'Baby Driver' Star, Stand-Up Coming To Cleveland Heights

CLEVELAND HEIGHTS, OH — CJ Jones, a movie star and stand-up comedian, will be bringing his unique comedic sensibilities to the Cleveland Heights Conference Center Oct. 30, thanks to the Heights Libraries. His program promises to be a totally different kind of comedy experience. Why? Jones is deaf.

Jones has been a public figure for the deaf community for more than 35 years. Most recently, he took on the role of Joseph in this year's hit film "Baby Driver."

Going to Jones' performance won't cost you anything. The event is free, but registration is required. You can register at heightslibrary.org or 216-932-3600. The program starts at 7 p.m. (To stay up to date on these stories, subscribe to the Patch Cleveland Heights newsletter. As news breaks and the story develops, you will be the first to receive updates from Patch.)

“It’s an incredible opportunity for both the Deaf and hearing communities to see a well-known and very funny performer, and it offers the hearing community a great way to learn about the Deaf experience,” said Librarian Ben Gulyas, who is in charge of services and programming for the local Deaf and hard-of-hearing community at Heights Libraries’ Coventry branch.

Jones was born in St. Louis, Missouri. He was one of seven children born to deaf parents. Jones and all of his siblings were born hearing.

At age seven, spinal meningitis attacked Jones and he lost his hearing. After becoming deaf, he attended the Missouri School for the Deaf, which teaches American Sign Language. He flourished in his new environment becoming a leader of the community. He became class president, a cub scout, varsity football quarterback, a state pole vault record holder and valedictorian.

Not interested in resting on his high school laurels, Jones developed three one-man shows and toured the U.S., Japan, Sweden, Australia, Ecuador and Canada. He co-wrote and directed fairytales for the children's TV series "Once Upon a Sign." He also produced the International Sign Language Theater Festival.

“We are thrilled to be able to offer this show free of admission due to the generosity of the estate of Shony Long,” said Gulyas in a statement.

Long was manager of the Coventry Branch from 1985 to 1992 and started the branch's commitment to the local deaf community. That commitment included a week-long Deaf Expo in 1988, which featured actors, performers and educators from around the nation.

Check out one of Jones' performances below.

AP Photo/Brainerd Daily Dispatch, Steve Kohls