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Mack Dryden

Mack Dryden

Killer standup comedian and funniest motivational speaker in U.S: inspiring, hilarious survivor of foreign prison, 2 cancers and one near-fatal marriage.

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Price range

  • $5,000 - $9,000
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Expert

  • Adversity
  • Comedian/Comedienne
  • Communication
  • Emcees
  • Entertainment
  • Humor
  • Master of Ceremonies
  • Motivation
  • Resilience
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Experience

  • Communication
  • Entertainment
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Career

  • 44 Years
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  • About

    Whether your objective is to inspire the troops or just make them laugh ’til they hurt, Mack is a guaranteed hit, as hundreds of thrilled clients happily attest.  He’s been delighting audiences for years with his relaxed stage presence, hilarious yet inspiring material, and uniquely engaging delivery.  As a comedian he’s performed on dozens of TV shows, including several appearances on The Tonight Show. As an actor he’s appeared in several movies and on many other TV shows, including JAG and a recurring role as a judge on ABC’s The Guardian.

    Recently he got a standing ovation from 9,000 at the prestigious Million Dollar Round Table international conference for financial pros, which led to another triumphant performance for 2,500 financial experts in Macau, China!

    Creating hilarious custom humor for each client comes naturally to the former staff writer for Politically Incorrect with Bill Maher, and his stories of surviving two battles with cancer, a stay in an African prison, “sharks in showbiz who stab you in the front,” and one “near-fatal marriage” are as inspiring as they are laugh-out-loud funny.

    Several years ago, after hearing of Mack’s harrowing survival stories, a friend asked him to speak to a group of graduating students. Mack’s presentation was so moving and funny that he was asked to speak to other groups, and since then has shared his inspiring story and unique, clean humor with thousands at corporate and association meetings nationwide. His ability to create custom comedy constantly amazes. As one client put it,

    “You took a dry subject like manufacturing software and made it funny, like you’d been in the industry yourself!”

    From humble beginnings as “the funniest paper mill employee in Mississippi,” Mack earned a black belt in karate even as he was earning his Masters in Creative Writing. He won two Associated Press writing awards as a reporter in his home state, and finally became a professional comedian whose talent and perseverance landed him numerous TV appearances and got him hand-picked by Bill Maher to write on the acclaimed show.  Now he spends his time writing (his humor column has won top prize in its category from Louisville’s Society of Professional Journalists two years in a row) and traveling the country bringing his special brand of Motivation, Inspiration and Jubilation to thousands each year. It hasn’t been an easy road; but, as he says, “Falling on your face is still moving forward!”

  • Video Clips
  • Topics

    Keynote OR Breakout | Entertainment | Humorous | Motivational

    Mack’s most popular presentation will give the attendees the confidence, practical tools, and motivation they need to attack their work-related and personal goals with renewed vigor and enthusiasm. They’ll listen, they’ll laugh, and they’ll learn that nothing can prevent them from making themselves and their organizations the very best that they can be. All while being thoroughly entertained (see video)  In his speech, Mack will outline the Goal Achieving formula and offer practical tools for how to:

    • Control Your Fears and Stresses
    • Maintain a Positive Mental Attitude
    • Identify a Specific Target
    • Write a Plan for how to get to your goal
    • Take Decisive Action
    • Study the Reaction you get, the Response
    • Learn from the Response, and Adjust your approach until you find what works.

    Keynote | Entertainment | Humorous | Motivational

    With more than two decades experience as a pro comedian, Mack is a seasoned veteran at getting rib-busting laughter while never stepping over the good-taste line. He’s performed on dozens of TV shows, hundreds of radio shows, and thousands of live stages, delighting hundreds of thousands with his uniquely warm, hilarious, fall-down funny standup comedy. 

    Keynote OR Breakout | Audience Participation | Entertainment | Humorous

    Proven, practical, and of course HILARIOUS, 

    Mack’s presentation arms leaders with simple but powerful tools to lower absenteeism and turnover by creating a more fun work environment.

    “Our members found Mack very engaging and funny, and have already started using humor in their daily work lives!”  

                Cara Groff, CMP, Event Coordinator, Empire State Association of Assisted Living

     

    Comments from audience evaluations: 

                “A great message about how and why to bring humor into the workplace! Mack was wonderful!”

                “Excellent presenter! Would definitely want him back again. He gave me some great ideas to take back and put into practice.” 

     

    Keynote | Entertainment | Humorous | Motivational

    Whether your event is a general session, an award show, or anything in between, your Emcee can be the difference between a couple of hours of drudgery and a rollicking good time.  Mack is The Perfect Host, a world-class Emcee who turns awards shows and general sessions into uproarious, fun-filled, memorable events, while giving the award-winners or other principle players their deserved moments in the limelight.

  • Testimonials
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    “Mack is a true professional, did a super job, and our rural audience responded with much laughter, applause and many compliments afterwards.  This was in the cold of January, but he warmed them up well.  Mack was great to work with (and was hands-on with) staging, lighting, props and final details. Nothing was left to chance, which I really appreciated. He gets the most out of his appearance and makes a meeting planner look good.”

    North Dakota Grain Dealers Assn Steve S
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    “I can’t thank you enough for recommending Mack Dryden to speak to our clients, 300 farmers who endured a disastrous year due to flooding and other setbacks. I wanted someone to entertain them, take their minds off their troubles, and inspire them to keep fighting, and Mack delivered all that and more beyond my wildest expectations. He asked us for some local information so he could create custom humor, and our rural audience really appreciated him taking the time to create hilarious, squeaky clean jokes just for them. Some of those folks who don’t laugh very much were falling out of their chairs. I’d be glad to recommend Mack to any group at all if you ever need it, because I’ve frankly never seen anyone better.”

    B & S Insurance Frank B
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    “Mack was fantastic! His leadership talk was well attended and the feedback I got from attendees was that it was one of the best sessions we had. His comedic act at our banquet was also fantastic! He is really good!”

    Pick Tennessee Conference Amy
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    “I want to take this opportunity to thank you for your excellent presentation at the recent Convention. When planning an event such as this, it was important to include humor after a difficult period we’ve all experienced. Your presentation provided an atmosphere for our attendees to relax and realize, through laughter they can still achieve their goals.”

    BSA (Bearing Specialists Assoc.) Sarah T
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    “Mack did a great job and had the people laughing but also had a great message. Thanks a bunch for your help, everyone, and thank you Mack.”

    AgCountry Farm Credit Services Joe B
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    “Mack was an exceptional speaker, and I've received more raves about his uplifting and humorous presentation than ever before. We had more people than ever attend our event this year, and they left the conference smiling. He was enthusiastic, motivational, funny and real! Five stars! Superb! A true professional!”

    California Poultry Federation Bill M.
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    “Thank you so much for recommending Mack for our Conference! He was a hit and did a really great job. He was super great to work with and everyone enjoyed his entertaining presentation!”

    Kentucky Department of Agriculture Jessica R.
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    “When we (selected you, we hoped you’d) be entertaining, make our members laugh out loud, keep the subject matter appropriate and funny but not go “blue,” and leave a message that resonates with our members. Your terrific presentation delivered on all of the above! What more can I say other than to highly recommend you?”

    Northwest Public Power Association Will L
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    “Mack put on a performance that I can only describe as being one of the most professional, funny, sincere and down-to-earth presentations that I’ve ever booked for a client association. Needless to say, our members loved him. I strongly encourage you to recommend Mack to your clients who want to laugh and feel good about their lives.”

    American Coke and Coal Chemicals Institute David S
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    “Our members are very sophisticated media professionals, and we were all caught up in your unique brand of insightful humor. We were thrilled with your thoughtful presentation, which was as funny as it was inspiring. Thank you for making me a hero.”

    RADIO BROADCASTERS MARKETING ASSOCIATION Tony Q.
Mack did a great job and had the people laughing but also had a great message. Thanks a bunch for your help, everyone, and thank you Mack.
AgCountry Farm Credit Services Joe B