Before this deaf comedienne, actress, and motivational speaker acquired the
technology to hear the laugh she evoked, Kathy Buckley felt the vibrations of
the audience reactions through stage floors all across the country. Billed as
the first hearing-impaired comedienne, Buckley has transcended seemingly
insurmountable odds to make her mark as a respected comic.
Kathy entered a 1988 comedy contest on a dare from a friend. After finishing
fourth in a field of many experienced pros, she began to tour the country,
eventually earning the respect of major club venues like Catch A Rising Star,
The Improv, The Comedy Store and The Icehouse. Her hilarious act has garnered
the attention of TV talent scouts as well. Kathy has appeared on comedy shows,
such as "Stand-Up Spotlight"(VH-l), "Comic Strip Live"(Fox), "Evening at the
Improv" and "Caroline's Comedy Hour"(A&E). She has also been the subject of
televised interviews on "Entertainment Tonight," "Live with Regis & Kathie
Lee," "Showbiz Today," at "Never Too Late with Dr. Ruth." In June of 1992, she
got her big break when she performed on "The Tonight Show" starring Jay
Leno.
Kathy was selected from hundreds of performers to showcase as a lecturer at
the 1992 National Association for Campus Activities annual National Convention.
She is also the focus of the documentary. "I Can Hear the Laughter," which won
an Emmy in 1991. Kathy received the Dole Foundation Media Awareness Award for
her dedication to people everywhere with disabilities. Driven by her total
commitment to children, she has served for over three years on the Board of
Directors of The Harmony Project, a non-profit organization dedicated providing
child care for families making the transition from homelessness.
