Being Jon Lovitz

With numerous feature films, Subway commercials and memorable "Saturday Night Live" characters like Tommy Flanagan, the Pathological Liar and the Master Thespian under his belt, actor/comedian Jon Lovitz seems to have done it all. But that success isn't enough for the 50-year-old Tarzana, Calif. Native, currently hitting the standup comedy circuit. During a recent phone interview, the star of "NewsRadio," "The Critic" and "A League of Their Own" spoke with me about his late entry into standup, his varied resume and his time on "SNL."

What inspired you to start doing standup comedy?

It's something that I always wanted to do since I was 13 when I saw Woody Allen's "Take the Money and Run." I said to myself, "You know, I'm getting older and I might never get to do this." So I started going to the Laugh Factory in Hollywood about two years ago, and practiced to get the show together.

Whatever I think is funny, I put in the act. I make fun of myself, Judaism, Catholicism and Scientology, some politics, women, men, sex and drugs. I then play piano and sing funny songs about Bob Saget.

You've been getting advice from comedians like Saget, Dane Cook and others. What are they telling you?

Dane said, "You've got the things you need. You're funny and likable." Dana [Carvey] saw me and said that he didn't need to give me advice. Robin Williams said my act was so funny. That was flattering.

You got your start in the improvisational act the Groundlings.

I joined it in my early 20s. I remember driving down to the theater and thinking, "I'm throwing my life away." I didn't think it would go as far as it did.

How did you end up on "Saturday Night Live"?

There was news that Lorne Michaels was coming back to SNL and they were doing a nationwide search. They sent Al Franken and Tom Davis to see me [with the Groundlings]. At that show, no one was laughing except for Franken. I remember thinking, "At least that guy from SNL was laughing." ... I didn't think I was going to get it.

What made you decide to do an impression of Harvey Fierstein?