Kyle Cease destined for comedy - since second grade

By the time Bothell native Kyle Cease was in the second grade, it was evident he would become a comic. At least to his teacher, who tried mightily to keep him in check.

Cease, 30, who lives in Los Angeles, returns for gigs Friday through Sunday at his home club, The Comedy Underground.

The stand-up/actor, who has appeared in such films as "10 Things I Hate About You" and "Not Another Teen Movie," stopped to talk about his new raw-food diet and who asks for comp tickets when he returns home to perform.

Q: When did you discover you were destined for stand-up?

A: When I was 8 and attending [Shoreline's Echo Lake] elementary school. ... My second-grade teacher told me that if I could be quiet that I could have five minutes at the end of class, and I used it [for stand-up]. I was just destined for comedy. My favorite show as a kid was "Evening at the Improv." My uncle did props for Gallagher.

Q: When was the first time you walked into a comedy club?

A: I was 12 when I first walked into Giggles. At that point I just knew that this [comedy] was going to be my life. But the Comedy Underground is where I'm most comfortable. When I go back there it's like a high-school reunion.

Q: Last year you shot your Comedy Central special at the Moore Theatre. How bad did you get hit up for tickets and who hit you up?

A: I always get hit up by bullies, who say, "I always knew that you would make it." I always ask, "When did you realize that I would make it? Did you realize it when you were pantsing me or when you were egging my house? I think you can pay full price for your ticket." There really were so many people from my high school [Bothell High School] at the Moore Theatre when I shot my special there for Comedy Central. It was amazing since I remember seeing Ellen DeGeneres and Bill Cosby there. It was crazy to walk on to that stage for two sold-out shows. It's one of the highlights of my career.

Q: Most comics eat like frat boys, and you live on raw food?

A: I've never felt better than when I eat raw food. Why not eat it since it boosts your confidence and looks? I lost 50 pounds since eating raw food, and I have so much more energy.

Q: Most comics seem to be tempted by something since there are so many hours in a day. What's your temptation?

A: I think I have pretty good self-control. But it's true about comics having many hours in a day. After we write a solid hour of material, we perform that hour each night. There are many hours left in the day, so comics tend to get comfortable. They start drinking, and it goes from there. You can see how comics lose control of their lives.

Q: How do you eat right when you're in a state like Kansas?

A: I just did shows in Kansas. I eat at Applebee's and order the spinach salad with vinaigrette.

Q: What's next for you?

A: I'll be shooting a pilot, which is a sketch show and a show within a show. You'll have to see it.