Small Town Roots, Big Stage Dreams
Jon Reep’s path to comedy stardom began in the most unexpected place—a college campus in Raleigh, North Carolina. Growing up in Hickory as the quintessential class clown, Reep never imagined comedy clubs existed outside of Los Angeles or New York. That changed when he discovered Charlie Goodnight’s comedy club near NC State University, where he was studying.
“I was like the funny guy in high school, and all my friends were telling me I should be a comedian, but I never took them seriously,” Reep recalls. “Until I went to NC State, moved to Raleigh, and there—lo and behold—there’s a comedy club next to campus.”
The Turning Point: When Hobby Became Career
The moment that transformed comedy from pastime to profession came in 1996, when Reep first received payment for his performances at Charlie Goodnight’s. What started as open mic appearances evolved into hosting gigs, and by 1998, he had quit his day job to pursue comedy full-time.
“That was probably the first time I got paid for it,” Reep says of his comedy awakening. “I went there on open mic night and just fell in love with the art of it, the whole culture behind it.”
National Recognition: Last Comic Standing Victory
Reep’s career reached new heights in 2007 when he won Season 5 of NBC’s “Last Comic Standing,” the American Idol equivalent for stand-up comedians. His victory was particularly notable—he remains the only winner to claim votes from a worldwide audience that included viewers from Canada, the UK, and Australia.
“To this day, I’m the only winner of Last Comic Standing who could say that I got more votes than any of them put together,” Reep notes with justified pride.
The competition featured notable contestants, including second-place finisher Lavelle Crawford and fourth-place Amy Schumer, demonstrating the caliber of talent Reep conquered.
Commercial Fame: The “Hemi” Phenomenon
While Reep takes greater pride in his Last Comic Standing victory, his most recognizable work came through Dodge Ram truck commercials featuring his iconic “That thing got a hemi” catchphrase. Running from 2002 to 2007, these six commercials saturated television during an era when viewers couldn’t fast-forward through advertisements.
“It really put my face out there, made my face recognizable, but not so much my name because I was just an actor in a commercial,” Reep explains. “To this day, people will still yell out ‘that thing got a hemi’ at me all the time.”
The commercial success became a strategic advantage for his comedy career, with club marquees advertising “Jon Reep: Hemi Guy,” helping him win over new audiences.
Creative Evolution: From Prepared Sets to Improvisation
Reep’s comedy has evolved significantly over his 27-year career. Initially a storyteller who preferred prepared material, he gradually incorporated improvisation, which now comprises about 25% of his performances.
“I was more of a storyteller—I like to prepare the story and sprinkle jokes within it,” he says. “But slowly I started putting my foot in the water of going off script. It’s like death—either you look really good doing it or you look really bad.”
His material development process has adapted to modern times, drawing heavily from his weekly podcast “The Carolina Reaper,” where discussions of current events and small-town news naturally evolve into comedy bits.
Personal Transformation: From LA to Family Man
After 18 years in Los Angeles (2000-2018), Reep made a life-changing decision to return to his North Carolina roots. His father’s stroke prompted the move, as he wanted to care for his paralyzed parent and support his mother, who had never lived alone.
“I thought, well, this is it—time for me to grow up and be a good son,” Reep reflects on selling his LA condo and returning to Hickory.
The eight-year period since his return has been transformative: his father passed away, the pandemic occurred, but he also found love, married, bought a house, gained stepchildren, and is preparing to become a grandfather.
New Material: “Popsicle” Comedy Special
These life experiences form the foundation of Reep’s upcoming Netflix comedy special, originally titled “Milkshakes and Drugs” but renamed “Popsicle”—his childhood nickname for his father. The special, expected to air this fall, chronicles his father’s unfiltered post-stroke observations and their shared final years.
“He would just say things matter-of-factly, with no emotion behind it,” Reep explains about his father’s condition. “One day he was like, ‘You know what? All I want to do now is milkshakes and drugs.’
Industry Evolution and Staying Power
Having performed full-time since 1998, Reep has witnessed comedy’s transformation through social media and internet culture. His longevity comes from adaptability and a philosophy that embraces both prepared material and spontaneous crowd work.
“Every comedian, especially people who have been doing it for this long, has tough crowds,” he acknowledges. “You just have to learn—it’s trial by fire. Your brain can do amazing things when you exercise it performing in front of people who are judging you.”
Podcast Success and Fan Engagement
Beyond stand-up, Reep maintains connection with fans through “The Carolina Reaper” podcast, broadcast live every Tuesday at 8 PM on YouTube. The show features unique segments, including one where he opens residual checks on air and gives away the money to viewers who correctly guess the amount.
“As an actor, they have to pay me residual checks every time they air something I’ve already been in,” he explains the creative giveaway concept. “I literally sign that very check and mail it to people.”
Coming to Goldsboro
Fans won’t have to wait for the Netflix special to experience Reep’s comedy live. He’ll be performing at the Paramount Theatre in Goldsboro on September 5th at 7:30 PM, bringing his unique blend of storytelling, improvisation, and North Carolina charm to local audiences. Purchase tickets:
Looking Forward
At 53, with nearly three decades in comedy, Jon Reep continues evolving his craft while staying true to his small-town roots. His journey from Hickory class clown to national comedy champion illustrates how authenticity, adaptability, and genuine connection with audiences can sustain a lasting career in entertainment.
His upcoming “Popsicle” special promises to blend his trademark storytelling with deeply personal material, showcasing how life’s most challenging moments can become sources of healing laughter—both for the comedian and his audience.
