"Hell Yes Fest" Feature Artist: Nick Swardson

Nick Swardson

New Orleans’ comedy festival Hell Yes Fest is currently in full swing. One of our staff picks–and a headliner of the festival–is none other than Nick Swardson. Swardson brings his comedy styles to the stage at The Joy Theatre in downtown New Orleans. Swardson started pursuing stand-up comedy at the age of 18 at Acme Comedy Co. in Minneapolis, MN. Within a few years, Swardson found himself in Aspen performing at U.S. Comedy Arts Festival.

Swardson bridged the gap between stand-up and acting for the first time in 1999. Nick made a small appearance in the sitcom “LateLine”. It wasn’t until 2001 that Swardson made his first Comedy Central appearance.

If stand-up and acting were not enough for Nick’s audience, Swardson added writing to his portfolio in 2003. He co-wrote the screenplay for “Malibu’s Most Wanted” alongside Jamie Kennedy and Adam Small. Swardson made regular guest appearances on shows like Reno 911, The Showbiz Show with David Spade, and his very own pilot Gay Robot.

In 2003 Nick began a long-standing relationship with fellow actor/comedian, Adam Sandler. Nick’s first project with Sandler was co-writing and acting in the movie Grandma’s Boy. Meeting Sandler led to an extended relationship with Happy Madison Productions, Sandler’s production group. The pairing jump started Nick’s career. He later went on to star, write and co-produce in several Happy Madison Production films, including; Grandma’s Boy, The Benchwarmers, Click, I Now Pronounce You Chuck and Larry, Bedtime Stories, That’s My boy, And Grown Ups 2, Pixels, Hotel Transylvania 2, and The Do Over.

With Nick’s comedic track record, it is a pleasure to have him in our city for Hell Yes Fest. Swardson comes to The Joy Theater for two shows October 14th. The doors open for the first show at 7 p.m., show starts at 7:30 p.m. Doors open for the second show at 9:30 p.m., show starts at 10 p.m. The Joy is located downtown New Orleans. 1200 Canal Street, New Orleans, LA, 70112.