By MADELEINE MARR, mmarr@miamiherald.com
Kevin Meaney is out and proud, but it wasn't always this way.
The 52-year-old standup comedian -- who got his break on the Tonight Show with Johnny Carson in the '80s -- was married for 10 years. He and ex-wife Mary Ann had a daughter, with whom he currently lives in New York.
It took a stint seven years ago on Broadway's Hairspray to change his life.
``Being on Broadway is like going to gay school,'' said the former SNL regular from a Florida touring stop in Stuart. ``It gave me the courage to come out and be who I am. It's a relief.''
Telling Mary Ann wasn't as hard as he envisioned.
``I just walked in and said, `Honey, I'm homo!' '' cracked Meaney, who came out almost three years ago. ``I think it was definitely tough on her . . . but I always did the cleaning, the cooking, the decorating. I wore aprons!''
Changing teams hasn't hurt his career.
``It's certainly helped my standup,'' he admitted, ``because comedy is based on honesty.''
Meaney will do a gig at 8 p.m. Friday night at Newport Beachside Hotel & Resort's Kitchen 305, 16701 Collins Ave., Sunny Isles Beach. Tickets: 305-749-2110.
Comments