South Orange Comedian Gives Tips To Robert DeNiro

SOUTH ORANGE, NJ — South Orange now has a bona-fide connection to legendary actor Robert DeNiro: comedian Jessica Kirson.

According to a news release, the South Orange native was DeNiro’s technical advisor for his role in his new film, “The Comedian,” which features DeNiro as a once-edgy stand-up comic named Jackie Burke who returns to the insult-comedy boards after a successful but safe run on a television sitcom.

Kirson was born and raised in South Orange, and has been featured on television shows including “The Tonight Show with Jay Leno,” “Last call with Carson Daly,” “The View,” Comedy Central's "Premium Blend," "Last Comic Standing" and NBC's "Celebrity Apprentice." She’s also been heard on "The Howard Stern Show,” and has garnered more than 2.5 million views on her YouTube channel.

Kirson told Patch what it was like to meet DeNiro.

“I was very excited to meet him for the first time,” she said. “I didn't know what to expect but from the minute I met him it felt very comfortable and natural. He's actually very down to earth. He has a great sense of humor and we got along great. He is incredibly humble and works harder than anyone I've ever met. He's a great guy.”

When asked how growing up in South Orange has influenced her as a comic, Kirson praised her hometown’s diversity.

“I was very involved in sports and other activities and met so many great people,” she said. “I had all different kinds of friends and I never felt sheltered. I feel like it's help me on stage because I understand so many different ethnic cities and cultures.”

And what was the funniest thing that Kirson has ever seen in South Orange?

“It was probably when my mother was driving carpool in the morning and she was running late,” the comedian recalled. “There were four of us in the car and she was blasting the song “Beat It” by Michael Jackson. It wasn't great weather and we ended up going up on someone's lawn and she stopped short… And the song was still blasting.”

On Thursday, March 9, Kirson will return home for one night to perform her comedy show at The Wilshire Grand Hotel in West Orange, where she will be joined on stage by New Jersey-based comedians Rich McDonald and Ritu Chandra. Tickets can be purchased here.

Photo: Jessica Kirson

Send local news tips, photos and press releases to eric.kiefer@patch.com