Background
Kawie was born in Springfield, Massachusetts.
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John Kawie
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He attended Williston Northampton School.
Career
Kawie ran the family business "Kawie Tool Supply" for seventeen years supplying the aerospace industry. In 1990 he sold his company and moved to New York City to become a stand-up comedian. As an Arab-American comic his comedy focused on funny situations related to his heritage.
He co-produced a multicultural stand-up show called “Those People” which was featured in Alan King’s 1995 Toyota Comedy Festival in New York City.
He was a substitute host for Dick Cavett on his radio show, he also contributed material to Dennis Miller’s show on Home Box Office. He also appeared in television commercials. At the age of 47, Kawie experienced a serious stroke.
While undergoing therapy at the Rusk Institute he was a consultant with Robert De Niro, whose character was a stroke survivor in the Joel Shumacher film “Flawless”. Kawie was unable to continue as a standup comedian, so he switched to writing a solo show, “Brain Freeze” which is about his experiences during and after his stroke.
“Brain Freeze” has been performed Office Broadway and at theaters and hospitals throughout the country.
“Brain Freeze” was performed at the 2003 International Fringe Festival in New York City in 2003, and was declared Best Solo Show. In 2010 the performance was recorded live at Gotham Comedy Club in New York City in front of a lively full house, and is available in Digital Video Disc. ()
He has been a keynote speaker for hospitals and stroke support groups around the country.
Achievements
Politics
Kawie was a regular as a writer and performer on “The David Brenner Radio Show”, and a contributor to Bill Maher’s monologue on Comedy Central’s award winning show “Politically Incorrect”. lieutenant has received critical acclaim from the national press, the medical community, The Lancet, and several other reviewers.
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Born
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Nationality
Arab-American