Since he was about 10 years old, Tom wanted to be a standup comedian. The first standup comedy he ever heard was Bill Cosby's debut album that contained the famous Noah routine. Over the next few years, he also became a fan of David Brenner, Woody Allen and George Carlin. He listened to Carlin's "FM and AM" album over and over again until he had it completely memorized. He used to recite the entire album to whoever would listen.

At 26, he left an insurance job in his hometown of Philadelphia to move to Florida where he got a job at a local golf course. The job lasted only 3 weeks. Ryan says, "Losing that job was the best thing that ever happened to me because it forced me to confront exactly what I wanted to do with my life." He took a job as a doorman at the newly opened Comedy Corner in West Palm Beach. It was the lowest paying but most valuable job he ever had. It provided him with a complete comedy education watching acts such as Jerry Seinfeld, Dennis Miller and Bill Hicks.

Tom's Appearances
It was not long before Tom made his stage debut, within two years he was working full time as a comedian. Since then Tom Ryan has worked steadily at comedy clubs, concert venues, corporate functions and colleges across the U.S. He has also been featured on the following television programs:

• The Late Show with David Letterman
  
• Showtimes Comedy Club Network
• A&E
• Comedy Central
• NBC

• B.B. King
• Natalie Cole
• Jeff Beck
• Earth, Wind and Fire
• Aretha Franklin
• Tim Allen
• Steven Wright
• Jerry Seinfeld
• Dennis Miller

Tom believes that the best comedy comes from the most unlikely sources. Here is an example from his act: "I was driving around the other day and my oil light came on. But that little symbol looks nothing like an oil can. When it first came on I thought well, apparently my car is low on gravy."

Tom's unique ability to customize material has made him a frequent reqeuested act on the Corporate Comedy Circuit.