Drew Carey

Drew Carey is an American actor and entertainer.

Carey was born on May 23, 1958, in Cleveland, Ohio. His father died when he was eight years old. His father's death caused Carey to become deeply depressed. He later enrolled at Kent State University and then joined the United States Marines.

Following his service in the Marines, Carey returned to Cleveland. A friend encouraged him to become a stand-up comic in 1986. He became one of America's best-known comedians following a performance on The Tonight Show in 1991. Carey went on to perform in several television comedy specials, including the Tenth Anniversary of the Montreal Comedy Festival, The Mr. Vegas All-Night Party, HBO's 14th Annual Young Comedians Show, Comic Strip Live, The Sunday Comics, Hot Country Nights, MTV 1/2 Hour Comedy Hour, Comics Only, Showtime Comedy Club Network, Comedy on the Caribbean, and Comedy on the Road.

In 1995, Drew Carey starred in his own television show called The Drew Carey Show. The show was set in Cleveland and followed Carey, who played an unhappy employee in a department store. The show aired new episodes until 2004 and is still viewable in syndication. After receiving his first paycheck for this show, Carey purchased his childhood home in Cleveland. During this same period, Carey also hosted the American version of Whose Line Is It Anyway? The program featured various stand-up comedians performing impromptu skits for a live studio audience.