The south Philadelphia native’s accolades don’t stop there. In 2005 Mr Irrera was chosen “One of the Ten Funniest People in Los Angeles.” He has been nominated six times for an American Comedy Award for “Best Stand-up Comic” and is a two time CableAce Award Winner – once for his HBO One Night Stand for Best Stand-Up Comedy Special and the second time for his hosting of Showtime’s stand-up comedy series “Full Frontal Comedy.”

Local audiences can now see for themselves what all the talk (and laughter) is about when Mr Irrera performs at Treehouse Comedy Club in Danbury and Trumbull this month.

Mr Irrera will be performing at Marisa’s Ristorante, 6580 Main Street in Trumbull (telephone 459-9678) , on Wednesday, January 18, for an 8 pm show, and then at The Treehouse in Danbury, located at the upper level of New Sorrento Restaurant (32 Newtown Road/Route 6; telephone 744-5575) on Thursday, January 19, for another 8 pm performance.

For tickets, contact either of the restaurants directly. Tickets are $17.50 and Mr Irrera’s opening act will be Stan Stankos for both performances, along with special guests Rick Roberts in Trumbull and Carl Yard in Danbury.

Mr Irrera’s first big break came from his appearance on Rodney Dangerfield’s HBO Young Comedian Special entitled “Nothing Goes Right.” That opportunity off a comedy career that now includes regular appearances on the “Tonight Show with Jay Leno,” “The Late Show with David Letterman,” “The Daily Show with Jon Stewart,” “Late Night with Conan O’Brien,” and even “The Oprah Winfrey Show.”

Mr Irrera’s additional television credits include his own comedy special Comedy Central Presents, “The View,” “Everybody Loves Raymond,” “King of Queens,” “Seinfeld,” and others.