Q

How Laurie Kilmartin found laughter in the face of sorrow

Laurie Kilmartin talks about how comedy as catharsis helped her through the process of her father's death.
Laurie Kilmartin is a stand-up comic and staff writer for Conan O'Brien's late night talk show. (kilmartin.com )

Laurie Kilmartin is a standup comic and staff writer for Conan O'Brien — but her latest work delves into unexpected territory: her father's death after a struggle with cancer.

During the last few days of her father's life, Kilmartin live-tweeted from the hospital and thousands of people, including her comedian friends Conan O'Brien, Patton Oswalt and Andy Kindler, connected with Kilmartin's dark humour.

Kilmartin talks to q host Tom Power about comedy as catharsis and how it influenced her comedy special, 45 Jokes About My Dead Dad.


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