Best known as the perpetually adolescent co-host of Comedy Central's "The Man Show" (1999-2004), comedian Adam Carolla has made a profitable career out of being a wiseacre. Though capable as a solo act, Carolla has shined brightest as a team player. Carolla's irreverent wit and smarmy, laconic delivery perfectly complimented the slightly more grounded humor of his "Man Show" partner, Jimmy Kimmel, for five seasons.
Born in Philadelphia, but raised in Southern California, Carolla attended North Hollywood High School where he was a star athlete, but poor student. After a brief stint at L.A. Valley junior college, Carolla worked in a number of blue-collar professions including carpentry, landscaping, and house painting. In his spare time, Carolla honed his comedic skills performing stand-up at the Acme Comedy Theater and trained for a while with the Groundlings. Unfortunately, it did little to advance his career. For the next two years, Carolla struggled to find work as a comedian, but without much success.
By 1994, a frustrated Carolla was ready to throw in the towel. Having all but given up hope of getting into show business, Carolla was working part-time as a boxing instructor at his local gym. As luck would have it, however, one of Los Angeles's top-rated radio stations, KROQ-FM, was looking for someone to train an on-air personality for an upcoming boxing match. Tapped for the painful publicity stunt was the young comic Jimmy Kimmel (then known as "Jimmy the Sports Guy") from KROQ's popular Kevin & Bean morning show. Unfortunately, despite all of Carolla's schooling, Kimmel ended up getting clobbered in the three-round charity bout. Luckily, Carolla and Kimmel hit it off and their friendship has endured.
During his segments, Carolla proved to be a natural on-air performer. Carolla's quick wit and easy repartee with Kimmel and the others made him so popular, in fact, that he was soon invited to join the show's repertoire of characters. Among Carolla's signature personas was Mr. Birchum, a high-strung Vietnam vet shop teacher. (Carolla would later revive the character on his show, "Crank Yankers".
In 1995, Carolla was offered a higher profile gig as co-host of the nationally syndicated call-in show, "Loveline", where he would replace then departing co-host Riki Rachtman. Carolla's teaming with the stoic, cerebral Dr. Drew Pinksey was an inspired casting choice. As an obnoxious, one-man Greek chorus, Carolla helped bring a lighter tone to what was sometimes be a somber, information-driven program. Often times, Carolla would segway into extended commentary on matters having little to do with the show topics of the day. Common subjects included Carolla's dislike for organized religion, parking enforcement, political extremism, and lazy DMV employees. "Loveline" was spun off into a television show that aired on MTV. One of the cable network's highest rated hour-long programs, "Loveline" ran for four seasons before finally wrapping in 2000. Carolla and Pinsky continue to host the radio "Loveline" show which is syndicated by Westwood One.
In addition to co-creating "The Man Show" and "Crank Yankers" (Comedy Central, 2002- ), Carolla is also a writer and frequent guest on "Jimmy Kimmel Live"(ABC, 2003- ). In August 2005, Carolla will begin hosting his own talk show,"Too Late with Adam Carolla" on Comedy Central. That same month, Carolla also confirmed rumors that he would be replacing outgoing King of All Media, Howard Stern, in four radio markets, starting in January of 2006.
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