About Pete

Pete Johansson has earned the title of global headlining comic with a relentless schedule that takes him to every corner of the globe with his unique socially progressive and intellectually challenging, yet accessible comedy that has garnered him a worldwide following. This demand was recently bolstered with his first comedy special ‘You might also enjoy…pete johansson‘ released by Netflix simultaneously in 82 countries and a critically acclaimed and powerful appearance on Comedy Central’s ‘This is Not Happening’.

A favourite at festivals, Pete is one of only two Canadians ever nominated for an Edinburgh award at The Edinburgh Fringe Festival, and has appeared in fringe festivals from South Africa to Australia to Singapore. Originally from Kelowna, Pete started performing in his teens, and developed his art from coast to coast in Canada making his first appearance at The Just For Laughs festival when he was only 24 and following that up with 6 more appearances at the festival over his 20 year career, including 4 galas taped for the CBC. Numerous other TV appearances fill his resume, from The Late Late Show on CBS, Premium Blend on Comedy Central, Friday Night on NBC, Russell Howard’s Good News on BBC, The Best of the Fest on Channel 4, Live From the Comedy Store on Comedy Central, Russell Peters Red Light District on Showtime, 2 Episodes of ‘The Debaters’ TV show on CBC, one of which was nominated for a Canadian Comedy Award, and three Winnipeg Comedy festival Gala’s. A relentless writer, and social critic you can always expect an engaging and intriguing show from this once in a lifetime comedian.

He is well known for his love of Bears, fear of Bees:)

‘Pete Johansson… is usually the smartest guy in the room. Any room. But he walks a fine line and never appears condescending. His mind works faster than most and it’s amazing how quickly the words leave his mouth, especially when he’s pressed for time. But that would be nothing if he wasn’t funny. Thankfully, he is. He takes particular delight in goading an audience, too, but always delivers his punches with a gleeful giggle. And truth be told, he makes a pretty compelling case for randomly attacking children.’ The Georgia Straight

‘This is the funniest first hour I have ever seen from a comic here in Edinburgh. Johansson is assured, relaxed, open and gently hilarious onstage. In fact, the rest of this review is just going to go on and on about how great he is so why not stop reading and go and get your ticket now… This is observational, anecdotal, autobiographical comedy at its best. His closing riff on engagement rings, intimacy and anal sex is one of the unmissable joys of this year’s Fringe. Look, I’ll give you my money-back guarantee. Now will you go and buy a ticket?

Kate Copstick The Scotsman (UK)

“Pete’s relaxed and insightful performance at the Improv brought the crowd what they had been waiting for all night” – National Post (CAN)

“By far the breakout performer this year at Just for Laughs, but more importantly made my list of best jokes of the fest twice!”The Montreal Gazette (CAN)

Pete performed on The Late Show with Craig Kilborn (CBS), and has appeared on Comedy Central’s Premium Blend, two episodes of Comedy Central’s Remix, Open Mike with Mike Bullard (CTV), National Lampoon’s Funny Money (GSN), and in the Showtime film The Incredible Mrs. Ritchie with Gena Rowlands and James Caan. Pete was named a stand out performer by Variety (USA) following a show at the Theatre St Denis.

Pete headlines comedy clubs around the world, from New York’s Caroline’s Comedy Club, The Helium Club In Philadelphia, Austin’s Capital Comedy Club, Minneapolis’s Acme Comedy Theater, The Comedy Store in London and Manchester, as well as shows in Dubai, Hong Kong, Japan, Korea, Afghanistan, Guam, Cayman Islands, Germany, Malta, Cyprus, Amsterdam, Ireland and Canada, and many, many more too numerous to mention.

Pete moved to the UK in 2008 and quickly became a favourite with audiences around the country. He is a regular at the renowned London Comedy Store venue (where he recorded his live CD), has been invited on Radio 4’s prominent Loose Ends  and appeared on Russell Howard’s Good News (BBC3) in 2010. Pete has performed alongside Stephen Merchant, Stewart Lee, Simon Amstell and even had the rare opportunity of closing for Jerry Seinfeld in the Comedy Store in 2011.  He bagged a starring role opposite Ed Byrne in BBC4’s Sex Bombs and appeared on Channel 4’s Brighton Best of the Fest.

In his hit solo Edinburgh show, Naked Pictures of My Life (2009), Pete illustrated the embarrassing developments of his life and how he reached his ‘happy-apathy’ attitude toward life. The show garnered rave reviews and earned him a nomination as Best Newcomer, one of the most coveted awards in comedy. He returned to Edinburgh in 2010 with Pete’s on Earth. The show pushed his own boundaries and garnered even more 4 and 5 star reviews. A whirlwind year followed; signing with the prestigious Collective Agency in Los Angeles following another great JFL performance, as well as tours of South Africa, New Zealand, Mumbai, the Middle East and Europe. He returned to the UK to feature on Channel 4’s Best of the Fest and Showtime’s Live from Amsterdam. Pete was part of Canada’s Snowed In Comedy Tour in 2011 and 2012, performing to sold out crowds across the country (and getting a little skiing in there too from time to time).

Pete’s UK return was greatly anticipated by bookers and promoters across the club circuit and he quickly found himself performing across the country, headlining the Glees, Komedia, Comedy Store, Highlights and The Stands. He is an exceptional live talent, in demand with live, festival and corporate bookers all over Europe. Pete appeared at the Altitude Comedy Festival in Mayrhofen, Austria in 2012, as well as returning to the Edinburgh Fringe Festival  with his latest and most challenging show Utopian Crack Pipe. The show was well received, gaining him a greater and more passionate audience than before.

Pete has been features on three years of the Snowed In Comedy Tour in Canada, and now on the Investors Group Comedy Tour. Pete is looking forward to another year of delivering comedy across the world as new and exciting opportunities continue to present themselves.