Cory Kahaney is an American stand-up comedienne, actress, writer, and public speaker.
She was a grand finalist on NBC's Last Comic Standing and a semi-finalist on America's Got Talent. Kahaney has performed comedy specials for Comedy Central and HBO.
As a public speaker, Kahaney delivered a TEDx talk titled "The Joke That Saved My Life," which recounts her journey from surviving domestic abuse to building a career in comedy. Her other notable talks include "Don’t Tell Jerry Lewis Women Are Funny," a multimedia presentation featuring rare archival footage that celebrates pioneering women in comedy and their contributions to the standup genre.
In A Shared Universe Podcast, Kahaney shared that the best comedy often originates from tragic experiences. She highlighted how a pivotal moment in her life as a domestic violence survivor revealed her "secret power"—using humor to interrupt dangerous situations and ultimately save herself.[2]
Awards and honors
Kahaney has received several awards, including being named Best Comedian in New York City by Backstage Magazine and Best Female Comedian by the MAC Awards (Manhattan Association Of Cabarets).
