By Krystle Uy
For the Daily Titan

Not many family men have it in them to wake up early, go to work and make time for their kids; Jim Breuer is the exception.

Breuer, the stand-up comedian and actor who rose to fame as a cast member on Saturday Night Live as well as appearing in the stoner flick Half Baked has a new focus these days: his family. His new comedy show, “Family Man,” makes use of colorful impressions to illustrate life with his wife, children and his elderly parents.

“The new show is like Bill Cosby in a Metallica shirt,” Bruer said.

Breuer knew he wanted to be a comedian ever since he was a child. He did some sketch comedy in his senior year of high school and started to perform at comedy shows in 1985, drawing influence from Steve Martin, Richard Pryor, Eddie Murphy and George Carlin.

“I knew in 1989 this is what I’m doing for the rest of my life. I’m an entertainer,” he said.

Breuer recounted his favorite memory from his career thus far.

“Probably the first time I got to do a sketch with Joe Pesci and Robert De Niro.” One of Breuer’s consistent sketches on SNL involved him doing an uncanny impersonation of Joe Pesci alongside Colin Quinn as De Niro. “They’re the ones that wanted to do it. They were there just to do one sketch with me.”

Breuer noted that he only does impressions of people he is a fan of. “I’m a storyteller,” he remarked.

His break on SNL was a two-month process, which included three meetings, “comedy club fate,” and three auditions. He was the last new cast member at the start of the 1995 season.

Breuer said, “My first big break was the Uptown Comedy Club. My next big break is yet to be seen.”

Breuer’s relationship with his father plays a significant role where Bruer is headed nowadays. He does a very convincing, hysterical portrayal of his father in his stand-up including re-enacting embarrassing moments such as the incident where his father had an accident in his pants. His father doesn’t seem to mind and he even accompanied him on his tour last year.

“I make sure I have enough time (with my family). I take them on the road with me,” he said.

Another project Breurer is working on that includes his father is a documentary film. His other future plans include the live action comedy film, The Zookeeper, in which he plays a voice alongside with Adam Sandler and Kevin James as zoo animals who help their zookeeper woo a woman. Breuer also has a TV pilot in the works with NBC, which characterizes his current standup show. He is currently seen in an ad campaign for Pizza Hut.

When asked about the commercials, Breuer remarked “It came out of the clear blue sky. No audtioning.”

Breuer also had time to write a book.

“It’s an autobiography – what was going on in my life while you were watching Half Baked, this is what was going on at home.”

Breuer also has a radio show on Sirius Satellite called “Fridays with Breuer.” The show is about real life, no talk of news or media is involved in the show.

“The stage is much different than radio. Radio is a well-oiled machine, flying off the top. At home (the stage), it’s just dad and son.”

Breuer has appeared in two one-hour Comedy Central stand-up specials Hardcore and Let’s Clear the Air which was re-aired on Nov. 25 with a special segment called Thanksgiving with the Breuers. It was filmed with his family a few weeks ago.

With such a busy schedule, it’s a wonder what leisure time he has, if any. However, at the end of the day he’s still very much a family man. When asked about what he does in his free time he said, “I play with my kids.”

Jim Breuer performed at the Brea Improv Nov. 19 – 22. His current tour will end Dec. 12 in New York.

The days of stoner jokes and “Goat Boy” may be gone, but a new comedic era of family hijinks is here to stay.