By PAM SCHIFF

Life has a way of going full circle. And, for comedian Al Ducharme, it has done just that.

“It is apropos that I’m heading to my hometown of Cranston to be inducted into the Rhode Island Comedy Hall of Fame. I’ll be headlining the newest comedy venue: The Comedy Park on Park Avenue. This is a place I used to see movies as a teen,” said Ducharme.

Born and raised in the City of Cranston, Ducharme attended Meshanticut Park Elementary school, Western Hills Junior High and then onto Cranston West High school, graduating as a member the Class of 1981.

“Other than church basketball, I did not play for any organized sports team. I did, however, play many neighbor pickup games – including street hockey, football, baseball and even golf. I lived just a few blocks away from Sherman Field Little League baseball field now known today as William Flanders Park,” he said.

Ducharme fondly recalled a teacher who recognized his talent early on.

“My favorite teacher was Mr. Rozen. He was my sixth grade teacher who had a great sense of humor and knew I was a class clown. He taught me at an early age not to try to be funny all the time but he was also encouraging. Only try to be funny when it is appropriate. At age 12 and 13, that was most of the time,” Ducharme said.

Ducharme dabbled in theater at West and then majored in theater at CCRI and RIC.

While at RIC, he started going to open mic nights at Periwinkles Comedy Club in the Arcade in Downtown Providence. Shortly after, he began to break into the Boston comedy club scene which led to multiple college tours, coast to coast comedy clubs, corporate shows and cruise ships.

“A few years later I took the plunge and moved to the Big Apple, New York City, to pursue an acting and stand-up comedy career. I’ve appeared on several cable television comedy showcase shows and most recently was a contestant on America’s Got Talent,” Ducharme said.

As someone who is now a comedian with his own fanbase, he acknowledges those from the early days starting out.

“I have many comedy heroes. From Jerry Seinfeld to Boston’s favorites Don Gavin and Lenny Clarke to our local hero Tom Cotter, my mentor Charlie Hall, my boss Bill Burr and of course my lovely comedian wife, Bernadette Pauley. Good save on the last one,” Ducharme joked.

Ducharme recalled one of his most memorable appearances on stage.

“One of my favorite stand-up moments was when I was performing on my birthday and received a standing ovation. The host came back out on the stage and told the 800 audience members that it was my birthday to boot. The curtain went up and the stage manager and a stagehand had a sheet-cake with candles at the ready. Eight hundred plus people sang “Happy Birthday” to me. It was unexpected and truly moving,” Ducharme said.

These days, after living in Cranston, Boston and New York City, Ducharme now resides in Los Angeles, working several jobs, besides stand up.

He’s the voice of Anthony Bonfiglio on Bill Burr’s animated hit show “F is For Family” on Netflix, and partners with Al Romas on “The Talking Dicks” comedy podcast.

Longtime friend, and founder of the RI Comedy Hall of Fame, Joe Hebert explains his choice of Ducharme for induction.

“Al’s time has come. He has an impressive comedy resume and he’s a lifer. He even married a comedian. What a way to commit! Our relationship has been through social media since Facebook came along. We’re on two different coasts and both involved in the same business. I haven’t seen him in forever and I’m looking forward to this induction. Appearing with Al will be his wife, Bernadette Pauley, and RI’s own jester, Charlie Hall,” Hebert said.

Ducharme joins the ranks of other comedians including Charlie Hall, John Perrotta, Tom Cotter, Frank O’Donnell, Doreen Collins, Ace Aceto, Funny4Funds (Mike Murray and Bill Simas), Bobby Braciola and Ruth Buzzi.

“What a wonderful honor. I am beyond humbled. Hashtag full circle,” Ducharme said.

Al’s induction is Saturday, July 23 at 7 p.m., at the Comedy Park. Tickets cost between $20 and $30. To purchase tickets, visit

https://www.thecomedypark.com/events/al-ducharme-rhode-island-comedy-hall-of-fame-induction.