Houston, Texas – Houston comedian Chinedu Ogu is proving that the path to success doesn’t always look traditional.
After graduating from the University of Houston, Chinedu says, telling his Nigerian dad he was choosing comedy over a conventional career was a step he had to take.
“If you have immigrant parents, the true test is standing up to them for your dream,” Ogu admitted.
That pivotal moment became the first step in building his voice, his confidence, and eventually, his legacy.
“The world will be very cruel to you, your parents love you and if you can stand up to them and believe in yourself, then they will feel you are ready to do what you say you are going to do,” Ogu said.
Today, the comic proudly represents Houston, the city that sharpened his humor- and when he finally went viral, some comics on the scene questioned his worthiness, but that doubt only fuels Chinedu’s fire.
He’s since become a staple in the Houston comedy scene, working closely with UH Athletics, the Houston Texans, and other community initiatives. Chinedu’s ties to sports reflect his belief that comedy, like athletics, takes discipline, endurance, and showmanship.
One of his proudest honors came in the form of a proclamation day from the late Houston Mayor Sylvester Turner, recognizing his cultural and community impact. Another proud day was when Chinedu sold out an auditorium independently for his own comedy show. It was a sold-out crowd that finally made his dad say, “I want to tell everybody this is my son, I’m proud of him” (in a Nigerian accent of course).
Chinedu’s comedy tour goes national this year, bringing Houston humor to audiences across the country while keeping his roots front and center. If you’d like to see him before he hits the road, he’ll be at Punchline Houston Comedy Club, on Thursday, January 15th.
Houston helped raise him, comedy helped define him, and now the nation gets to meet him — but Houston? The ‘H’ will always claim him first.