Atlanta-based comedian Joel Byars created career opportunities when few were available

On the “City Lights” series “Speaking of Comedy,” Atlanta’s funniest locals share insights on the perks and perils of their profession. This edition features Atlanta-based comedian Joel Byars. 

According to his mother’s account, Byars first got into comedy when he was in a church play as a child. He stole the microphone from the adult in charge and started doing a made-up routine, apparently slaying the audience. 

“It’s still my best show to date,” the comedian notes. “The moment I realized I could become a comedian was a few years later when I saw Sinbad’s ‘Afros and Bellbottoms’ comedy special on Comedy Central, and I remember him in this funky one-piece jumpsuit just being silly and having fun, which is what I always enjoyed doing. And seeing Sinbad to that on television made me realize, ‘Oh! I can be silly for a living!’”