For Billy Gardell, life is stand-up, sitcom and … ‘Jersey Boys’

Billy Gardell seems to have one wish granted by being cast in the upcoming movie version of “Jersey Boys,” directed by Clint Eastwood.

“If nothing else happens besides ‘Mike &Molly’ and stand-up, I’m good,” he said last year. “But if I had my druthers I would really love to build a nice character actor career in some indie films and some more dramatic films.”

Most people get that a stand-up comic isn’t the guy he plays on TV. But there are similarities for Gardell, back in town to do stand-up this weekend at The Orleans.

“I try to stay in touch with who I am and where I come from. I don’t ever want to disrespect where I come from because that’s what made me discover my voice,” the 44-year-old Pittsburgh native said last year.

“I think when you write about the common struggles of trying to be a father, or trying to be a husband and trying to be good at those things, those are the common worries and fears of ‘Is it going to be OK?’

“I think when you stay along those themes, then it connects us all.”

Contact reporter Mike Weatherford at mweatherford@reviewjournal.com or 702-383-0288.