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John Novosad was born and raised right here in Boulder, and he has been performing stand-up comedy on the Front Range for almost 30 years under the stage name of Hippieman. In 2006, he finally broke onto the national scene as a guest on "The Late Late Show with Craig Ferguson."
It's no small accomplishment. Some comedians work the road their whole lives without getting a shot at a television appearance. Others move to Hollywood and try to make it in the movie business. But John has never left the People's Republic.
As an entertainer, you need something that sets you apart from the crowd, something that makes you unique. There's an old saying in comedy: You've gotta have a look and a hook. For John "Hippieman" Novosad, the look and the hook were inspired by his life in Boulder.
Long before John appeared on national TV, he performed for a very different type of audience here in town.
"When we were kids, John used to put on a show for the family every night at the dinner table," said John's brother, Joe Jr. "He told jokes and stories to make us laugh. He was always entertaining people, even when he was little. I think he wanted to make sure everyone was happy. Especially Mom. It was hard for her after Dad died."
In the 1950s, John's parents, Joe Sr. and Lucille, owned a grocery store in Boulder called The Prep Basket at 17th and Pearl. Joe Sr. was the butcher, and Lucille was in charge of pretty much everything else. It was literally a mom-and-pop establishment. The kids would usually stop by after school to man the cash register or stock shelves.
"I was very young," John said. "But I remember everyone working in the store. It was a family business. We all pitched in."
In 1961, Joe Sr. passed away from complications related to emphysema and lung cancer. His death came as a shock, and the Novosads were devastated by the loss.
John is the youngest member of the family. He was just 6 years old when his father died.
With three kids to raise on her own, Lucille hired another butcher and attempted to keep the store open. But it was too much. After a few years, she was forced to sell it and begin a new career as a bookkeeper for various local businesses.
The Boulder community rallied around the Novosads during this time. Friends, neighbors and family members all chipped in and lent a hand.
"We never felt neglected," said John's sister, Jennie Anderson. "There were always aunts and uncles and neighbors at the dinner table. We always had a full house."
"That's where I first learned to make people laugh," said John. "My first audience was in our dining room. Of course, as the little brother, my main goal was to make milk shoot
"I don't know if milk ever shot out of my nose," said Jennie, laughing. "But I did think my little brother was very funny. Of course, I might be biased."
John eventually turned his dinner-table patter into a professional routine. After graduating from Boulder High School, he took a stand-up comedy class and began frequenting the open mic nights at a club on Pearl Street called the Blue Note.
From there, he moved on to larger venues in Denver and eventually began appearing at Comedy Works, which is one of the most popular comedy clubs in the United States.
"I've known John for as long as I think I've been in the business," said Comedy Works Owner Wende Curtis. "I think it's John's genuine love for the art form that keeps him working at it. I mean this is a smart guy with a real job and security, and he left it so many years ago to pursue [comedy] full time... He is such a pro."
With his wild hair and offbeat appearance, John created an aesthetic that mirrored his unique personality, and audiences responded. Always interested in current events and politics, he incorporated cultural criticism into his comedy, tackling topics like legalized marijuana, government corruption and American corporatization with his quick, twisted delivery. Eventually, he created "Hippieman's Plan for America," which became a constantly evolving monologue on how to improve America. It included sage advice, such as eliminating the national debt by having a giant bake sale. (Hippieman has a recipe for "special" brownies that he's willing to contribute.)
After honing his craft on stage for several decades, John finally got his big break. Scottish-American comedian and actor Craig Ferguson came to Denver, and John opened for him at Comedy Works. John made a good impression. Ferguson's people invited him to Los Angeles for his first television appearance. He was ecstatic.
However, right before he was scheduled to leave, Lucille received some bad news from her doctor. She had been diagnosed with lung cancer.
Afraid John would cancel his trip to stay with her, she swore Jennie and Joe Jr. to secrecy.
John flew to L.A. and had a wonderful show. The television audience was receptive, and everyone congratulated him on a job well done.
When John returned, his mom told him the horrible news. "She was always looking out for me," John said. "Even in the end. She knew this was a big opportunity, and she didn't want me to miss it."
John had planned on watching the telecast of his performance with friends, but he decided to stay at home with his mom instead. He brought a six-pack of beer to her house and they watched the performance together.
"It was one of the best moments of my life," said John. "It was the peak of my career, and it was one of the most intimate moments I've had with my mom. It was perfect."
Lucille passed away seven months later.
