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JAMES P. CONNOLLY, MARINE TURNED COMEDIAN, HEADLINES IRVINE IMPROV BENEFIT FOR US MARINES.

‘Operation Semper Funny’ raises money for Camp Pendleton 5^th Marines support group.

IRVINE, Calif. — Comedian and former U.S. Marine James P. Connolly will headline the upcoming “Operation Semper Funny” benefit show at the Irvine Improv Comedy Club July 29. The show’s proceeds will go toward the Dana Point 5^th Marine Regiment Support Group and include dinner, door prizes and a silent auction. A 5^th Marine Desert Storm veteran himself, Connolly is thrilled to support the cause and headline the show.

“I got my start in comedy as a U.S. Marine during Operation Desert Storm in the early 1990s,” said Connolly. “My Commanding Officer asked me to write him one liners for a dinner roast of all the Officers in the Battalion. Of course, when a Colonel “asks” you to do something, consider it an order! I may be the only person who started a comedy career with a lawful command to do so!”

Prior to Desert Storm, Connolly attended Harvard University on a Marine Corps ROTC scholarship. In addition to appearing in television, commercials and independent films, he is recognized as one of the most-played comedians on SiriusXM’s comedy channels and a regular guest on the nationally syndicated Bob & Tom Radio Show.

James has made multiple trips overseas to entertain the troops, including entertaining his former unit, 3^rd Battalion, 5^th Marines in Iraq following the Battle of Fallujah in 2004.  He also produces an annual Veterans Day Comedy Benefit show in Burbank, raising money for Veterans causes.

The Dana Point 5^th Marine Regiment Support Group formed in 2004 with the goal of reaching out to Marines and sailors and their families. In 2008, it became fully operational and has continued to pursue its mission through care packages, sponsoring events for expectant mothers, gathering food for families and arranging financial resources for troops. Many members of the 5^th Marines have recently returned to the area after nearly a decade of deployments in Iraq and Afghanistan

“People always tell me ‘Don’t take this the wrong way, but you don’t look anything like a Marine.’ said Connolly. “Of course I don’t look like a Marine! Because that’s exactly what the enemy would be expecting me to look like!”

“Operation Semper Funny” begins at 6 p.m. on July 29 at the Irvine Improv. Tickets are $35 each, which includes dinner and door prizes. Other comedians include: Tom Riehl, Ron J. Ruhman, Julie Kidd and Billy Houston. Those who cannot attend but would like to support the cause are encouraged to sponsor a Marine and his or her spouse by making a donation to the secure PayPal account, which can be accessed on the event’s website.

To learn more, visit http://danapoint5thmarines.com/semper-funny. To find out more about James P. Connolly’s upcoming appearance visit www.jamespconnolly.tv

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