Ify Nwadiwe speaks on stage.
How can you turn being funny into a career?
Ify Nwadiwe is a comedian, screenwriter, actor, and internet personality who is known for his raw comedy and knowledge of pop and nerd culture. Known for tabletop, video games, and funny bits on YouTube to electric live improv shows performed with his group, The Big Team, all over the country but based in LA.
Nwadiwe is in the podcast space ranging from the funny impactful political humor of The Daily Zeitgeist to his hilariously goofy characters on Comedy Bang Bang. He is also a TV writer who has written on Grand Crew, @Midnight, Tigtone, and the upcoming Twisted Metal TV show. He can also be seen on Workaholics, Adam Ruins Everything, and the Roku short film, A Summer Carol. We sat down with Ify Nwadiwe to talk about how he grew a hilariously definitive personal brand.
Goldie Chan: Hello Ify! Thank you for joining us to talk about your career. What has your path been?
Ify Nwadiwe: I’ve had an interesting path because I’m doing what I always wanted to do, but I wasn’t originally on that path. Trying to convince my Nigerian immigrant father that I wanted to work in entertainment was almost impossible. He wanted me to take a safe bet in being a doctor, lawyer, or engineer, but that wasn’t my calling. I tried to appease him for a bit, but was unable to fully apply myself in something I didn’t believe in. Eventually, I found my way back to acting after dating someone who was killing it in community theater and suggested I audition for the director’s next play. After that I was sucked in. I started doing improv in LA with UCB and just focused on comedy until it led to my TV jobs.. It led me to believe that no matter what you try and convince yourself to do, you’ll always end up on the path you’re passionate about. A lot of the nerdy things I do came from always being passionate about nerdy things, so once they needed an extra nerd, I started being asked to hop on projects.
Ify Nwadiwe looks into the camera with a signature intensity.
Chan: I know that you’ve worked on so many projects but could you share what has been your favorite project that you’ve worked on?
Nwadiwe: Grand Crew. Hands down the best experience I’ve had working on a project because all of my friends are involved. Getting to create with your friends is next level. Everything feels like it goes smoothly because we know each other so well.
Chan: We already know you’re funny but how would you describe your personal brand?
Nwadiwe: Raw is what I would call it, horny is what others may. I’ve tried to create a radically authentic brand because that’s how I want everything I create to feel. Sometimes that means being transparent with my feelings on the state of the world and other times it may mean you see me trying to flirt with someone under a thirst trap. Either way, I’m trying to be the most authentic version of myself at all times.
Chan: Can you share what are you currently working on?
Nwadiwe: Right now I’m deep into writing a production on the second season of Grand Crew. It’s a whole new experience because we’re in person. Actually being a part of the production process this time has been busy and exciting. Shooting on the lot has made me feel the most “Hollywood” I have in my career and I’m enjoying it.
Chan: What is a dream project you’d love to work on or a collaborator that you’d love to partner with?
Nwadiwe: One of my first acting roles in my career was the short film Spinners with Timothee Chalamet, and I’ve been dying to cook something up where we get to work together again. It was a fun week in the desert shooting a short and that kid is dedicated to his craft. I’d love to shoot something with the same dynamic our characters shared because it’s be trippy to watch it almost 10 years apart.
Chan: How does comedy inspire your storytelling or projects?
Nwadiwe: Fully. I’m a comedian through and through and I always try to inject comedy in whatever I’m working on. Any time I’m writing a scene I ask myself “can this be funny” and if so, I try to make it the funniest I can. You can use the blueprint of comedy outside of it too, which is why we’re seeing so many comedy writers like Jordan Peele and Zach Cregger crushing the horror genre.
Chan: What do you do to uplift others in your community?
Nwadiwe: Two ways, staying tapped in and keeping doors open. I think there can be a scarcity complex when it comes to work that causes some folks to worry about “losing work” to others, but when you view it as a community, you’ll know that it’s coming back. Also, you always gotta keep an eye on what’s going on, so you can champion new folks who are crushing it.
Chan: Any last branding or career advice for this year?
Nwadiwe: Be authentically yourself. Work becomes way easier when you don’t have to put on a persona. So, just be yourself. Hyperspecificity makes the most connections, so tapping into yourself will go a long way.
