, or do you still have some way to go?

I don’t know if there ever is a top, but I am doing what I love doing. As far as I’m concerned, that is the top for me, and I thank God for it.

What do you enjoy doing most, movies or stand-up?

My heart is always going to be in live performance stand-up, and I always do about seven shows a week. I was in Florida around the time of the hurricanes and it was great to be able to make people laugh, they really needed it.

In all the places you have been, where have you received the best response?

Texas, especially El Paso.

Were your parents really the way you describe them in your shows, or did you mix them in with typical Mexican personalities?

They are really like that. If you just hung out with my family you’d understand how it is. Since I was a little kid my dad used to bring me out to perform for his friends. I always wanted to be a comedian.

How often do you change routines?

I’m always adding to my routines, but people love to see the old stuff that I get to do on television.

Where do you get inspiration for new stuff?

Now I get inspiration through my two-year-old daughter. She doesn’t know how to fake it yet, so if I make the right face or noise I know it is funny.

Will El Paso see anything new or special at this show?

My grandfather passed away a few months back and I’ll be dedicating my shows to him. And I do him as a character, one that people really enjoy, so now it is really going to mean something to me.

When you pull up Freddy Soto on the Internet, every article says something about your “regardless” line. Are you cool with that being your motto, so to speak?

I’m totally cool with that. The regardless line is what made me. I often get asked if I get sick of people repeating that joke to me, but I enjoy it. And people relate to “regardless.” I don’t know why, but everybody’s family has a word that they can hook on to.

So are you living the good life? Is stand-up a profitable career?

For sure it’s profitable. It’s a great life.

What is your next big project?

Trying to create an animated series and another live action series. I am also developing a feature film about my marriage, like “My Big Fat Mexican Wedding.”

Copyright © 2004, What's Up / El Paso Inc.

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Nov 11-14, 2004
El Paso TX
The Comic Strip