Comedian Lewis Black Stresses Need for Passion in Career

Grammy Award-winning comedian Lewis N. Black stressed the importance of pursuing one’s passions at a “Conversations with Kirkland” event on Monday afternoon, including fits of laughter along the way.

“The best thing you can do for yourself is to take some time to figure out what you are interested in and do it,” Black said on Monday, which marked his second visit to Kirkland House, as he attended the forum last year as well. “Otherwise I’m just going to tell you, you are fucked.”

Black encouraged students to “do things that mean something to you and follow your passion because everything else is meaningless.”

Black used his own life as an example of pursuing a passion despite certain obstacles.

“On the economic ladder, a playwright is financially just below a crack whore,” he quipped. “Only a crack whore has more motivation.”

Despite the financial struggles he encountered, Black said he pursued his acting because “content is doing what makes one happy, and theater made me happy.”

He said his interest in theater developed at a young age because his parents often took him to theater.

“I got hooked on theater,” Black said, “even though it was totally out of my realm.”

Black said he excelled academically, knowing “early on how to pace myself and study,” adding that he graduated third in his class of about 500 students.

“I should have been in law, but why didn’t I go into law?” Black said. “It makes me sick.”

On the other hand, Black said he found something attractive about theater.

“It’s a fruity way to put it, but [theater is] magical,” he said.

“It’s something in real time with everyone present,” he added.

The conversation deviated from the traditional format as it also included a dialogue between Black and Professor Kenneth S. Rogoff exchanging ideas about the economy.

Black pressed for providing health care for everyone and redistributing wealth.

“People who don’t understand this are shitholes,” Black said.

“I’m learning a lot of new words and sign languages,” Rogoff replied, referring to a sign language translator who was sitting behind Black and translated the conversation during his speech.

Although Black said he believes the economy is improving, “the fact that there is no job market may be a blessing in disguise. You have the opportunity to create your own job,” he said.

The “Conversations with Kirkland” Series was founded in 2002 by Peter V. Emerson, resident scholar of Kirkland house and former Kennedy School of Government student, and co-housemasters Tom C. Conley and Verena A. Conley. The event was co-sponsored by the Office of the Arts and Kirkland House.

—Staff writer Jane Seo can be reached at janeseo@college.harvard.edu.