Felipe de Jesus Esparza is a Mexican-born American stand-up comedian and actor. He began performing stand-up in 1994. He won Last Comic Standing in 2010. Felipe is currently on tour for his comedy show, "At My Leisure". In addition, Felipe hosts a weekly popular YouTube podcast named "What's up Fool?"
Early life and education Felipe Esparza was born in Sinaloa, Mexico. He lived with his mother's family in Sinaloa before moving with his family to live with his aunt in Tijuana, where they lived for about two years. His father had left the family to go to the United States alone. Eventually, before President Reagan's amnesty law, Esparza, his two brothers, and his mother illegally immigrated to the United States. Eventually they made their way to the Boyle Heights neighborhood of Los Angeles, where his father was living and they were able to follow the path to citizenship. Esparza was raised in the Aliso Village housing projects of Boyle Heights. He attended Theodore Roosevelt High School.
Career Esparza began performing stand-up in 1994 after a stint in drug rehab. He won Last Comic Standing in 2010. And grew in popularity ever since, fueled by 4 standup specials for HBO and Netflix and multiple sold out tours of comedy clubs and theaters.
Felipe is currently on his "Laughter Will Save Us" tour as of 2026
He also has several popular podcasts, including "What's up fool? Podcast", a laid back "hang" podcast that has showcased multiple comedians, actors, authors, musicians and artists since 2014. He also co-hosts "History for Foos Podcast" with fellow comedian Butch Escobar and "Do you Even Binge? Podcast", a movie/TV binge podcast with his wife, Lesa.
Various TV shows and film appearances, including Superstore (NBC/Hulu), The Eric Andre Show (Adult Swim), You People (Netflix with Jonah Hill and Eddie Murphy), Blue Beetle (Xolo Maridueño, George Lopez), This Fool (Hulu), 7th and Union (with Omar Chapparro), and more.
Personal life Felipe Esparza has been married to Lesa O'Daniel Esparza since 2014. He became vegan in 2011.
He has three children and one step child.
Filmography and discography Stand-up comedy releases +Solo albums and TV specials Title Release date Debut medium They're Not Gonna Laugh at You January 1, 2012 Television (Showtime) Rebound Material December 11, 2013 Audio streaming Translate This September 30, 2017 Television (HBO) Bad Decisions September 1, 2020 Streaming TV (Netflix) Malas Decisiones September 1, 2020 Raging Fool February 11, 2025
Films Year Title Role 2003 El matador Pablo 2009 The Deported Fernando 2010 I'm Not Like That No More Felipe Valenzuela 2015 The Fix Pablo 2016 She's Allergic to Cats Tow Truck Driver 2018 Taco Shop Mugres 2020 The Opening Act Cabbie Steve 2023 Blue Beetle Security Tech #3
Television Year Title Role Notes 2014–2015, 2020–2023 The Eric Andre Show Himself 6 episodes 2015 The Shop Felipe 7 episodes 2016 Campus Law Alan 2 episodes 2016–2018 Superstore Cody 5 episodes 2020 Gentefied Crazy Dave Recurring role 2023 Royal Crackers Mexican Officer (voice) Episode: "Casa de Darby" 2025 Primos Churro (voice) Episode: "Summer of Silencio" 2025 Shifting Gears Bob Episode: "Grief"
References