If you’ve lived in West Hollywood long enough, you’ve probably run into Jerome Cleary somewhere. Whether performing at The Comedy Store, hosting one of his local cable shows, or speaking up at City Council meetings, Cleary has been a WeHo fixture for 40 years.
Jerome is a man who has worn many hats: marketing consultant, freelance journalist, prior City Council candidate and his true passion, stand-up comedian. Now he’s sharing his passion by launching a performance coaching program for aspiring comedians.
Cleary recently told WEHOonline that he’s now offering one-on-one sessions for comics and seasoned performers looking to sharpen their stage skills. He’ll meet with students weekly, either in person or online, focusing on helping them mine their personal lives for material rather than relying on joke formulas.
“I specialize in helping people develop organic storytelling material from their own lives,” Cleary said. “That’s where the strongest comedy comes from—stories that are honest, relatable, and actually happened.”
He works with students of all ages and experience levels on joke writing, pacing, audience engagement, and overcoming stage fright. A key part of the program involves preparing students for live open mic performances. People need real experience onstage, not just classroom instruction, he said.
WEHOonline caught up with Cleary to talk about his four decades in West Hollywood, what makes good comedy, and how he helps students find their voice.
You’ve called West Hollywood home for 40 years. What originally drew you into the comedy scene here?
It’s hard to believe it’s been four decades! Honestly, I think I was just born funny. I was the classic “class clown,” the kid whose teachers constantly wrote “thinks he’s a comedian” on his report cards. I spent my life obsessed with the greats—listening to comedy albums, watching specials, and hitting every live show I could.
The real turning point was a family trip to West Hollywood the year before I moved here. My mom, brother, sister, and I went to The Comedy Store four nights in a row. Seeing Sam Kinison and Louie Anderson on stage left me completely starstruck. I knew I wanted to be a comic.
What’s the most common mistake you see aspiring comedians make when they’re starting?
The biggest pitfall is a lack of authenticity. New comics often struggle when they fail to write original material, steal jokes, or—most importantly—refuse to fully reveal themselves on stage. If you aren’t telling “one-of-a-kind” jokes and personal stories, you aren’t being authentic to the craft.
Walk us through a typical one-on-one coaching session. How do you find a comic’s “voice”?
It starts with a deep dive. I ask a lot of questions to understand their background: where they grew up, their career, their family dynamics, and what their life looks like today. Once I have a feel for who they are, I can identify the best “territory” for them to mine for jokes and stories.
You specialize in turning real life into material. Can you share an example of how you help a student find the “funny” in their own history?
I was recently coaching a student in his mid-20s who had been homeschooled his entire life. During one of our sessions, I asked him, “Did your mom teach you sex education?” He said yes, so I asked what she told him. He deadpanned that she taught him the whole subject in one hour and simply said, “There’s a hole, and you put your penis in it.” I lost it—that is comedy gold! It’s a perfect, unique joke that only he could tell.
How has the West Hollywood comedy scene changed since you first started?
It’s a different world. I started long before YouTube, TikTok, or Instagram existed. Today’s younger comics have a massive advantage; they can film a set and put it online instantly. You can become a rising star through social media before you’ve even headlined a club.
What do you find more rewarding: performing your own set or coaching others?
Coaching has a unique magic to it. The most rewarding part is watching a student develop the raw material we’ve brainstormed. I love seeing their weekly open mic videos, giving them “homework” assignments, and seeing them come back with even more jokes. Watching them grow and do the work we agreed on in our sessions is incredibly fulfilling.
What advice would you give to someone who wants to try stand-up but is paralyzed by nerves?
Everyone has the potential to be funny. The only way to get past the nerves is to push through them and perform, no matter what. It’s going to be a struggle at first, and it might feel awkward, but the real reward comes from “stumbling forward” until you find your footing.
West Hollywood’s comedy scene and creative energy make it an ideal place to develop new comedic voices, Cleary says. West Hollywood has launched countless comedy careers over the decades, from Richard Pryor to Robin Williams to Whitney Cummings.
The city’s comedy club scene and creative community continue to draw aspiring comics looking to develop their craft. Maybe you’re up next—and why not? The year is young.
If daring to do stand-up is that one thing to check off your bucket list of life’s greatest adventures, you may as well start right here in your backyard: West Hollywood, one of the comedy capitals of the world.
Aspiring comics can reach Cleary at JeromeCleary@aol.com.
Good luck Mr. Cleary. You are definitely one of West Hollywood’s residents that make this city special.