Comedian Dane Cook will bring his stand-up act to Fresno on Oct. 23 as part of his year-long "ISolated INcident (sic) -- Global Thermo Comedy Tour."

The Fresno appearance is one of about 100 planned performances that will see the comedian travel within the United States, Africa, Brazil, Australia, United Kingdom and Germany.

"Taking this new tour around the world is a desire I've wanted to fulfill for some time now, based on the tremendous response I received during the select few dates I have done internationally," Cook said.

Audiences in the U.S. have been equally responsive. Cook has performed for crowds of 38,000 at Boston Garden, 39,000 at Madison Square Garden and 50,000 at the University of Florida's Gator Growl.

Cook hails from the Boston suburb of Arlington, MA. He began doing stand-up comedy at age 18.

Like most comedians, he honed his craft performing at colleges and comedy clubs.

"Stand-up comedy is my nutrition. I need it to survive," Cook said. "And although I take breaks from it, the stage calls to me. I love the sound of laughter."

In addition to doing stand-up, the versatile performer has also appeared in a variety of movies and television projects. His film credits include "Employee of the Month," "Waiting," "London," "Torque" and "Mystery Men."

Cook also created and starred in a nine-part comedy documentary series, Tourgasm, which was featured on HBO.

Additionally, Cook has released two comedy albums: Harmful If Swallowed, which went platinum, and Retaliation, which debuted No. 4 on the Billboard 2000 and went double platinum.

Cook, who describes himself as "motivated," acknowledges he doesn't leave himself much time to relax.

"I don't really ever have downtime. My work relaxed me." he said. "I do like to play video games, though. Online multiplayer mostly. First-person shooter types where I can snipe people."

Cook's stand-up routines have earned him accolades that include Rolling Stone magazine's "Hot Comic," Stuff magazine's "Coolest Comic of the Year" and inclusion in Time magazine's "100 Most Influential People."

On Oct. 23, Cook will perform locally at the Save Mart Center, 2650 E. Shaw Ave. in Fresno. For tickets, call: 1-800-745-3000.

(Oct. 16, 2009)