Entertainment

 Master of Ceremonies, Jim McAleese

Jim McAleese is a stand-up comedian, film and television actor, copywriter and radio news announcer.

His start in the entertainment business came in 1976 working as a radio news reporter and announcer (CHOO Radio in Ajax) after graduating from Toronto Metropolitan University with a Bachelor of Arts in Journalism.
From there, he made the leap to stand-up comedy in 1979 and quickly established himself as a headlining act working clubs, campuses, and corporate events from St. John’s to Vancouver.

For the past 45 years, Jim has been spinning hilarious yarns about his family, getting older, the joys of having three kids, and the years of frustration as a Toronto Maple Leafs fan. It’s been said Jim’s material is so clean, you can bring your grandparents’ grandparents to the show.

Jim’s first stand-up appearance on network television came in 1982 on “The Alan Thicke Show.” Over the years he has also appeared on “A&E’s Evening at the Improv,” “Comedy at Club 54,” “CBC Comics!,” “Smith & Smith” and “The Don Harron Show.”

His favorite venues however are live theatres and he has worked many of them across Canada as a featured performer with headliners such as Marvin Hamlisch, Neil Sedaka, The Nylons, and Air Supply.

Jim is also an accomplished film and television actor with several appearances on shows such as Corner Gas, Dan For Mayor, and Murdoch Mysteries. His film appearances include “Frequency” with Dennis Quaid and “Flash of Genius” with Greg Kinnear.

His TV network writing credits include The Geminis, The Genies, and the NHL Awards.
For the past 11 years, Jim has also taught stand-up at Second City in Toronto. Thanks to Jim’s expertise and guidance more than 400 former students are now working at various levels in Canada’s stand-up scene.