Today we’d like to introduce you to Donna Lee Lamendola.
Hi Donna Lee, thanks for sharing your story with us. To start, maybe you can tell our readers some of your backstory.
From my website:
Donna Lee’s comedy journey began in 2006 when she became a finalist on Nick@Nite’s Search for the Funniest Mom in America, earning her early recognition as a rising star in stand-up. For five years, she hit the stage while juggling the full chaos of motherhood, marriage, and a demanding day job. After stepping away to focus on family, Donna made a bold return to comedy full-time in May 2024—and hasn’t looked back since. She’s now performing at top comedy clubs across the country.
Her comedic style is bold, brutally honest, and unapologetically mom-centric. Donna draws from the everyday chaos of family life, the messy beauty of motherhood, and the universal struggle of trying to “keep it all together”—usually with a smile and occasionally with an old fashioned in her hand. Her humor resonates with anyone who’s ever had too much on their plate and still managed to make room for dessert.
Off stage, Donna is just as unstoppable. She co-hosts and produces two hit podcasts, wrangles four wiener dogs, reminds her kids not to microwave metal, and is currently training her husband to cook something—anything—for himself. Donna Lee proves that funny and fierce absolutely go hand in hand.
Alright, so let’s dig a little deeper into the story – has it been an easy path overall and if not, what were the challenges you’ve had to overcome?
It definitely hasn’t been a smooth road. The comedy scene I returned to in 2024 is nothing like the one I left in 2012. When I first started in 2006, I spent five years working part-time as an opener and host. Back then, the job was simple: get booked by the club, show up, be funny, go home. Social media barely mattered.
Now? Completely different world. Headliners are expected to handle most of their own marketing and bring “butts in seats” wherever they go. As an Austin-based comedian, that means I’m promoting shows across the entire country—often in cities where I don’t know a single person—and doing it all on my own dime.
I’ve had to become totally self-taught in every part of showcase and club marketing. Comics help each other when they can, but with social media constantly changing, there’s no single reliable place to learn it all. Every day is trial and error… and sometimes more error than trial.
What I thought would be my biggest struggle—returning to comedy as a middle-aged mom and a clean comedian—has actually become one of my biggest advantages. There aren’t many of us touring the club circuit, and that uniqueness has opened more doors than it’s closed.
Thanks – so what else should our readers know about your work and what you’re currently focused on?
I’m a standup comedian—something I’ve wanted to be since the fifth grade. Growing up in Lockhart, TX, out in the country where it felt like no one even knew I existed, I still knew in my heart and soul that I’d make this dream happen somehow.
I’m known for being clean and “clean-ish,” which isn’t exactly common in this industry—especially when I’m competing for the same club spots as comedians in their 20s, 30s, and 40s. But that’s part of what sets me apart.
I’m proud of a lot of things, but most of all, I’m proud that I returned to my dream job—being a legal drug dealer who hands out dopamine hits for a living. In my year and a half back in the scene, I’ve accomplished more than I ever imagined. Since May 2024, I’ve performed in over 100 shows, and nothing feels better than answering, “What do you do?” with:
“I’m a full-time, touring standup comedian.”
Landing on Search for the Funniest Mom in America in 2006 opened doors for me immediately, and those doors are still open today. I’m also a member of the national touring standup group Moms Unhinged and have appeared on Kill Tony twice.
My age, my gender, my clean comedy, and my sheer tenacity make me different—and that difference is my power. I may not feel like the funniest comedian in the world every single day… but I do know I’m one of the hardest-working ones.
I’m also proud that I’m self-taught in podcasting. I current produce and co-host two wonderfully entertaining podcasts – “The Armor Men’s Health Show with Dr. Mistry and Donna Lee” (758 episodes) and “The Ryan Wayne Salon Podcast with Joseph Ryan and Donna Lee” (165 episodes).
Can you tell us more about what you were like growing up?
Growing up, I was curious, driven, and determined to become something bigger than anyone—including myself—expected from the only biracial girl in a small Texas town. I was always funny, always trying to make people laugh, because humor was my lifeline.
As an only child in a tumultuous and abusive household, I often felt trapped with no escape from what was happening around me. Comedy became the one place I could breathe—the only outlet I had to cope with the trauma.
Like many teenagers and young adults who don’t yet know how to handle pain and grief, I made my share of bad decisions. But I came out stronger, wiser, and more committed to turning all of that hurt into something healing—using laughter as both my coping mechanism and my purpose.
Pricing:
- Private party fees start at $100 for 15 min and up to $500 for an hour.
- Corporate events start at $1000 w/ travel and accommodation’s included.
- I also produce multi-comedian shows too.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.donnaleecomedy.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/donnaleecomedy/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61573093697301
- LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/donna-lee-lamendola-75b7b841/
- Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@donnaleecomedy
- Other: https://www.tiktok.com/@donnaleecomedy
Image Credits
The first two photos are from Troy Conrad Photography and the fourth one is from KnaPic Media. I have permission to use these photos where ever I wish.
