Eric Andre, the outrageous comedian and host of The Eric Andre Show, took an unconventional path to comedy stardom that was paved at two top universities. Though he is now known for his absurd humor and love of chaos, Andre’s college years reveal his early passion for the arts and comedy.
Andre attended Berklee College of Music, initially aiming to become a jazz musician. Though he showed promise as a stand-up bassist, Andre ultimately decided music wasn’t his calling. After two years at Berklee, he transferred to the Experimental Theater Wing at New York University’s Tisch School of the Arts. There, Andre focused on sketch comedy and improv, taking classes with future comedy stars like Hannibal Buress.
NYU is where Andre indeed found his comedic voice and flair for disruption. He often pulled pranks around campus and in dorm common areas, foreshadowing his later antics on The Eric Andre Show. Andre also studied abroad in Amsterdam for a semester, gaining inspiration from Europe’s avant-garde performance art scene.
After graduating from NYU in 2004, Andre hit the ground running. He immediately started performing stand-up around New York City, where he developed the provocative, unconventional style his fans love today. Andre credits both Berklee and NYU with shaping his artistic foundation in music and experimental theater that infuse his comedy.
For aspiring comedians, Eric Andre’s journey proves the value of following your creative passions. Though he shifted directions, the skills Andre gained studying music and experimental theater were indispensable. He encourages artists to take risks, break boundaries, and not be confined by traditional rules. Andre’s college years gave him the freedom to develop his raw, anarchic comedic genius that has made him a star.