Toby Huss Kicks Comic Ass (At Largo Tonite!)

The fearless comic performer Toby Huss (seen here in this pre-Austin Powers/Bond send up "Get Me Cobalt") will be performing as his twisted Frank Sinatra character Rudy Casoni at LARGO tonite. As part of "Jim Turner Presents....", Toby is just one of several L.A. based performers taking part in this alt-vaudeville revue that the equally fearless and comically gifted actor Jim Turner will be doing monthly at Largo. (Jim's MTV character Randee of the Redwoods became a darkhorse candidate for President back in the day. Maybe he should run again? For the Republicans! Lord knows they need SOMEONE!)

Tonite is the launch of this 'every last Monday of every month' event and also performing are Dana Gould, Mark Fite, Todd Carlin and yours truly (with Kristian Hoffman and band) providing musicality to the comic proceedings.

Toby's James Coburn/Bond video may have, as the YouTube description suggests, given Mike Meyers an idea or two. In it he plays almost every character (I particularly like the Wally Cox inventor). I first met Toby on the set of the 90's Nickelodeon show "The Adventures of Pete & Pete". I was guest-starring as a mail carrier who befriends the younger Pete. Toby was a regular playing the out-of-control local "superhero" Artie, The Strongest Man In The World. I think in that episode he was helping the older Pete make a scarecrow entirely out of lunchmeat. I immediately took to Toby's wacko sensibility and we became friends. I later got to hang out with him in San Antonio, Texas where we were both shooting the very indie (back when they were truly independently produced) romance flick Still Breathing. Toby played Brendan Fraiser's best friend and I'll never forget laughing myself sick watching the dailies. Toby improvised in every scene -- until co-star and Hollywood (and All About Eve) icon Celeste Holm put the brakes on the nuttiness. I think she was offended by some of Toby's hilarious ad-libs about 'Grandma.'

Toby Huss later appeared as multiple characters in the Brendan Fraiser remake of Bedazzled. I never saw the film but these clips on YouTube attest to both Toby's AND Brendan's comic brilliance. Toby does a hilarious Marv-Albert-style sportscaster here and then Brendan's Carson Kressley-like lover here. Many may know him from his stint on HBO's Carnivale and as many of the voices on King of the Hill (not to mention being an illustrious alumni of Beavis and Butthead!)

In Jim Turner's show tonight, Toby will perform as Rudy Casoni, the bastard son of Frank Sintra. Believe me, it's worth the price of admission. (See it before the Sinatra heirs go all Celeste Holm on Toby and send the Cease & Desist!) And check out Rudy's sicko Christmas CD here!