Because I’m Funny, That’s Why! Written by Corretta L. Doctor
Rodney Perry is THE funny man. He is a comedian, actor, writer, and published author of the recent book, ‘Moments on My Journey’, a chronical of significant moments in his life. Rodney dedicated the book to his wife, his six children, his siblings and his parents. Unless you are blind, deaf, and living on Mars, you have likely heard or seen Rodney Perry on radio, television, or film. If you are one of the world’s comedy lovers then likely you have seen him a time or two, or maybe even a few occasions in person on a comedy stage somewhere between the borders of the earth. Due to the current restrictions of COVID-19 social distancing requirements you will have to see Rodney through your phone screen or computer monitors. His social media presence on Instagram is huge….and it is safe for him and you. Although he is color-blind, he can see a bright future ahead of him as he is continuing in an upward spiral in all of his endeavors. Rodney Perry survived the Coronavirus Disease (COVId-19). He contracted the virus and remained hospitalized for 14 days fighting to get better. “I went to the Veterans Affairs (VA) hospital because I am a veteran and they tested me, and I tested positive. I had flu symptoms. It is different for everybody. I never had loss of taste or smell. I had chills, fever, and diarrhea, good gracious, I had diarrhea. The virus had really done a number on my lungs. It diminished my lung capacity and when I
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was released from the hospital and I got home, I could barely walk across the living room without getting winded. It took me 3-4 weeks just to feel comfortable again.” With the good news of Rodney’s recovery, he sends a message to everyone: “This thing is real, and it is not a game.” Rodney says if he doesn’t have to go anywhere he just does not go. “I do everything the Centers for Disease Control (CDC) tells us to do, I wear a mask and social distance. I stopped smoking. When you have issues with your lungs, the last thing you need to do is put smoke in them. I quit cigars. I exercise a lot more, I bought me a Peloton bike. If you make the same mistake more than once, you’re stupid”, says Rodney. Rodney is healthy again and says that there is nothing like performing comedy while being in the room with people. “I am getting back on the road; the long and the short of it is that you must keep your hands clean and hold your breath when you’re taking pictures. Comedians lighten the collective burden, so we are essential workers. I think the future of comedy will become a hybrid of sparse crowds and a pay per view type broadcast show. Comedy from the perspective of business: I asked Rodney to tell me who he gleaned insight from. He says, “The most insight came from Mo’Nique.” Mo’Nique is a comedian and an Academy Award Winning actress. She was known in her early days of comedy from The Queens of Comedy tour