Jeff Garlin Celebrates 43 Years in Stand-Up Comedy
Veteran comedian toasts four decades-plus at iconic L.A. club Ice House with laughs, fans!
Image: Instagram
Jeff Garlin took the stage at The Ice House in Pasadena, California, on Tuesday night to mark a remarkable milestone: 43 years in stand-up comedy. The legendary funnyman, known for his roles on Curb Your Enthusiasm and The Goldbergs, was feted by fellow comics and longtime friends in a special anniversary showcase.
Milestone Celebration At The Ice House
Photos shared on Instagram by The Ice House (@theicehouse) capture Garlin with microphone in hand, delivering his trademark mix of self-deprecation and observational humor. Under the caption “An honor to celebrate @jeffgarlin 43rd anniversary of performing comedy! 📸 @josephhaag #Standupcomedy #theicehouse,” event photographer Joseph Haag documented a standing-room crowd that cheered as Garlin riffed on everyday absurdities.
Veteran comedians including Maria Bamford and Ross Matthews joined Garlin for surprise sets, while local up-and-comers opened the night. Club owner Lewis Garbuzov praised Garlin’s years of support, noting that Garlin first walked into the venue in the early 1980s as a budding comic fresh from Chicago’s comedy circuit.
Career Highlights From Chicago To Tv
Garlin’s comedy journey began in 1981, when he started performing at open-mic nights in Chicago. According to his official biography, he moved to Los Angeles shortly thereafter, landing roles in films like Junior and outside voices on shows such as Mad About You.
He found wider fame as Jeff Greene on HBO’s Curb Your Enthusiasm, earning three Emmy nominations for his portrayal of Larry David’s beleaguered producer-friend. In 2013, he joined the cast of ABC’s The Goldbergs, playing beloved family patriarch Murray Goldberg until 2021.
Beyond acting, Garlin co-founded the production company Jackhole Productions alongside David and Judd Apatow. His stand-up remains a constant: dozens of comedy specials and countless club appearances have cemented him as a mainstay of American humor.
On Stage And Online: Garlin’s Stand-up Journey
Garlin’s social media updates reflect his enduring passion for live comedy. In May, he posted a behind-the-scenes photo to his own Instagram, writing “I’m back and not as good as before” under a shot of cables and stage lights (Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/p/DKxw6QKhebt/). The modest caption underscored how seriously he still takes every performance.
Previous posts have shown him inviting fans to upcoming shows—“Come on by. #comedy #standupcomedy” (https://www.instagram.com/p/DKxo1b2BvbX/)—and sharing candid snapshots of life on tour. That mix of humility and candor resonates with audiences who have followed him from underground clubs to primetime television.
Garlin’s anniversary event also raised funds for The Ice House’s scholarship program, which helps emerging comics afford rehearsal space and workshop fees. Longtime fans donated via a special online campaign, while attendees bid on signed scripts and posters from Garlin’s film and TV work.
Looking back at his career, Garlin credits his longevity to an early love of improvisation and a willingness to evolve. “Comedy is a craft,” he told Variety in 2018. “You never stop learning. Every time you walk onstage, it’s a new lesson.” That ethos was on full display as he effortlessly mixed old bits with fresh material late into the evening.
Whether riffing on family life, pop culture, or internet quirks, Garlin continues to draw from everyday experiences—and to delight crowds who have grown up with him. As one fan posted on Instagram after the show, “He’s still got it! Forty-three years and counting.”
Jeff Garlin’s 43rd anniversary at The Ice House stands as both a celebration of past achievements and a promise of more laughter to come. He plans to tour next month in Austin, Chicago and New York, bringing his unique brand of humor back to clubs where it all began.
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