Yet ever since his first gig as an extra in Dead Poets Society in 1989, he has remained determined and keeps popping up from time to time in movies and TV. He’s had his share of flops, such as Malibu’s Most Wanted, which prompted Las Vegas Weekly critic Josh Bell to write, “Jamie Kennedy must be stopped.” He’s starred in commercial or critical successes, however—including the Scream franchise and Three Kings—and his TV series The Jamie Kennedy Experiment aired for four seasons on the WB.

His stand-up career has faced similar peaks and valleys. Though he’s talented and funny and has been performing comedy for years, Kennedy still doesn’t fill huge venues. Instead, he travels to comedy clubs and smaller theaters. He knows how to work a crowd, and when he tells a joke that makes everyone in the room burst into laughter and applause, you can’t help but pull for the guy.

Jamie Kennedy @ Wiseguys Comedy Café, 2194 W. 3500 South, West Valley City, 801- 463-2909, Oct. 8-9, 7:30 & 10 p.m., $20. WiseguysComedy.com.