Ricky Velez: Bio, Comedy Style, and Where to Watch

Who is Ricky Velez?

Ricky Velez grew up in Queens and attended the Frank Sinatra School of the Arts, where he received a Special Recognition award. In 2014, he won the New York’s Funniest Stand-Up competition at the New York Comedy Festival — a result that got him noticed and led directly to his role as a correspondent on Comedy Central’s The Nightly Show with Larry Wilmore. The experience taught him, by his own account, that he did not like making daily television. He went back to stand-up.

His path intersected with Pete Davidson, who is a lifelong friend. Together with Judd Apatow, they co-wrote and produced The King of Staten Island (2020), a semi-autobiographical film about Davidson’s life. Velez co-starred in the film alongside Davidson, Bill Burr, Marisa Tomei, and Steve Buscemi. He also wrote for Apatow’s Netflix film The Bubble. Judd Apatow executive produced Velez’s first stand-up special, Here’s Everything, which premiered on HBO in October 2021, filmed at Brooklyn Steel. The New York Times called it a solid introduction to his spiky, propulsive comedy. The special covers mental health, his family, and the specific texture of Queens. Velez described it as his introduction to the world. He also appeared in Now You See Me: Now You Don’t (2025). Variety named him a Comic to Watch, as did Comedy Central and the New York Comedy Festival.

Ricky Velez’s Comedy Style

Velez moves fast and hits hard. His material is rooted in family, mental health, and the particular energy of growing up in Queens — not as local color but as the actual substance of what he has to say. There is nothing decorative about his stand-up. He spent the pandemic touring for five months to work out the material for his HBO special, which says something about his discipline: he is not a comedian who coasts on charisma.

Where to Find Ricky Velez

The King of Staten Island is streaming on Peacock. Here’s Everything is on HBO Max. Follow Ricky at @rickyvelezofficial on Instagram for show updates.

Ricky Velez has performed at the Comedy Cellar in New York City’s Greenwich Village. Check the current lineup and upcoming shows at comedycellar.com.

Catch Comedy Cellar shows live from New York on Mint Comedy at watch.mintcomedy.com.