Marine Lieutenant Desert Storm Veteran Returns to Gulf As a Stand-Up Comedian to Entertain Troops in Iraq Over the Holidays

Marine Lieutenant Desert Storm Veteran Returns to Gulf As a Stand-Up Comedian to Entertain Troops in Iraq Over the Holidays LOS ANGELES, Nov. 19 /PRNewswire/ -- Having just completed one of their most dangerous and difficult missions, servicemen and women in Iraq will receive something unexpected for the holiday season - the gift of laughter from retired U.S. Marine Officer turned Stand-Up Comedian James P. Connolly. The Santa Monica, California resident, formerly with Camp Pendleton's 1st Marine Expeditionary Force and a veteran of Operation Desert Storm, will leave Los Angeles for Iraq this Sunday, November 21st. His mission - to brighten the spirits of troops overseas and let them know they're appreciated back home. Ironically, it was the first Persian Gulf War that launched Connolly's comedy career. Thirteen years later, Connolly trades in his M-16 for a microphone, barnstorming across the war zone in Iraq to entertain American troops, including his former Marine unit, in a way no other performer can. In 1991, en route to the Persian Gulf, then Lieutenant Connolly was asked to write one-liners skewering fellow officers for a dinner roast hosted by his Commanding Officer. "The next day I was called into his office and I assumed I had crossed the line. I was bracing for an butt chewing. Instead, I found the Colonel laughing and asking me for suggestions on how to deliver the jokes." After watching the Colonel's success, Connolly knew he wanted to perform himself when his tour of duty was up. Even in his own act James P. Connolly boasts many accomplishments, claiming to have been voted number one in his High School class, unanimously voted Student Body President, Class Speaker, and Valedictorian. "Not bad," Connolly triumphantly adds, "for home schooling!" As a professional stand-up comedian, Connolly is humbled to serve the country once again. "To be able to return to the region during the holidays, share the gift of laughter and bring a little slice of home during these difficult times is beyond a privilege." As part of Comics On Duty World Tour, James and four other comedians will be the sole entertainment in the region over the Thanksgiving holiday from November 21st through December 3rd. For Connolly, son of a Marine Officer and the fourth Marine in his family, the circle will be complete when he performs for his old Marine Corps unit. James P. Connolly grew up in San Mateo, California, graduated from Harvard University on a Marine Corps ROTC scholarship and then served four years as a Marine Infantry Officer. Host of VH1's "Movie Obsessions," Champion on Ed McMahon's "Next Big Star," and recently seen in the Fox Searchlight Film, "The Act," James performs regularly in Las Vegas, Los Angeles, New York and throughout the country at such top clubs as The Improv and Catch A Rising Star. Called "an extraordinary talent" and "as funny, quick and fresh as any comedian around today" by entertainment bookers, he has been seen on Comedy Central, HBO, FOX, PAX TV, UPN, SiTV, the Jerry Lewis Labor Day Telethon, and numerous other television appearances. Other credits include national commercials, theater, voice-over, and headlining engagements across the country. To arrange an interview with James P. Connolly, contact Barb North at Brook Forest Entertainment, 818-347-5098 or barb@comedynorth.com . James departs LAX on Sunday, November 21st and returns December 3rd. Pictures and video footage will be available upon James' return. To find out about James P. Connolly's upcoming appearances, go to http://www.jamespconnolly.tv/. Contact: Barb North Brook Forest Entertainment 818-347-5098 This release was issued through eReleases(TM). For more information, visit http://www.ereleases.com/. Source: James P. Connolly CONTACT: Barb North of Brook Forest Entertainment, +1-818-347-5098 Web site: http://www.jamespconnolly.tv/ ------- Profile: International Entertainment