Forty Over 40

Forty Women to Watch Over 40

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Forty Over 40 Asks: 15Qs for Jane Condon, Comedian

janecondonWelcome to the Forty Over 40 blog. Every week we spotlight one of our honorees and their thoughts on reinvention, mentorship and momentum…plus a peek into what makes them tick.

This week’s Q & A is with Jane Condon a wife and mom who balances her life by getting lots of great material for her stand-up routines from her family, as well as her hometown of Greenwich, Connecticut.  Condon performs at functions ranging from large charity fundraisers to national television.  The WSJ calls Condon “a rarity” whose material “never needs to be laundered.”

1) What was a pivotal momentum of reinvention for you?

I went from being a responsible person (a reporter for FORTUNE and LIFE magazines; author of a book about Japanese women, A Half-Step Behind,) to being a comedian where I could say what I wanted to say.

2) Who has been a valuable mentor or sponsor?

NYU film professor Susan Sandler who wrote the delightful and very popular movie called Crossing Delancey. She gave me her time spot at Ensemble Studio Theatre for my one-person show. She gave me my beloved director. Most of all, she gave me encouragement. She believed in me from the moment she saw my comedy. I have been a cheerleader for many young comics (particularly women) but this was my FIRST very own fairy godmother.

3) What is your biggest goal right now?

I am a very good comic. I want to get even better. I want to be a funny voice for women over 40. There aren’t many. And when Betty White dies, I want to take her place. But in the meantime, long may she live!

 4) How did you get your first job? How did you jump to your second job?

My first comedy show was at my sons’ nursery school fundraiser. I got up on a Fisher-Price picnic table, told jokes, and people laughed.

My second job was at Christ Church in Greenwich, CT where a very patrician man came up to me after my show and said, “You are so funny I almost laughed out loud.”

5) What time do you typically wake up? What do you do every morning?

I wake up at 7 AM. (I wake up at 8 AM if I have a show the night before.) Every morning I have grapefruit juice and Banana Nut Cheerios with some organic milk that comes in a red box (recommended by my son). Then I have another dry bowl of Banana Nut cheerios and read my NYT. Then I pop open a can of Diet Coke (my coffee) and get to work.

I rehearse my upcoming show. I outline a game plan for other upcoming shows. I write for each specific show and for my core act. I call friends or fellow comics to try out new jokes. Afternoon is for the business of comedy (bookings, filing, phone calls) and late afternoon is for errands and exercise. Night is for performing or  watching Game of Thrones, Downtown Abbey, Orange Is The New Black, Transparent, Homeland, House of Cards or any Shonda Rhimes show.

6)  How did you feel on your 30th birthday? What were you doing at that time?

Not my favorite birthday. We lived in Tokyo. My husband was working that day in Hong Kong. I wanted to go out to celebrate and I got food poisoning. I remember walking down the street–sick and all alone. (I didn’t know any Japanese doctors. Heck, I didn’t know many people at all.) Hey, what doesn’t kill you makes you stronger. Every birthday since has been MUCH better than my 30th!

7)  How do you unplug? How often do you unplug?

I rarely unplug. I LIKE to work all the time. I guess I unplug for an hour or two when I go to Broadway plays—my secret pleasure and reward. I love movies and TV, too. I watch both on my phone when I am exercising.

9)  What challenge / achievement are you most proud of?

I was the commencement speaker at Wellesley College (my alma mater).

Also appearing on NBC’s Last Comic Standing really helped my career.

10)  What was the last business book you read? 

Sheryl Sandberg’s Leaning In.

11)  What cause do you most want to advance?

I’m very pro-women even though I live in an all-male family (my husband and two boys). Note to self: Get a girl dog!

I went to a woman’s college, I wrote a book about Japanese women, I love women in comedy (I produce a number of all-female shows, a rarity in comedy where women are usually only one per show). I’m strongly pro-choice. I love female politicians. We need more. If you have a uterus, I will make a small donation!

12)  What song can’t you get out of your head? 

Happy by Pharrell Williams! Celebration by LLCool J. Work It by Missy Elliott.

13)  What is the best piece of advice you ever received?

My dad died when I was 15 so I learned early on that “life is short.”

14)  What is your “keep me going” quote?

The Japanese proverb: Be a nanakaroobi, yaoki (a seven-times fall down, eight-times get up) kind of person.

15) What is your secret indulgence?

 Fig Newtons.

16)  Who on the list of prior Honorees would you like to meet?

Actually on this year’s list I would be thrilled to meet Sheryl WuDunn (she wrote about Chinese women, I wrote about Japanese women) and Betsy Beers (she works on the Shonda shows and I watch them and love them).

Check out Lisa Joy Rosner’s full 40 Over 40 profile here!

Whitney Johnson

Whitney Johnson

Whitney is the author of the acclaimed Dare, Dream, Do: Remarkable Things Happen When You Dare to Dream. She has been named on numerous Smart Thinkers and People to Follow lists by major media such as Inc. Magazine, Business Insider and Huffington Post and is quoted in Wall Street Journal, CNN, Fast Company, Forbes and more.
Whitney Johnson