Jimmy Tingle is a nationally recognized comedian, commentator, producer, actor, and the founder of Humor for Humanity, a new social enterprise which raises spirits, funds, and awareness for nonprofits through his work as a performer, emcee, and auctioneer. Now in its 10th year Humor for Humanity has helped raise hundreds of thousands of dollars for nonprofits, social causes and needy individuals.
After earning a master’s degree in public administration from Harvard’s Kennedy School of Government, where he was the graduate school commencement speaker for his class in 2010, he ran for lieutenant governor of Massachusetts on the Democratic ticket in 2018. As a first-time candidate for public office, he received 41% of the vote in the Massachusetts Democratic primary.
He continues his civic engagement as an emcee, performer, and producer for political organizations seeking to add humor and professional experience to their events.
Drawing on his experience running for public office, he created a stage show, recorded at Harvard’s Sanders Theater on February 29, 2020, that illuminates his campaign with passion, purpose and a sense of humor.
During the 2020 Covid lockdown, he developed the show into a 50 minute comedy documentary: Jimmy Tingle: The “Radical” Middle- Why Would a Comedian Run for Office? It’s a funny, thought-provoking, and hopeful look at contemporary life and politics.
Vincent Straggas of Flag Day Productions directed his previous comedy documentary film, “Jimmy Tingle’s American Dream,” which Jimmy wrote and produced.
Feature film work includes “Next Stop Wonderland,” “Boondock Saints,” “Head of State” (starring Chris Rock) and “Clear History” (starring Larry David). He has also appeared in several documentary films, including “When Stand up Stood Out,” “Call Me Lucky” (directed by Bobcat Goldthwait) “Damned in the USA,” and “America with the Top Down.”
Theatrical credits include writing, performing, and producing several one-person shows, including “Uncommon Sense;” “Jimmy Tingle for President—The Funniest Campaign in History;” and “Jimmy Tingle’s American Dream.”
His latest one-person theatre show is: Jimmy Tingle: Humor and Hope for Humanity.
Tingle holds the rare distinction of winning Boston Magazine’s “Best of Boston” awards for both “stand-up comedy” and “best alternative theater” for his work as the producer and artistic director of Jimmy Tingle’s Off-Broadway Theater in Somerville, MA 2002-2007.
In addition to his master’s degree from Harvard’s Kennedy School, he earned a Bachelor of Arts from UMASS Dartmouth where he majored in history and minored in education.
For more information, please visit www.JimmyTingle.com or call 617-642-8102.