He has been compared to Lord Buckley, Lenny Bruce, Robin Williams and Andy Kaufman. L.A. Times critic Dan Sullivan wrote, “He reminds me of all three Marx Brothers rolled into one.” But Darryl Henriques is simply himself, a unique satirist of intensive talent.

He began his professional career with the San Francisco Mime Troupe in 1967, then founded the East Bay Sharks, a musical street theater dealing with social-political issues. He is known as the voice of the Swami from Miami (first patriarch of the Buish faith, combining the serenity of Buddhism with Jewish chutzpah); Joe Carcinogenni (consumer advocate for a vast array of toxic chemicals); Rattus Rat (survivor of the first H-bomb explosion, with his paw firmly on the subject of interspecies relations); the Rev. Clyde Fingerdip (Minister of Home Repairs, who heals broken appliances over the radio); and the aforementioned Jacques Kissmatoe.

After appearing as a finalist in the San Francisco standup competition, he performed at clubs across the country, including the Improv and the Comedy Store, moving to Los Angeles in 1984. When he went on KPFK impersonating the deceased President Nixon, listeners called in and spoke to “Nixon” as if he were still alive. Darryl now runs the Leaning Pizza Catering Company. He goes to his clients’ homes, cooks pizza and performs comedy. And he’s written a book, 50 Simple Things You Can Do to Pave the Earth.

“We’re doomed,” he says. “Pass the champagne!”