NBCUniversal Talent Infusion Programs Selects Winner of the 13th Annual StandUp NBC

NBCUniversal Talent Infusion Programs (NBCUNI TIPS) has named comedian and musician JR De Guzman as the winner of its 13th Annual StandUp NBC nationwide search for comedians of diverse backgrounds. De Guzman has been awarded a one-year talent holding deal with NBCUniversal and a headlining spot later this month at the National Association for Campus Activities (NACA) annual convention where he will perform before talent bookers from across the country. He will also headline the regional semi-finalist showcases for this year's StandUp NBC.

De Guzman was chosen from among eight other finalists including Raanan Hershberg, Jessica Keenan, Ismael Loutfi, Keith McGill, Rojo Perez, Gibran Saleem, Candice Thompson and Daniel Webb. Previous StandUp NBC winners and alumni include Deon Cole (Black-ish, Angie Tribeca), Ron Funches (Powerless), Tone Bell (Netflix's upcoming comedy Disjointed, Truth Be Told), W. Kamau Bell (CNN's United Shades of America), Lil Rel Howery (The Carmichael Show) and Brandon T. Jackson (Deadbeat, Tropic Thunder).

"Over the past 13 years, StandUp NBC has been a launching pad for some of our industry's most successful comic talents," said Karen Horne, SVP, Programming Talent Development & Inclusion, NBC Entertainment and Universal Television Studios. "As with our other pipeline programs, it aims to increase representation of diverse talent in front of and behind the camera. I'm proud that our efforts continue to bring new voices to key industry decisions makers."

De Guzman was chosen from more than 600 stand-up comedians who auditioned at open calls last year in New York City, San Diego, Nashville and Austin. He along with the eight other finalists were later featured in a finale showcase hosted by comedian and StandUp NBC alumnus Orlando Leyba at The Improv in Hollywood. They performed their sets in front of an audience of television executives, casting directors, agents, managers and industry tastemakers.

"JR is a unique comic talent who impressed us with his presence and genuine optimism," said Grace Wu, Executive Vice President of Casting, NBC Entertainment. "I am grateful that our pipeline programs like StandUp NBC continue to introduce us to fresh new voices who will widen the breadth of talent for our shows."

Born in the Philippines and raised in California, De Guzman began performing stand-up comedy while working as a music teacher. He has entertained all over the world, having performed for Stand-Up Tokyo and ROR Comedy in Japan, the Jokers Ball in Indonesia, the Badaboom Comedy Series in Amsterdam and the Edmonton Comedy Festival. Combining music and comedy, De Guzman serenades the audience into laughter with songs, jokes, and stories of traveling the world, life after college and family. He has shared the stage with Tim Allen, Margaret Cho, Daniel Tosh, Jerrod Carmichael and Iliza Shlesinger. He recently appeared on Hulu's Coming to the Stage, Comedy Central's Kevin Hart Presents: Hart of the City and MTV's Acting Out as well as released his debut comedy album Dual Citizen on SiriusXM's Laugh USA which will be available on February 24, 2017 on iTunes and Google Play. De Guzman is represented by the Gersh Agency.

About StandUp NBC (NBCUniversal Talent Infusion Programs)

Now in its 13thyear, StandUp NBC is the annual nationwide search for stand-up comedians of diverse backgrounds. Every year, StandUp NBC holds open casting calls in four cities across the country. Finalists are chosen from the casting calls to perform at the finale showcase in front of an audience of television executives, casting directors, agents, managers and industry tastemakers at a Los Angeles comedy club. The winner is given a one-year holding deal with NBCUniversal and offered a spot on the nationwide tour with the National Association for Campus Activities (NACA). Previous StandUp winners and alumni include Deon Cole (Black-ish, Angie Tribeca), Ron Funches (Powerless), Tone Bell (Netflix's upcoming comedy Disjointed, Truth Be Told), W. Kamau Bell (CNN's United Shades of America), Lil Rel Howery (The Carmichael Show), Brandon T. Jackson (Deadbeat, Tropic Thunder) as well as Gina Brillon and Vladimir Camaño who are developing projects at CBS and NBC respectively. StandUp NBC is part of the NBCUniversal Talent Infusion Programs (NBCUNI TIPS) that promote and encourage people of diverse backgrounds to become the next generation of storytellers. For more information, visit NBCUNITIPS.com.

About the NBCUniversal Talent Infusion Programs (NBCUNI TIPS)

Since 2000, NBCUniversal has been dedicated to discovering and nurturing on screen and behind-the-camera talent of diverse and inclusive backgrounds through the NBCUniversal Talent Infusion Programs (NBCUNI TIPS). NBCUNI TIPS are amongst the most extensive and robust diversity and inclusion programs in the television industry. They feature 21 programs including the Writers on the Verge Program, Diverse Staff Writer Initiative, Emerging Director Program, StandUp NBC nationwide search for stand-up comedians and the NBCUniversal SHORT FILM FESTIVAL that celebrates diverse stories. Program alumni are celebrated producers, writers, directors and actors in the entertainment industry who have gone on to win Academy Awards®, Emmys, Golden Globes and SAG Awards. For more information, visit NBCUNITIPS.com.