The Rick Bronson’s House of Comedy pre-show Q-and-A series give you 10 questions of insight into your favorite comedians’ minds.

You may recognize comedian and actor Jimmy Shubert from when he was a finalist on NBC’s “Last Comic Standing” or his recurring role on “King of Queens,” or movies like “Mr. & Mrs. Smith” or “The Italian Job.” The last time he was in Phoenix, he played his worst game of golf, but he’s back and ready to make an “intelligent” Phoenix crowds laugh — don’t disappoint him. Shows run Oct. 15 to 19 at Rick Bronson’s House of Comedy ( 5350 E. High St., Ste. 105 in Phoenix).

When was the moment you realized you wanted to be a comedian? 

I was young – I was about 9 or 10 years old. I couldn’t perform at clubs so I started doing magic and by the time I was 15 years old I had become an accomplished professional but when I was 18 years old, I was looking for the comedy club and I hung up the wand and retired the rabbit for a microphone and an audience.

 

What was your best (or most embarrassing) moment on stage?

I love making people laugh, period. So, every night is the best night onstage when you’re doing what you love to do. But most embarrassing was getting heckled by my own mother in Philly at a comedy club.

 

What’s one thing you want people to know about doing stand-up that nobody has ever asked you?

It is only the toughest think you will ever do in your life – making a room full of strangers laugh after writing and crafting your act.

 

Who is your comedic inspiration? 

George Carlin

 

What’s one thing you wished someone had told you about stand-up?

How long it would take you to get good at it.

 

What’s one item you never hit the road without?

My laptop

 

What is your favorite city to perform in and why?

There isn’t just one, there are a few and they are my favorite cities to perform in because the audiences are intelligent and are comedy fans – Chicago, Phoenix, Cleveland and Philly.

Describe yourself in three words:

Force of nature

 

If you had one day left to live, how would you spend it?

Saying goodbye to people I loved and cared about.

 

What did you do the last time you were in Phoenix?

Played the worst round of golf in my life

 

Shubert will be performing at the House of Comedy Oct. 15-16 at 7:30 p.m., Oct. 17-18 at 7:30 and 9:45 p.m., and Oct. 19 at 7 p.m.