Mark Breslin is a Canadian entrepreneur, stand-up comedian and actor best known for being the co-founder (along with Joel Axler) of Yuk Yuk's, the largest chain of comedy clubs in Canada. He also graduated from York University with a B.A. Honours in English Literature.Soon after graduating, Breslin became Director of Theatre and Music for Harbourfront Corporation, an innovative cultural organization which produces events and activities at numerous venues on Toronto's waterfront. He is a founding member of the Canadian Comedy Awards, and was a comedy mentor for the B.C. Festival of the Arts.In 1976, Breslin and his collaborator Joel Axler opened the first Yuk Yuk's, in the basement of Toronto's Church Street Community Centre. Four years and many sweaty shows later, Breslin and Axler moved the Yuk Yuk's flagship to 1280 Bay Street in the trendy Yorkville district. Over the next few decades, Yuk Yuk's would expand its presence nationally and internationally. Presently, there are 14 clubs across Canada.Breslin made several guest appearances in the Robocop: The Series television series. He also appeared in an episode of Kenny Vs Spenny. His most recent film credit was as "Bob" in the movie Confessions of a Porn Addict.Breslin has produced such television programs as The Late Show with Joan Rivers for Fox Broadcasting, Yuk Yuk's - the TV show for CBC TV and Mondo Taboo, two pay-per-view specials for The Movie Network and The Yuk Yuk’s Great Canadian Laugh Off annual TV special for The Comedy Network, which he also hosts. He was executive producer on Friday Night with Ralph Benmergui for CBC TV and Yuk Yuk's 25th Anniversary Special for the Comedy Network. He was also a story consultant for the first two seasons of Kenny vs Spenny for CBC TV and Showcase and an associate producer of Petal Pushers on HGTV.In addition to television, Breslin has also worked in radio, developing "Live from Yuk Yuk's", a daily radio show syndicated by the Telemedia Radio Network on over 80 stations coast to coast. Breslin was the program director and an on-air personality on the XM Satellite Radio channel Laugh Attack, which features predominantly Canadian comedy and is Canada's only 24-hour Canadian comedy channel. He hosted a call-in shows on Q107 and CFRB and has appeared as a featured panelist on multiple episodes of ROB TV's The ArtS Panel and Global Television's Grumps. He has written four books so far - "Zen and Now" (Somerville House), a popular Brian Mulroney joke book "Son of a Meech" (Random House), and an autobiographical novel, "Control Freaked" (Insomniac Press). Mark also wrote and narrated two 5-CD audio book, published by Harper Collins, titled “Yuk Yuk’s Guide to Canadian Stand-Up” and “Rarities and Road Warriors”. Add to this, innumerable book reviews for The Globe and Mail, The Toronto Star and The Quill and Quire, and his monthly comedy column, now in its tenth year, for the Village Post Magazine. He also writes a weekly movie review column alongside Richard Crouse in the Metro newspaper. Breslin is a much sought-after public speaker. Selected speaking engagements have included the American Comedy Institute in NYC, the Big Bear Comedy Workshop in L.A., Association for Campus Entrepreneurs (Toronto keynote address), York University Cultural Studies Program, York University Department of Philosophy, Toronto Jewish Film Society, Variety Club of Toronto, MENSA Society of Canada, Glendon College Alumni Association, among others.In 2014, Breslin was included in the Toronto Star's list of 180 most influential people to come out of Toronto. In the 2013 documentary, "When Jews Were Funny," Breslin said Jews were "bred into intelligence" due to the Holocaust, insinuating that those killed were somehow less intelligent.
Canadian Comedy Award for Juried Categories / Chairman's Award
Movies
Confessions of a Porn Addict, Mr. Nice Guy, The Gallery of Lost Art
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Quote
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When I was sixteen, 'Barbarella' became my favorite movie set in outer space. That is, Jane Fonda's cleavage. But if it's cheese you're looking for, I want to nominate 'Mars Needs Women', a made-for-TV movie from 1967. Basically a beach party flick set in outer space, featuring amazons, strippers and secretaries, it's best appreciated late at night with the kind of wine that comes in a box.
2
[ on 'The Colony'] Hey, I like a feral cannibal as much as the next guy. I mean, it's not like I'm vegan.
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Fact
1
Son, Jackson, with wife Karina Lemke born November 1, 2010.
2
Founder and owner of Yuk Yuk's comedy chain.
Miscellaneous
Title
Year
Status
Character
Kenny vs. Spenny
2002-2004
TV Series series consultant - 27 episodes
The Late Show
1986-1987
TV Series comedy coordinator - 12 episodes
Producer
Title
Year
Status
Character
Great Canadian Laugh Off
2006-2011
TV Series executive producer - 6 episodes
Petal Pushers
2008
TV Series associate producer - 13 episodes
Kenny vs. Spenny
2005-2006
TV Series associate producer - 13 episodes
Friday Night with Ralph Benmergui
1993
TV Series producer - 1 episode
Writer
Title
Year
Status
Character
Great Canadian Laugh Off
2008-2009
TV Series writer - 2 episodes
Kenny vs. Spenny
2002-2004
TV Series consultant writer - 27 episodes
Mr. Nice Guy
1987
story
Actor
Title
Year
Status
Character
The Being Frank Show
2011
TV Series
Single White Spenny
2011
TV Series
Confessions of a Porn Addict
2008
Bob
Burnt Toast
2005
TV Movie
Minister
RoboCop: Prime Directives
2001
TV Mini-Series
Archie Nemesis
Stealing Images
1989
Short
Goofballs
1987
Yuk Yuk's Manager
The Funny Farm
1983
Paul
Thanks
Title
Year
Status
Character
The Dance
2011/I
Short special thanks
Self
Title
Year
Status
Character
When Jews Were Funny
2013
Documentary
Himself
Alone Up There
2012
Documentary
Himself
Great Canadian Laugh Off
2006-2011
TV Series
Himself - Host
The Hour
2009
TV Series
Himself
Kenny vs. Spenny
2005
TV Series
Himself - Judge
Comedy Gold
2005
TV Short documentary
Himself
Global Late Night
2004
TV Series
Himself
The Frank Truth
2001
Documentary
Himself - Owner: Yuk Yuk's
Life and Times
2000
TV Series documentary
Himself
The Alan Thicke Show
1982
TV Series
Himself
Known for movies
Kenny vs. Spenny (2002-2006) as Miscellaneous Crew