Oak Cliff native Ralph Barbosa is having a big year, and he’s just getting started. barbosacomedy.com
Ralph Barbosa, self-proclaimed “shy attention hog,” is a rising young comedian from Oak Cliff who, just last week on Instagram, announced he’ll record his first Netflix stand-up special later this summer. And what makes it extra special is that he’s recording this show at the Kessler Theater on West Davis, which, Barbosa says in the announcement, is right across the street from where he used to work as a barber.
Barbosa sold out the neighborhood theater on Aug. 3 and 4 — when, according to his post, Netflix will be taping — and he has added a third show late on Aug. 2.
The 26-year-old Barbosa has been making a name for himself since at least 2019, when he won Funniest Comic in Texas. His “Don’t Tell Comedy” set has garnered millions of views on YouTube. And he won the Latino Film Festival Latino Stand-Up Comedy Competition.
You can watch him on HBO Max’s special Entre Nos: The Winners 3.
Earlier this year the Dallas native made his late night debut on the Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon, “a dream come true.” Dressed in his Sunday best, he joked of being raised by his Spanish-speaking grandmother. His role as resident translator allowed him to “rule that house!”
He teased about being a young father. “I feel like a new employee training an even newer employee,” he said.
“I just look at my son like, ‘I haven’t been here that long, man. I could show you where we eat. That’s about it … from here on out we learn together.”
Ironically a big boost came last February from a not-nice mention by veteran comedian George Lopez on Lopez’ podcast.
Lopez’ guest Steve Treviño brought up the importance of lifting up new Latinx comics, name checking Barbosa. After Treviño mentioned Barbosa a second time, Lopez interrupted, “Nobody knows who that motherf— is! Why do you keep bringing up his name?”
Barbosa shrugged off the shade, but his fans were incensed. Lopez got a lot of public flack and soon apologized to the young gun for his comments.
“He was very nice and kind to me, personally,” Barbosa told the LA Times. “Like a few days after that happened, he called me and he apologized privately.”
To the paper, Barbosa attributes his growing success in part to Dallas’ comedy scene, which he says offers plenty of opportunity to get on stage, and his hard work on the local circuit and beyond.
“When I started to travel, I always worried that my jokes wouldn’t translate, because I was only performing in Dallas for a long time,” he said. “What I’ve been finding is that no matter where I go, tons of people can relate to my stuff even if they don’t go through what I’m talking about, a lot of people have still felt what I’m feeling.”
Barbosa’s initial two shows at the Kessler Theater sold out quickly after his announcement, but they’ve added another date, at 9 p.m. Wednesday, Aug. 2. Only general admission seats are still available so buy your tickets right here. Quick!
