Today we’d like to introduce you to Scott Wharton.
Hi Scott, it’s an honor to have you on the platform. Thanks for taking the time to share your story with us – to start maybe you can share some of your backstory with our readers?
My story? My redemption arc doesn’t begin until November 2025. Life from childhood until that point is a series of misfortunate events and terribly made decisions. Growing up in a household full of alcoholics, a child of divorced parents, growing up with dad in his parents house. Life was fairly normal as a kid until grandma passed away then the glue stopped holding the family together. grandpa spiraled and dad did too. Both “men” of my house became terrible examples of how to live my life. Alcohol being the contributing factor to their failure as role models. Such bad role models in fact that my very generous father shared his crack with me at the age of 15. I dropped out, found work with the family business of tree removal and lumber work. I sold drugs and bounced around town (Spotsylvania County Virginia) for years, finally finding stand up comedy in 2018. I was living in a motel at the time and ended up living there another 3 years. I stopped smoking crack June of 2018 and was clean up until fall of 2021 when I was living in Austin and found out about the magic off purchasing drugs from strangers off the street. I started drinking more and slipping down a steep slope. I had highlights hosting a weekend for Duncan Trussel, spots on secret show, Austin comedy at my fingertips, but my fingertips were too busy combing through the carpet searching for that rock I dropped. I battled addiction on and off for years finally recognizing that I had never done coke or smoked crack while sober only when I was sideways drunk would I engage so I decided to quit drinking. off and on, on and off, off and on again. It wasn’t until I told the woman of my dreams how I felt that it really began to stick. No booze for weeks leading up to telling her and close to a year sobriety since then, finally falling back in to the groove I was in before allowing drugs to distract me from my passion.
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?
The road has been anything but smooth, maybe in some spots but for the most part it’s been a whirlwind of chaos and dread. I feel like I outlined most hurdles along the way but failed to mention the complete identity crisis I went through after moving here to Austin in 2021. I lived in the same hometown the same DC suburb for 30 years of my life. I went to the same elementary school the same middle school the same high school so I’ve never had to be the new kid once in my life until entering the Austin comedy scene. I had no idea who I was or how to act or where I fit in, I lost complete sight of myself and didn’t find it for year (drug abuse didn’t help make it clear)
Thanks – so what else should our readers know about your work and what you’re currently focused on?
Im a stand up comedian who specializes in talking shit going with the flow and letting it fly – I’m known for my high energy, my irreverent humor, and the show I co produce “Dressed To Kill Comedy” I’m most proud of my adaptability, my ability to turn a room back on track, to save a mild show, to get the energy up – love bringing a low energy production back to life and getting the audience engaged again. what sets me apart is making fun of everything, holding steady standing behind the mic instead of wandering the stage, and letting it fly like a jam band or jazz group. I don’t know what jokes I’m gonna tell until they come falling out of my mouth
Do you have any advice for those looking to network or find a mentor?
networking is so gross. just go be out in your scene and have fun then let the rest fall in too place – what you found is that you naturally build RELaTIONSHIPS not NETWORK. RELATIONSHIPS ARE WAY MORE VALUABLE FROM A PERSONAL AND BUSINESS STAND POINT. KEEP AN OPEN MIND BECAUSE ITS PROBABLY THE PERSON YOU LEAST EXPECT THAT WILL go the hardest for you or collaborate with you in a way that completely aligns visions and makes the work seamless. what works well for me is not forcing things, mentors and networks will find you so just keep your eyes peeled.
Contact Info:
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/thisisnot_scott/
- Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@ScottWhartonComedian
