Terry Gross

Actor John Leguizamo. Leguizamo created and starred in the hit one-man show "Mambo Mouth," based on his experiences as a Latino growing up in Jackson Heights, Queens. "Mambo Mouth" premiered on HBO's Comedy Hour. He has appeared in movies such as "Executive Decision" and this summer's "Spawn." (REBROADCAST from 10/24/91.)

Comedian Richard Belzer. For a number of years now, he's played a detective on the show "Homicide." This interview was conducted before he took on that role. Belzer also appeared frequently on "Saturday Night Live" "The Tonight Show" and "Late Night with David Letterman." He's also written a book titled "How To Be a Stand-up Comic." (Originally broadcast 12/31/87.)

Comedian Carol Leifer. She's been a regular as a stand up on Late Night With David Letterman, and a writer for Saturday Night Live. She also has written for comedy pal (and former boyfriend) Jerry Seinfeld -- some say the character of Elaine is based on Leifer. (Originally broadcast 12/15/93.)

Larry David, the co-creator, executive producer, and one of the writers of the comedy series "Seinfeld." David's also the basis for the character "George," Jerry Seinfeld's neurotic best friend. He was a writer for Saturday Night Live and the short-lived ABC late night series, "Fridays."(Originally broadcast 1/2/92.)

Comedian Richard Lewis portrays a spastic, tortured, self-deprecating man living a life of unrelieved pain. He says of his standup comedy that after he's finished his act "people throw prescription drugs and the names of their therapists instead of roses. I'm the wreck they can't be." Lewis has appeared roughly 35 times on the "Late Night with David Letterman" show and has had his own comedy specials on HBO. He also starred in the sitcom "Anything But Love." (Originally broadcast 6/16/88).

Comedian Steven Wright. He is the King of Understatement. . . i.e. "Wind chimes are for stupid people so they know when the wind is blowing" (REBROADCAST from 9.4.1990)

Former SNL cast member Martin Short. Though he only spent one season with the show (1984) he left a lasting impression with his characters such as Ed Grimley Jr., the cowlicked dork, and his impersonations of Katherine Hepburn and Jerry Lewis. Since then he's appeared in a number of films: "Father of the Bride" and "Father of the Bride 2" (as a flamboyant party planner) and "Mars Attacks." He also had a short-lived prime time TV show, "The martin Short Show" His latest film is "A Simple Wish" (REBROADCAST from 7/7/97)

Comedian Chris Rock. He got his start in show business performing stand-up routines in Manhattan. He spent three years on Saturday Night Live and appeared in a few films including the recent Beverly Hills Ninja. He also had a comedy and talk-show series, "The Chris Rock Show" on HBO. (REBROADCAST from 2/6/97)

Comedian Jon Lovitz. He played the pathological liar on SNL among other characters such as Annoying Man and Harry Chanukah. (REBROADCAST from 4/28/92)

For more than 40 years, Phyllis Diller has made a career out of her own poor looks, and the exploits of her bumbling, imaginary, husband, Fang. Diller paved the way for an entire generation of female comics. (Rebroadcast from 7.1.86.)