Worldwide arena sellouts in 26 countries. Countless television and movie appearances. Seven hours of content on Netflix. And tens of millions in revenue to make him Forbes' third-richest comic. You wouldn't think a comic with those accolades still would be dealing with the "Wait, who?" treatment, but it's almost a joke to comedy veteran Russell Peters, who has been in the business for more than two decades.
For his newest tour, the 44-year-old Canadian-born comic wastes no time poking fun at the American media and entertainment industry, titling it the "Almost Famous World Tour."
"I always hear, 'He's not that well-known here,' even though I'm selling out arenas and theaters," said Peters, who performs at the Chicago Theatre on Saturday and Sunday. "I don't know what they base success on but I guess I'm famous, or almost famous. I don't know."
Peters-a former DJ-can recall playing gigs at smoky bars where he would have to actually ask the owner to turn off the TVs and close down the pool table so people inside would even look in his general direction. "Owners would get annoyed I'd ask," he said. "I'm like, 'Then why the [bleep] are you having a comedy show?"
It was those experiences that strengthened Peters and helped him to develop his schtick of chatting uniquely with his crowds throughout sets. That, and the day he met comedian legend George Carlin, who told him to perform whenever and wherever possible, not just when it was convenient. "[That moment] lit a fire under my ass and I will never forget it," he said.
We put Peters in the hot seat for a quick-hitter round of questions, asking him to give the first answer that came to mind.
Best stage inside and outside of the United States:"Inside, New York. It's such a melting pot. I need that in the audience, with a mixed demographic. Outside? Australia and New Zealand. Audiences are really alive out there."
Movie he wishes he could have starred in:"'Rush Hour' or 'Midnight Run.' But me thinking I should have starred in those? The movies would have failed."
Who wins when George Carlin, Steve Martin, Eddie Murphy and him get in a fight:"I don't want to toot my own horn, but I've boxed for nine years. Unless Steve hits me with a banjo."
Language he wishes he were fluent in:"Spanish."
Post-show ritual while touring: "Get off stage, sit in my dressing room, do meet-and-greets and after-parties DJing with Starting from Scratch and DJ Spinbad."
Place he hasn't performed yet but would like to:"South America. But they don't speak enough English, and I fear I would go there and wouldn't come back."
Three items he'd sell if he owned a food truck: "Poutine, deep-dish pizza and Jamaican food."
Favorite song to mix into DJ sets: "I will always somehow slip in 'Dreams' by Fleetwood Mac, even if it's only for eight bars, I mix it in."
Career goal not yet accomplished: "I want to star in a successful hit movie. A movie that 10 years down the road, people will stay say, 'That was amazing.' Even if I only star in one movie like that, I don't give a [bleep]. That's on my list."
Regrets from appearing in the movie "New Year's Eve": "I was upset I didn't end up with Sofia Vergara. They cut my scene where I was dancing with her at midnight. So pissed."
What he'd do for a living if stand-up comedy was banned: "I'd DJ full time."
Actor or director he'd want to work with most: "I think everyone wants to work with Martin Scorsese."
sely@tribune.com | @theseanwow