Ron James has made a career out of making Canadians laugh from coast to coast. The veteran comedian never grows tired of his frenetic schedule, despite his 70 sold out shows across the country this year.
“Just to see people and talk to people. Getting to meet real people in the place they live,” is one of the joys of James’ career. For the past decade he’s travelled to most of his engagements in his trusty 1999 Toyota 4Runner.
“I’ve driven a lot of highways and byways, and it’s been just an impregnable vehicle,” says the native of Glace Bay, N. S., who’s never been a “high-end car guy.”
“It’s the most reputable and consistent (vehicle),” he says of his Toyota. “When I get something and it’s dependable, I stay with it.” Because he spends so much time on the road, and has to contend with harsh winter driving conditions for standup gigs all over Canada, James, who lives with his family in Toronto, loves having an SUV.
Tomorrow night, the award-winning writer and actor’s eponymous sketch comedy TV show will air it’s New Years Eve Special, and it promises to have audiences in stitches.
And with a new year about to begin, James has his sights set on film and writing a book.
“I just have to find the time. I gotta be locked away in my writer’s cave,” he says. And without a moment’s pause, he adds with the type of humour his legions of fans have come to love:
“Hopefully my arthritic right toe won’t be getting any worse.”
– Heather Buchan is a Toronto-based journalist whohas worked at Homemakers,Canadian Living, Canadian House & Homeand, most recently,Hello! Canada, where she cut her teeth in the world of celebrities.
