Steve Byrne is a pretty funny guy. So funny in fact, he’s a made a living out of it. He currently stars in the TBS’ top-rated sitcom, "Sullivan & Son," which is approaching its third season debut on June 24th, and is currently touring across the country, and he just released his one-hour comedy special, "Champion," on Netflix. The comic joined us in the FOX411 studio to talk about his good buddy Vince Vaughn, reality stars, and how he evaded the sad comic stereotype.
FOX411: On your way up the fame ladder, which celebrity really helped you out?
Steve Byrne: This all starts and stops with Vince Vaughn. Vince Vaughn is the one that put it in my head that maybe I could write a television show. He always said you should write something for yourself because given your background, Korean and Irish, I don’t know how many opportunities you’re going to have unless there’s a Riverdance/Tae Kwon Do movie, then you’re probably out of luck.
FOX411: How did you and Vince meet?
Byrne: It was on the comedy circuit. He was doing the "Wild West Comedy Show." One of the guys got sick on the show, and through the grapevine they heard about me. I went out and did the show within a few weeks; we were all hanging, and best pals. It’s been that way for many years.
FOX411: You became an overnight sensation over a decade, what do you think of all of these reality stars/shows? Do they tick you off since you worked so hard to be legit?
Byrne: I’m jealous. No, no. It boils down to if you’re going to have a show and if people tune in to watch it, and if it’s successful then people do obviously they’re doing something right because there’s a segment of the population that enjoys that.
FOX411: Is it true that comedians are really the saddest people?
Byrne: That’s true. Most stand-up comedians are, but I’ve always had a great foundation, a core of open communication and a loving family with my parents. They were so supportive with me when I started in New York City, 15 years ago, as a stand-up comedian. For open mic nights, you had to bring two paying customers and my parents were those two paying customers every Friday or Saturday night for the first three months.
For more on Bryne's interview with FOX411, watch the video above.
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