Dana Carvey is an American comedy actor, writer, comedian and improviser. He is probably best known for his appearance as a featured cast member on the late night sketch comedy show, Saturday Night Live. Also, he has been a cast member of such television programs as Roseanne, spins, Everybody Loves Raymond and It’s Your Show. He has also appeared in films like Bill & Ted’s Excellent Adventure and The Day After. Most importantly, Carvey has been one of the most popular comedians performing in colleges, private schools, colleges and universities for decades now. His career spanned three decades, from his college days to his acting days to his stand up comedy days.
One of the most enduring jokes that Carvey tells on his shows is about how he used to go to New York City, visit Patricelli’s Italian restaurant on East 47th Street, and order in a very large salad with anchovy eggs. The waitress asks if he would like some extra dressing on that dish as well. Carvey replies “What kind of dressing? We have the greatest salad in the world.” It is this anecdote that encapsulates the character of Dana Carvey: always seeing himself as an outsider.
As a stand up comic, Carvey’s ability to draw large crowds of listeners is owed in large part to his ability to build humor from personal experiences with larger audiences. In his stand up routines he includes a story about how he felt a lack of confidence after getting in a fight (on stage). Afterward he discusses his short stature and how it affects his dating life. Then he talks about how being short often prevents successful short lived relationships. Finally, he discusses his nationality and how it affects his ability to be funny and be himself on stage. His observations on being a national are spot on for a comedy show, and the effect that it has on people will be appreciated by those who do not share his national status.