Judy Carter

Ten years ago Judy Carter formed Comedy Workshop Productions, a school for aspiring comics. Carter also produces the annual California Comedy Conference, attended by executives from top entertainment companies. She is the author of "Standup Comedy: The Book" (Dell Books, 1989) which has sold over 150,000 copies. Carter's latest books include "The Comedy Bible" (Simon & Schuster, 2001), described as the definitive guide to making a career out of making people laugh, and more recently, "The Message of You" and "The NEW Comedy Bible," which have further established her expertise in the field.

Carter's expertise in using comedy to transform lives and careers has created a nationwide demand for her as a corporate and college speaker and workshop leader. Renowned for her motivational speeches, Carter has inspired thousands to use humor to deal with change, increase sales, and enhance speeches, effectively turning problems into punchlines. Her approach uses humor as a transformational tool, making her a sought-after speaker for addressing sensitive issues such as workplace challenges and personal empowerment.

Success in corporate comedy and a pioneering approach to humor have generated feature stories in the Wall Street Journal, LA Times, and New York Times. Fortune 500 companies such as Boeing, Lucent Technologies, FedEx, and Disney have benefited from her "tell-it-like-it-is" (only funnier) approach, particularly noted in her popular keynote "Laughing Your Way Out of Stress." Her philosophy of "don't get mad, get funny" has been showcased on platforms including CNN, ABC World News, and "The Oprah Winfrey Show."

In addition to her work in comedy, Carter has organized a variety of fundraising events, such as "HIV: Humor is Vital," a comedy workshop for people living with AIDS, and has collaborated with groups such as Wellness Community cancer patients and Cedars Sinai social workers. Besides being a professional magician and one of the first women to perform at the prestigious Magic Castle in Hollywood, Carter enjoys snowboarding and is known for making phenomenal matzo-ball soup. She shares her home in Southern California with her cat and two dogs.