by Jeremie Fincher

Kelly Lee Williams is more than Anchorage's favorite comic. He is an actor, an athelete, a DJ, an MC, a host, a radio personality, a singer, a stay-at-home father of six, a professional night owl, and a husband to an equally busy and talented woman. This guy is, hands-down, one of the busiest guys in town. I have been fortunate enough to catch a bit of Kelly's acting work, but it's hard to keep up. Kelly Lee Williams is everywhere, all at once. Full schedule aside, Kelly had some time to sit and chat about his upcoming gig. Children's Meal Mission asked Kelly to open for Tommy Davidson on January 13^th. He accepted, graciously.

Kelly describes the comedy scene in Alaska as "harrowing," but he is doing everything in his power to change that on a daily basis. "There's a big local talent pool here. There's some really funny people here, and nobody's coming to see them, and it disappoints me big time." He hosts "Wide Open Mic" at the S Lounge on Sunday nights and encourages acts of all kinds, especially stand-up comics, to come out and perform. This is one of the only open mics in town that is comedy friendly. "We have nation-wide local talent here. We just have to get the word out. We have to get these kids in front of enough people." Kelly opened for Carl LaBove twice, Eddie Griffin last year, and was slated to open for Wanda Sykes (all in a matter of 3 years), but a very unfortunate and unforeseen booking error bumped Kelly off the bill, leaving Wanda as the sole performer of the evening. This was quite a blow, but didn't slow Kelly down a bit. He's bound and determined to change the Anchorage comedy scene, and beyond, permanently, starting January 13^th.

Kelly moved up to Alaska in 2008 with his wife Dee and six children. Sarah Palin, during a vice presidential debate, mentioned the Alaska Permanent Fund Dividend, and how each resident receives a check "just for being Alaskan." Dee, with her medical background, sent a resume to Providence Hospital and got hired for the Labor and Delivery Management position. The family packed their lives up and moved from Chicago, Illinois where Kelly worked for the Chicago Bulls for 8 years as "IncrediBull," and "Dancing Ref."  The move was so quick that his last Bulls game was his last night in Chicago, and the next day, the Williams' arrived in Alaska. Kelly had made it a personal goal to meet Sarah Palin by the end of 2009, but by means of chance, Kelly ended up meeting Palin within the first month of moving here, working at the Tesoro Iron Dog as a sound man. It's a small world.

Check out Kelly's YouTube Channel!

Kelly has been extremely active in the arts community since he arrived in Alaska. Kelly has worked with Mr. Whitekeys in two 2011 shows. The first run was a 33 night showing of "Whale Fat Follies," in which every show sold out. The second, "Christmas in Spenard," was a 12 show run that sold out before the opening evening. Both were held at Tap Root, the old Fly By Night Club where Whitekeys started everything, and both were huge successes. 

Kelly has also acted in several local plays. Tap Root had a dinner theater showing of Clue last winter, in which Kelly played 'Wadsworth.' He was cast in multiple roles in Tommy at Mad Myrnas. Mr. Whitekeys saw Kelly in a performance of Tommy and hired Kelly for "Whale Fat Follies." Williams starred in Rocky Horror Picture Show (also Mad Myrna's), for which he wrote an article in Alaska Awareness Magazine about losing 30 lbs to play the role of 'Rocky.' Kelly also taught a private comedy class in Spring of 2011 in which 45 people signed up.  Funny enough, Dee Williams is on the Alaska Theater of Youth Board, too.  The Williams' are a very artistic family.

Kelly has multiple facets to his artistic talent, too. He's a singer as well, and recently performed with his son, Kelly Lee Williams Jr., at the Performing Arts Center as part of a 12 member chorus arranged for Step Afrika! The video below is a rehearsal and part of the performance of "Wade in the Water." A majority of his theater gigs are musical, and he's also been known to rock some karaoke, winning a few big contests in his day.

Kelly Lee Williams on the United Center court.

Kelly has several regular events that keep him busy weekly. In proper season, Kelly plays centerfield and bats fourth for the BGES Bobcats. He deejays at the Peanut Farm on Friday night, and every Saturday night after the Rage City bouts and a specially scheduled New Year's Eve gig (Saturday December 31st). As Master of Ceremonies, Kelly is also the voice of the Rage City Rollergirls, and happened to get the Davidson gig via a recommendation of Gracy Kirkham, one of the Rollergirls.

The Rage City Rollergirls

Jeremie plays bass guitar in Anchorage rock band Robots Helping Clones and is an Assistant Editor at Anchorage Night Out. You can reach him at bands@anchoragenightout.com.

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