Comedy - A conversation with comedian David Koechner

Comic, actor, and family man on making his wife laugh and juggling multiple projects

Before he ever graced a stage, David Koechner was on the path to a career in politics. “I knew I always wanted to be a performer, but growing up in a small town in Missouri, I’d never met an actor,” Koechner says. “I didn’t know how a person goes about making a career out of it, so I studied poli-sci for about three years.”

From his humble beginnings as one in a household of six children, Koechner caught fire on his comedy crusade with some expert improv skills he showcased in Chicago before landing his first big break as a cast member on “Saturday Night Live.”

Koechner’s comedy and high level of showmanship made him rise fast in the business, elevating him from just another comic to an actor in demand. With well-received movies including Anchorman, as well as hit shows such as NBC’s “The Office,” under his belt, he still manages to find time for his true passion: taking to the stage and doing stand-up.

Koechner spoke to Creative Loafing about the juggling act of spending time with his family, ensuring the continuation of his promising on-screen career, and keeping his stand-up train rolling.

If there is one, what was the defining moment when you realized you wanted to work in entertainment for a living?

When I was a kid in grade school, I loved making my friends laugh. That was probably the earliest precursor to my desire to be on stage — just being in grade school and making my buddies laugh. Ever since, I’ve always done live stuff. I’ve done tons of live shows because that’s what I started with — live material for live stage shows. So really, with stand-up, the only difference from having a relationship with another person on stage is that you have a relationship out there, with your audience. And I enjoy being on stage, but moreover I just enjoy performing.

You’re a husband and a father ... so how do you strike the balance between being a funny man and being a family man?

For me, I like having fun with my family. I like making my kids laugh. If you can get your wife to laugh, then you’re a real champion laughs. It may take every trick you have. So I know I have a great joke if I actually crack my wife up — that’s a big win.

A lot of people recognize you from movies like Anchorman and Thank You for Smoking or TV shows like “The Office,” but you recently received praise for your role in the new film Cheap Thrills. What was it about this project that intrigued you and made you want in?

Oh, it was a great script. They approached me and sent me the script, and I sat down with the producer and director — I really liked those guys, I liked their take, I liked their point of view — but really, the script was dynamite. Plus, it was a chance for me to do something different. It’s an awesome movie ... one of my favorite things I’ve done. And it’s not a comedy. It’s a twisted thriller with dark comedic undertones, but it’s a thrill-ride. It’ll suck you in.

In the midst of all this, how do you still make time for stand-up?

Yeah, I mean, I do it whenever I have time. I have to plan. I had this Atlanta Improv gig booked a long time ago, but this fall — I didn’t have much of an idea about what stuff I’d be doing before things came together, so I booked five other gigs and suddenly I have three other television shows to shoot. Sometimes, it’s like that. ... You focus on one thing and then other things appear, but it’s all pretty awesome because it means I get to work. Then there are some days where you get to be with your kids and take them to school and watch them do their homework and play in the backyard, so there can be a lot to juggle laughs.

Just to sum up who you are as a comedian and as a person, can you describe yourself in six words or less?

Six words or less? Tall ... bald ... funny ... handsome. ... How many is that? That’s four. Well, I don’t think I even need to go on. That’s all you need laughs.