How He's Come A Long Way Since Creepy Kevin

Prolific American stand-up comedian Brian Posehn has a laundry list of television (Mr. Show with Bob & David, Just Shoot Me!, The Sarah Silverman Program, to name a few) and film (The Devil's Rejects) acting credits on his CV. He's also co-writer of Marvel's Deadpool comics and collaborated on novelty metal songs with some of the genre's biggest names.

Which of his many projects tends to be the main source of being recognised in the street then? "Ten years ago it probably was Just Shoot Me!, but now I'm known as a comedian. I think Patton Oswalt's Comedians Of Comedy helped me a lot, being on Conan O'Brien, my podcast, just being out there for as long as I have been. There was a time where I would be in public and someone would go, 'hey, that guy'. I still get that from people that aren't true comedy fans, but now I feel I'm known enough in the comedy world that I don't get that any more. Sarah was a big part of that too, and the Mr. Show guys."

"If I wasn't really a Slayer fan, they would know, because when I use the reference you can tell I know what I'm talking about."

Posehn's subject matter has evolved somewhat during the past decade as he's reached significant life milestones. However, definite nerd-like obsessions remain, such as life-long devotion to heavy metal. Genuine adoration of the music endears him to that demographic. "I think they do identify with me in that they can tell that I am really still a fan. Heavy metal fans are pretty strong bullshit detectors," he laughs. "I think they would know if I was faking it. If I wasn't really a Slayer fan, they would know, because when I use the reference you can tell I know what I'm talking about. If I was a poser, they would let me know."

Not that the towering performer's appeal is restricted to metallers. "My act right now, I'm at a point where if you know any guys that are old and complain about their bodies… I'm a 49-year-old dad of a six-year-old son, and if you know anybody like that, it's relatable. Even if you don't know anybody, I think what I have to say is funny because it's done in a funny way. Plus if you're not a parent, I don't talk about it that much, so don't be scared."

Posehn's scatter-shot style often references another of his fixations — Star Wars. Current material references faith in the franchise being restored. "I tell the whole story, of coming up with Star Wars and then being betrayed by the way I looked at the special editions and prequels. To me it was like your uncle trying to take advantage of you at Christmas. That's how I viewed The Phantom Menace. So to have The Force Awakens make me be proud to be a Star Wars fan again, now I find myself defending Star Wars to other people, which was a place I never thought I would be."