BIO
Actor, Writer, Stand-Up Comedian Cris Nannarone began his career in 1985. He landed his first nationoal commercial for Leon's Furniture, before graduating from Casablanca's Acting Academy. After graduating he went on to make appearances in locally produced films, commercials and t.v. series.
In 1989, Cris relocated to Vancouver and quickly added to his resume with appearances in Feature Films and T.V. Movies of the Week. He also appeared in T.V. series such as: 'Booker', 'Top of the Hill', 'Wiseguy', and 'MacGyver'.
From 1995 to 2001, Cris appeared in the film and television productions, 'Convict Cowboy', 'The Ruby Silver', 'Honey I Shrunk the Kids', 'The Marshal', and 'Bad Faith'.
From 2001 to 2004 Cris was the lead in a series of commercials for Epcor Energy, played a 'SOPRANO'S' type gangster in the feature film, "Cover Story", had a recurring role on the C.B.C. T.V. series, 'Tom Stone', appeared in the independent films, 'Call Me: The Rise & Fall of Heidi Fleiss', 'Scar', 'Sureshot Dombrowski', 'Straight Edge' and 'Blind Love'
From 2005 to 2008 Cris hosted a series of corporate training and recruitment video's for Shell/Albian Sands World, United Safety, Smartboard, United Construction Safety Assoc, Shane Homes, Sterling Western Star as well as a variety of commercials.
Cris continues to work in film, television and corporate videos. Over the years he has built a solid reputation as a versatile and dependable character actor and remains at the top of the casting directors lists.
In October 1990, Cris took on a whole new challenge when he entered the world of STAND-UP COMEDY. "My friends always told me to do it, they dared me, so they're responsible. When it goes well, I take the credit, when it doesn't, I blame THEM”.
Cris' style is traditional 'Old-School Stand-up', a Stage, a Microphone, and an Audience (no shiny stuff). He patterns most of his non-offensive material around his own life, personal experiences, misunderstandings, and confusions. "I exaggerate everything that annoys or confuses me. I don't do much on the opposite sex...they scare me".
When Cris is on stage, you simply cannot take your eyes off him, he commands your attention in the subtlest way, and it feels as though you're listening to an old friend. You can easily see his passion for his craft and his respect for the audience,”..."I never talk down to my audience, or think that I'm better than they are. I have tremendous respect for anyone who goes out of their way, rushing home from work, making plans to come to a comedy show. I also believe that a comic is only as good as his audience, when they work together, it's "MAGIC".
From 1992 to present Cris has toured coast to coast hosting and headlining, clubs, tournaments, conferences, pageants, and festivals. He was one of the few Canadian Comedians to regularly perform at The Riviera Comedy Club in Las Vegas, he has made several appearances on the Comedy Network's, Comedy at Club 54, showcased for ABC, NBC, HBO, FOX, CBS, the Comedy Store, and The Improv, showcased at the prestigious Melbourne Comedy Festival in Australia hosted The Miss Hooter's Canada Pageant.
With Ethnic Comedy shows becoming more popular, Cris has stretched out again and begun performing bilingually, (English/Italian). He has headlined the annual Montreal Italian Week, The Greco Roman Show and The Italian Comedy Festival Tour, in 2006 Cris was a featured performer at Montreal's Just For Laughs Wise Guys Show, The Montreal Gazette called Cris' performance the evening's favorite.
Over the years Cris has toured extensively working hard at honing his skills at Delivery, Timing and Improvisation, "...Sometimes I have the most fun just interacting and playing with the audience", he says. Spontaneity, rapid-fire, high energy delivery, combined with powerful stage presence, voice, body and facial expressions, along with instant likeability has developed Cris into the 'TOTAL PACKAGE', a Strong, Dependable, Consistent, Crowd Pleasing Entertainer, and one of the best Masters of Ceremonies around.
Cris continues to be in high demand for all kinds of corporate and non-corporate functions. Weather in English or Italian, he delivers time and time again.
Cris has been the opening act for; JOHN BYNER, KEVIN MEANY, FRANK GORSHIN, TOMMY CHONG, RICH HALL, DAVID BRENNER, JIMMY WALKER, MIKE MACDONALD and HARLAND WILLIAMS, also with singers KATHY MATTEA, CORY HART, MICHEAL BUBLE and THE BEACH BOYS.
