Comedian Jim Lauletta Thrilled To Be Back For First Night

BOSTON (CBS) - Comedian Jim Lauletta has been making Bostonians laugh since 1988.

He's a huge Star Wars fan.

In his kitchen, he has Star Wars gear all over his "Darth Refridgevator."

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His inspiration is legendary comic Jerry Lewis -- and he has an autographed memior to prove it.

WBZ-TV's David Wade reports

His cat Duke, he claims, does yoga.

"He's very cool, very chill," Lauletta said.

Lauletta will take the stage at the Huntington Theater on First Night to usher in the new year, just like he did last year.

"I don't want to brag, I got a standing ovation," he says.

"But no, actually the show was over and everybody got up to leave."

He started his career in Boston, spent years doing stand-up in Los Angeles, and now he's back, living in the house in Roslindale where he grew up.

"Yeah, it's great," he says.

"I'm here taking care of my mom. My dad passed away last year. My mom's 82, but she's very independent. I love being here for her."

Lauletta was an aspiring comedian even as a young boy, and that's when he had his first encounter with WBZ-TV.

"I had a ventrilloquist act with a dummy and I auditioned for Community Auditions at WBZ three times and I was rejected all three times. But I'm not bitter."

Now he's a regular on Carnival Cruise Ships and at Dick Doherty's Comedy Vault every other Tuesday night.

And he's thrilled to be going back to First Night.

"Making people laugh and feel good and forget about the crappy day they may have had, that's very, very gratifying," says Lauletta.