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By now you have either seen the movie The Hangover, have a friend who has told you how funny the movie is, or can’t avoid hearing about the buzz.  If you haven’t seen it yet, but found yourself wondering…. no, you don’t have to currently have a hangover to enjoy it…no you don’t have to be in college…. or even have been to Vegas for that matter.  All you need to do is be ready to be entertained.

The film stars Bradley Cooper best known for his memorable role as the angry, controlling boyfriend of Rachel McAdams in Wedding Crashers.  It just seemed a matter of time that he would become a leading man. By definition I suppose that ‘The Hangover’ would officially be Bradley Cooper’s first top billing film, however it is not just Mr. Cooper that stands out in this film. We clearly have to give solid kudos to Ed Helms and Zach Galifianakis’ dry and unsuspecting humor.

Like such films as The 40 Year Old Virgin, Animal House, and Caddy Shack, The Hangover is clearly showing signs of being a timeless classic comedy. One of those movies that you could easily watch over and over and eventually will know every scene, every line, and will always crack up laughing.  Quotes like:  “Counting cards isn’t illegal, its frowned upon, like masturbating on an airplane”…or… “Oh my God she is wearing my grandmothers Holocaust ring”… and how can anyone forget… “Tigers love pepper, they hate cinnamon” will certainly find their place in quotable movie history.

What is it about this film that makes it so funny?  Reminiscent to its predecessors, these types of comedies do not work by just one man alone, it is indeed the chemistry of the co-stars that makes it tick… but let’s be honest, the entertainment was across the board, served up by the comedic performances of the rest of the cast.

So who are these hysterical people in The Hangover that seem to have come out of nowhere yet are so enjoyable to watch? The answer comes straight from years of performing stand-up and improvisational comedy.

Before Ed Helms (Stu Price) was on The Office, he began performing with the Upright Citizens Brigade in New York. As for Zach Galifianakis (Alan Garner), I’m sure he might not agree that his success came overnight, because I can remember enjoying watching him in 1995 on stage at Stand Up New York.  He was always hilarious and I am not surprised that he has found his way to the big screen.

Mike Epps was probably the most well known of the stand-up comedians that co-starred in the film. It seemed that laughter was the best medicine for Mr. Chow played by Ken Jeong (Knocked Up, Pineapple Express) because he completed his medical residency, won the Big Easy Laff-Off, was discovered by Improv founder Budd Friedman, handed in his stethoscope and headed to Los Angeles.

What about the wedding chapel owner with the foreign accent? You’ve definitely seen Bryan Callan pop up on one your favorite TV shows.   But it is indeed his stand-up comedy experience that got him this far. How can we forget the bitchy girlfriend… you know that face, and those glasses! For Rachael Harris it was performing with the improv troupe, The Groundlings that worked for her.

Why is it that stand-up and improv comedy backgrounds can make a comedian seemingly springboard into an amazing acting career. Well there is no secret tunnel to success, however it is a hell of a blueprint. Performing comedy of any kind comes with hard work, constant writing and performing, taking risks, finding an audience, building your act and most importantly having balls… oh and lets not forget the possible embarrassment, hecklers, and the little to no paycheck.

It all sounds scary… and it is, but that tough love will develop you in a way that will give you the “chops” to be able to withstand absolutely anything that is thrown at you.   Performing comedy will not only get you noticed, but also enable you to think quickly on your feet and will give you the ability, the instincts, the timing, the confidence, and the overall edge to be an amazing actor.

So if you are serious about a career in TV or film, then do yourself a favor and join one of the many improv troupes like The Groundlings, Second City, or Improv Olympic and you can be the next Steve Carell, Chris Farley or Amy Poehler. Of course if you think that your life is so funny, then get your ass on stage and start performing stand-up and maybe you could be lucky enough to star in your own sitcom like Jerry Seinfeld, Rosanne Barr, or Ray Romano.

No matter what happens, remember that laughter is a gift. Good luck!