Jeff Ross
Jeff Ross
Jeffrey Ross Lifschultz, known professionally as Jeff Ross, is an American stand-up comedian, insult comic, actor and author. His skill in doing high-profile celebrity roasts and his appearances in Comedy Central's Roasts, have led him to be dubbed "The Roastmaster General." He has appeared in various film, television, and cartoon projects. He has made appearances at events for U.S. soldiers and directed a documentary film covering his experiences touring U.S. bases in Iraq...
NationalityAmerican
ProfessionComedian
Date of Birth13 September 1965
CitySpringfield Township, NJ
CountryUnited States of America
My parents, grandparents, aunts and uncles were all funny, and I felt that energy, that delivery, that timing, that sarcasm. All that stuff seeped into my brain.
Our coaches kept reminding us, all week, to stay calm, stay calm. They knew the kind of atmosphere we'd have to deal with tonight.
Just because a lake needs bass, it doesn't mean it's in poor shape. All lakes have good and bad years.
People love to see public figures get taken down a notch, and by the same token, everyone loves to be the center of attention, even when there's a target on their forehead.
I was the kid who always hung back and then dropped the jokes when you least expected it. Timing was everything. My mouth sort of developed over time.
I think comics should test people, I think it's our job to go too far. That way we know as a society what too far is. Where else are you going to hear it?
We kind of do our own thing as an independent. We are able to make decisions and moves that company stores would have to wait for corporate permission to do, ... I have no problems with Supervalu. They have addressed an issue that we all had and that was they tried to play both sides of the fence (wholesaler and retail outlet). I wasn't surprised they announced they are selling their corporate stores.
It's up to comedians to shine the light on what's wrong in the world, and we don't want things swept under the rug.
Humor that is edgy is never squeaky clean.
As soon as a roast is announced, I get everybody - family, friends, waitresses, cab drivers - giving me jokes about the person getting roasted. I'm the mouthpiece for the masses.
With roasting, you've really got to bring your A-game. I hate to admit it, but I probably think and obsess more about the roasts than my own series. Because there's so much attention focused on the roasts. It's like the 'Super Bowl' of comedy. Everybody is going to talk about it. Forever.
You don't mess with Oprah. She has enough money in her left pocket to have me killed.
Occasionally a roast master needs to get out of Dodge.
Comedians second-guessing themselves is scary. Poor taste is not a crime and we can't forget that.