from actuary to up-and-coming comedian

Although he has always had an interest in humor, Pierre-Luc Racine made a career in actuarial science before embarking on what he really wanted: to make people laugh. Today proud of his career, the comedian of Colombian origin is “very happy to be here”. This is also the name of his first solo show, which will be presented in Montreal on December 1st.

Adopted before the age of one year by a mother from Beauce and a father from Rimouski, Pierre-Luc Racine remembers, as a child, having watched galas Just for laughs, seen sketches by Bruno Blanchet and read books by Pierre Légaré.

Over the years, humor has continued to occupy an important part of his life. “On some chat sites, I put jokes. I was writing sketches with friends on forums at the time. My MSN username was a joke too. I’ve been writing all the time jokes“, he recalls.

The math bump

However, his natural talent for mathematics led him to pursue this branch and enroll in actuarial science at university.

« My parents always told me I was going to college, so I never considered [une carrière en humour]“, he admits before adding that the lack of cultural diversity in the environment possibly also contributed to his choice, as he “did not see himself anywhere”.

If he liked to do math, Pierre-Luc Racine – who has co-hosted his podcast since 2011 3 Beers – hated his job as an actuary, even though it took him 10 years to quit.

“Currently, in society, it is completely normal to hate one’s job“, he argues when asked why it took him so long before reorienting himself.

However, driven by the desire to live his “dream”, nothing less, he finally decided, in 2016, to resign to enroll in the National School of Humor.

Challenges to overcome

Although he was happy to finally pursue his passion, Pierre-Luc Racine’s journey was not easy, and not only because he was 10 years older than the rest of the group.

Being a scientist in a science college going to an art school is really different. In science, there is a correct answer; in art, it depends on your teacher.

Pierre-Luc Racine

Another difficulty that Pierre-Luc Racine had to overcome was his speech impediment, diagnosed only in 2020. “I had no idea before. All I knew was that I was someone who spoke badly and quickly, ”continues the one who now exercises every day.

The up-and-coming comedian has overcome the pitfalls and, last year, he even published a book on his journey, How to let go of your mud job and (try to) live from your dreams.

Without putting himself in the position of guru or life coach, the comedian transmits his message there: that of the importance of trying your luck to follow your dreams, despite the pitfalls.

« It may suck, it may take a long time, it may not even happen, but you can still try and that’s what’s important, » he says.

Very happy to be here

Today, Pierre-Luc Racine’s daily life is far from being the same as 10 years ago. He leads a busy life hosting various comedy nights, writing for the media and performing on stage with his first show entitled Very happy to be here.

With his humour, which he describes as sympathetic and cerebral, Pierre-Luc Racine looks back on his journey, emphasizing how happy he is to be where he is, that is to say on stage, in Quebec.

“I was born on another continent and ended up here. I’m lucky. […] There is a parallel universe where I am in Colombia with a gun in my hands”, explains the one who earned a nomination at the last Gala les Oliviers for his podcast.

At the same time, Pierre-Luc Racine would like to hold conferences in secondary schools to talk to students. « I want to tell them that if they’re wrong for a bit, it’s okay. It’s okay to go wrong. You learn. There are things that serve me as a comedian when I was an actuary, including discipline,” he says.

Pierre-Luc Racine will present his solo show Very happy to be here December 1st at Café Hookah Lounge, located on Saint-Denis Street.

The good adress
Pierre-Luc Racine lives in Le Plateau and is particularly fond of the Aux Verres Stérilisés bar, located on Rachel Street. « It’s a tavern that has all the stereotypes of a tavern, » he says. Since I’ve been going there for 20 years, it’s one of the most stable relationships of my life! » The comedian will often write alone in this bar which he considers his second home.