From Construction To Comedy: Comedians Who Worked On Site

Did you know that these comedians started their careers in the world of construction?

The comedy circuit is tough. Being able to succeed in stand-up takes a lot of grit and determination. Plenty of comedians who you see on screen today supported their stage careers with something a little more practical. In fact, you'll be surprised how many comedians you would have found on site, back in the day. 

While these funny people have left behind the world of construction, don’t be surprised to hear it mentioned in their stand-up specials and live material, as they look for inspiration from a past life. 

Tom Davis

Tom Davis is currently embarking on a few stand-up tours while balancing his work on the Wolf & Owl Podcast with Romesh Ranganathan and his acting career, which includes big hits like Paddington 2 and Wonka. Before comedy though, Davis was working as a scaffolder. 

He worked on building sites as a labourer and scaffolder for around 10 years after leaving school at just 14, before he was able to transition into the comedy realm. He continues to talk about his scaffolding past in his ongoing podcast. 

Sean Lock

The late Sean Lock was an absolute legend of the comedy scene and was introduced to millions more via 8 Out of 10 Cats and the Countdown spinoff. Lock’s career almost took a very different path though. 

In the early 1980s, Lock worked as a labourer on building sites. He would often work for hours on hot roofs and has spoken at length about the need for more mental health support in the industry. 

Bill Burr

Bill Burr has often drawn on the contrast between his past and his present to find new material. Because before starring in The Mandalorian and appearing in plenty of Netflix specials, Burr did just about everything on a building site. 

From cement mixing to heavy labour, Burr worked on numerous construction sites throughout the summers of his youth, before moving into comedy in 1992. He was also a carpenter’s assistant and began to learn the trade before his eventual move to a new world. 

Whoopi Goldberg

In the 1980s, Whoopi Goldberg established herself as a stand-up, finding critical acclaim. She would eventually make her way in Hollywood, starring in the iconic Sister Act and Ghost. 

Yet, Goldberg’s life in California was actually spent as a bricklayer for a huge portion of the 1970s. She even worked on constructing walls in San Diego’s famous zoo and she was eventually given an invitation to the Bricklayers Union, due to her commitment to the role. 

Rowan Atkinson 

Rowan Atkinson played Mr. Bean, Johnny English and Blackadder. He’s starred in all-time greats like The Thin Blue Line and Love Actually and toured his live comedy shows. It was never the plan though, because Atkinson was studying to be something quite different. 

Atkinson had planned to be an electrician and had studied electrical engineering at Newcastle University. He then pursued a Master's in the same field at Oxford University. But while studying there, he joined a famous comedy group called the Oxford Revue and found a new calling, eventually leaving his degree behind altogether. 

Micky Flanagan 

Micky Flanagan is one of the last of the old school of comedy, a performer who was famous for the ‘out out’ routine that became a staple of his act. Flanagan continues to tour the country, enjoying his life in this field. He also happens to be a handyman at home. 

That’s because Flanagan spent a good deal of his early career as a painter, decorator and furniture maker. He had held various jobs in the East End, including working on construction sites as a manual labourer, but it seemed his decorating work in schools and offices became his most common go-to gig. 

These comedy veterans might have left the world of construction behind, but have continued to fly the flag for those still working in the industry.