Ron White brings ‘Behavioral 
Problems’ to the Egyptian

Comedian Ron White will bring his stogie, his Scotch whisky and his show, “Behavioral Problems,” to DeKalb’s Egyptian Theatre this month.

White spoke with this writer several weeks ago from Orlando, Fla., where his son attends college. The “Blue Collar Comedy” comic talked about getting started in the industry, what kinds of Scotch he’s drinking lately and offered a bit of advice for those trying to get in the business.

How does a youngster growing up in a small Texas oil town find his way into comedy?

I guess I found my way into comedy just through listening to comedy albums. And I always had this weird ability to tell a story and make it funny, even as a little kid. I was funny my whole life; I just never thought it was an option. Then someone opened a comedy club near me.

At what point did you know you wanted to be a full-time comic?

I didn’t start until I was 29 years old. It’s OK to start late, because you have a chance to taste the regular life and you have something to write about. When you start at 17, you don’t have as much in common with the regular folks.

I never really thought it would be much more than a hobby. I loved doing it and I loved it back then. It just kind of grew into that. There were already like 50 comedians in the Dallas-Fort Worth area where I started. Of all them, I’m the only one headlining big theaters and shows; it’s rare that a career like this happens.

In what ways have your Texas roots influenced your method and style as a comic?

I don’t know. I’m not that analytical. I don’t really pay attention to how it works; I just kind of watch it go. We all have a common thread. I do standup all over the country and people laugh at the same thing. Their intrinsic nature is the same no matter where you are. I don’t think it has anything to do with the region; I think it’s just that I’m a really good storyteller and I just love comedy.

Is there any kind of message you’re trying to deliver to your fans and audiences when you take a stage?

There really is nothing to learn. You don’t walk out of my show any smarter, that’s for sure. You know, I just like to make people laugh. I mean, that’s my only job. I think it’s good; I think people love to laugh. I love to get laughed up.

Had you not found such success in comedy, what might you be doing for a living instead?

If I hadn’t found success in comedy, I would have been selling stuff. I was a pretty good salesperson. I would have been selling windows or doors or weed or whatever I could get my hands on.

What’s your main brand of Scotch?

Right now I’m really digging the 18-year-old Macallan. But I like a lot of them. The really old Highland Park is like cake to me. But I try to drink more Macallan than anything else.

Probably a silly question, but are you really drinking Scotch on stage during your performances?

Absolutely. It would probably be better if I could fake it, but I’d just feel phony.

To what degree does your persona on stage resemble the everyday Ron White off stage?

Well, you know if I was going to give anybody a piece of advice on standup comedy, it’d be try to learn to be true to your nature. Try to be who you really are on stage. And the closer you are to that, the more connected they feel to you and the more connected you’ll feel to them. I’m Ron White before I go on stage and I’m Ron White when I get off. It’s not a persona to me. I like to smoke and drink and tell stories, so that’s really all I needed. And that’s the common denominator for all the guys who have really hit a home run in this business.

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If you go

What: Ron White's "Behavioral Problems"

When: 7:30 p.m. March 24

Where: Egyptian Theatre, 135 N. Second St., DeKalb

For tickets: Visit www.egyptiantheatre.org, call 815-758-1225 or visit the box office at the theater. Box office hours are 2-6 p.m. Tuesday, 11 a.m.-3 p.m. Thursday and one hour prior to showtime.

Note: This show is for mature audiences.