Alonzo Bodden is a comedian, dog lover, motorcyclist, and a world traveler with a curious mind.

Alonzobodden.com

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Q. If you are in recovery, what was your drug(s) of choice and when is your sobriety date?

A. Cocaine, weed, and alcohol. By cocaine I mean crack 3/15/1988.

Q. What do you like most about 12-step meetings?

A. I gained perspective and at this point I never want to forget I’m an addict.

Q. Do you think addiction is an illness, disease, a choice, or a wicked twist of fate?

A. I don’t know. I’m ok with the disease description, but as my first sponsor said, “It’s not about why, it’s about fixing the problem.” He said, “When you get a flat do you change a tire or walk up the road looking for a nail?”

Q. Who is your favorite celebrity in recovery?

A. I don’t know that I have one. Never comfortable with making them special in the rooms.

Q. If you ever retire, would you prefer to live by the ocean, lake, river, mountaintop, desert, or penthouse?

A. Desert.

Q. Is there anything special in your sobriety toolkit that helps keep you sober?

A. Contact with my core guys and daily prayer.

Q. How do you measure success?

A. Unfortunately, I often compare but at my best, success is peace of mind and spirit.

Q. What is your biggest pet peeve?

A. A few, but the worst is people not doing what they promise or bad service.

Q. If you had an extra million dollars, which charity would you donate it to?

A. Animal care and rescue.

Q. Who has been the biggest influence throughout your life?

A. Too many to list. Fortunately, my sponsor is one. My mom. George Wallace in comedy.

Q. From what school of thought or teacher did you learn the most from?

A. Can’t say it was just one. A teacher named Volpicelli got me through HS geometry, the only thing I came close to failing. Mrs. Holland in HS saw my gift for language, but I didn’t listen to her and I wish I had.

Q. Where are you from and where do you reside now?

A. St Albans, Queens NY. Now in Summerlin, Las Vegas.

Q. If you were giving a dinner party for your 3 favorite authors, living or dead, who would they be?

A. Tim Dorsey, Christopher Moore, Jeffery Deaver, and Walter Mosley.

Q. What is your Astrological sign?

A. Gemini.

Q. What’s your concept of a Higher Power?

A. Creativity.

Q. Which film have you watched the most?

A. Star Wars.

Q. What surprised you most about living sober?

A. It’s easier.

Q. If you could give advice to your younger self what would it be?

A. Don’t worry what others think. They don’t care about you they just need something to talk about. Risk the pain of love.

Q. What books are you reading now?

A. Langston Hughes poetry and “The Book of Dog.

Q. What is your favorite App?

A. Instagram.

Q. Are you binge watching any TV series?

A. Just finished Escape at Dannemora.

Q. What is your favorite play or musical?

A. The Wiz.

Q. Who is your favorite performer, living or dead?

A. Constantly changing. I’d say Denzel Washington.

Q. What is your favorite musician and or band?

A. Robert Glasper, Stanley Clark, and Weather Report.

Q. What is one word you would use to describe yourself?

A. Funny.

Q. What is your favorite city?

A. Montreal.

Q. What sport(s) do you like to play or watch?

A. Basketball.

Q. What is your favorite cuisine?

A. Italian.

Q. What is the best piece of advice someone has given you?

A. Don’t drink no matter what.

Q. What is the best piece of advice you’ve given someone else?

A. Spend the money, life is short.

Q. Have you ever been arrested and, if so, what for?

A. Possession of coriander. One night in jail. My bottom.

Q. What is one thing that always makes you smile?

A. My dog, Hulk.

Q. What was the proudest moment in your life?

A. New Faces of Comedy Show at Just for Laughs. That show made me a real comic.

Q. What is a style trend you wish would come back?

A. Baggy pants.

Q. What do you love most about yourself?

A. Haha, ask my therapist. I guess making people laugh but I’m not a big fan of me.

Q. What are five things you always carry with you?

A. Money that’s about it. I don’t have a purse.

Q. What is your biggest fear?

A. Love.

Q. Where do you go when you want to be alone?

A. Home with my dog or a motorcycle ride.

Q. What is your biggest regret?

A. Too many to list. Probably buying a house in Santa Clarita in 2006, that deal lost me a fortune.

Q. What is the greatest risk you’ve ever taken?

A. Giving up an aircraft career for comedy. Never looked back.

Q. What is something you are currently curious about?

A. My personal life as material for comedy.