COMEDY LEGEND JAY WENDELL WALKER

I’m reaching out to my fellow comedians and comedy fans to let you know that a senior statesman of our stand-up community could use a helping hand to get through the next few months. My friend of over 40 years and a friend to countless comedians, Jay Wendell Walker, needs our help to catch up on some bills, so he doesn’t have his utilities shut off on December 15. It’s winter in Spokane; need I say anything further?

Those comics who know Jay know that he is one of the kindest and most supportive colleagues in the business. He has had some bad luck that has resulted in numerous medical bills, leaving him unable to work and financially strapped since he’s on a fixed income. After hip replacement, he came down with covid, which put him in the hospital for 45 days!

During that time, people renting out rooms in his house ran up huge utility bills and then skipped out without paying rent that was owed for several months, putting him behind on his mortgage. Jay is on his own, in his 80s and was taken advantage of.

But you won’t hear Jay complain about that or anything else, and he’s mortified that I am putting together this fundraiser, but I told him to swallow his pride; people will want to help you.

Jay has been making people laugh for over 50 years. In his 60s, he shocked the comedy scene, primarily producer Jon Fox, when he won the San Francisco International Comedy Competition at twice the age of the other competitors. He is a comedy legend ( he did stand up on the Ed Sullivan Show!) And I cherish him as a friend, as I know so many do.

I’m asking the comedy community to come together and help one of our own get through 2022. Thanks for your love and support and anything you can give.

With gratitude,

Geoff Young