JoAnne Worley, the legendary comedienne, recalls the moment that sparked her comedic journey. "I actually attended a two-room schoolhouse," says the Indiana native, whose sharp wit saved one of her classmates from a teacher's wrath. "He said to the boy, ‘Don’t you get smart with me,’” she recalls to Closer. “I raised my hand right away and said, ‘Isn’t that why we come to school? To get smart?’ And, of course, it got a laugh." The teacher was so amused, she forgot to punish the boy. This moment set the stage for a lifetime of laughter and unforgettable performances.
From that day forward, JoAnne’s quick wit and impeccable comic timing have taken her to incredible heights. Her zany characters and infectious laugh made her a household name on Rowan & Martin’s Laugh-In. Her career expanded into various television shows, including Hollywood Squares, Broadway performances, and films like Disney’s animated classic Beauty and the Beast. At 87, JoAnne continues to captivate audiences with her one-woman show, Keep Laughin'. She shares her life with her beloved rescue dog, Cupid. "He’s a good boy," she proudly says.
Was Comedy Always in Your Blood?
JoAnne reflects on her early years and how comedy found her. "Well, I learned early how to make people laugh. I never said, ‘When I grow up, I want to be in show business,’ because I didn’t even know what that was. But there were a lot of reverends in my family. When you think about it, there’s a fascinating parallel between being a preacher and an entertainer. Both are about connecting with people and delivering a message that resonates."
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Did Your Family Support Your Dreams?
JoAnne’s family was supportive in its own way. "I didn’t have to ask them to be supportive. I worked during high school at a truck stop on the weekends and earned my own money. One day, I picked up a Theatre Arts Magazine and saw an ad for an apprentice in summer stock back in New York. My father didn’t quite understand. He said, ‘You mean you’re going to work for them and you’re paying them?’ But I had a strong Virgo work ethic. I went and was rewarded with a scholarship to return the following summer."
How Do You Describe Your Comic Style?
JoAnne’s style is as bold as her personality. "Loud! The thing with comedy is trusting the moment, especially in stand-up. You need to trust what’s happening between you and the audience. You need to be prepared and go with the flow. I started out singing in nightclubs because there weren’t many examples of female comics back then. I would sing funny songs or give a twist to classic tunes. Before I moved to New York, I was also part of a Jerry Lewis comedy workshop at Paramount Studios."
Was Jerry Lewis a Big Influence?
JoAnne fondly remembers Jerry Lewis. "Oh, sure! Jerry Lewis. It was such an honor to be chosen for his comedy workshop and to appear on several of his television specials. Jerry was a true pioneer in comedy."
Did He Offer You Any Good Advice?
JoAnne shares Jerry’s wisdom. "Jerry gave me this advice: If there’s an audience, go there, do it. The more you perform, the more material you gather, and the more experience you gain. The more people see you, the more opportunities will arise."
What Was It Like to Be on Laugh-In in the Early Days?
JoAnne describes the whirlwind of Laugh-In. "Very busy! If we weren’t shooting, we were changing costumes, doing makeup and hair, or rehearsing dance moves. We were busy bees. We would shoot well into the night. It was nonstop action."
Do You Have a Favorite Laugh-In Memory?
JoAnne shares a hilarious memory. "We had Colonel Sanders on Laugh-In, and we did a little skit together. As we were walking off the set, he put his arm around me and placed his hand right on my boob. The live audience laughed, and because I’m loud, they could all hear me. I said, ‘Oh, Colonel Sanders, I thought you were a leg man!’"
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Was There Much Competition Among the Laugh-In Cast?
JoAnne emphasizes the camaraderie. "We helped each other. If we weren’t busy changing or getting made up, we’d be each other’s audience. We encouraged one another. If there was something in the script I thought would suit Ruth Buzzi better, I’d say, ‘I don’t know, I think Ruthie should do this.’ There were so many fun moments behind the scenes."
How Do You Think the Industry Has Changed for Female Comedians?
JoAnne reflects on the evolution. "There’s much more freedom for women today. Cable television and stand-up clubs have given comedians the platform to explore raunchy material. The industry has opened up in ways that weren’t possible before."
What Comedians Make You Laugh Today?
JoAnne discusses the current comedy scene. "The rhythm is different today. The jokes are something we wouldn’t have dared to do. Comics in clubs back then wouldn’t touch blue material. You’d only create material that could eventually make it to television, which limits a lot of what we see in clubs today. But I love watching Saturday Night Live. By the way, did you know Lorne Michaels was a writer on Laugh-In?"
What Are You Proudest of in Your Career?
JoAnne shares a heartfelt moment. "My brother was in the Navy, and I was asked to sing with the United States Air Force Band at Constitution Hall in Washington, D.C., and my brother was there. That was a special moment. We visited the Vietnam War Memorial together, and that was special because he knew many of the names on the wall."
You’re not on Facebook, but someone impersonated you and charged for autographs. What can fans do to help stop this?
JoAnne addresses the issue. "I don’t like the idea of someone else profiting from what is supposedly my real autograph. I certainly do sign pictures for people, but if someone else is charging for that, that’s not right. I’d like fans to report any fake pages they find. If it’s got an ugly picture, you know it’s not mine!"
Tell Us About Actors and Others for Animals.
JoAnne discusses her passion for animals. "Our mission is sp
