Robby Hoffman of 'Hacks' on Discovering Stand-Up Comedy at Age 14

The writer and comedian shares how she found her comedic voice at a young age.

Apr. 8, 2026 at 7:59pm

Got story updates? Submit your updates here. ›

An abstract close-up photograph of shattered glass fragments reflecting dramatic studio lighting, capturing the glamour and energy of the comedy industry.The glittering, high-energy world of stand-up comedy provides a creative outlet for comedians like Robby Hoffman to share their singular voices.Brooklyn Today

Robby Hoffman, a writer and comedian known for her work on shows like 'Hacks', discusses how she discovered stand-up comedy at the age of 14 after growing up in a conservative Hasidic community in Brooklyn. Hoffman talks about her unencumbered approach to comedy and how she never formally learned stand-up, but rather just jumped into it, believing she could do it. She shares her perspective on doing comedy in challenging times, noting that there is no 'good time' for comedy, as the world is always facing some kind of crisis.

Why it matters

Robby Hoffman's story provides an inspiring example of someone finding their creative passion and comedic voice at a young age, despite coming from a restrictive upbringing. Her unconventional path to stand-up success highlights how determination, gumption, and a unique perspective can lead to breaking into the entertainment industry.

The details

Hoffman was born in a conservative Hasidic community in Brooklyn and later moved to Montreal, Canada with her family. After a brief stint as an accountant, she decided to try stand-up comedy on a whim, walking into a comedy club and asking 'Where's the best place to bomb?' Despite having no formal training, Hoffman felt a natural inclination towards comedy, believing she could do it. She credits her uninformed and uninfluenced approach as key to developing her singular comedic voice. Hoffman has since become a successful writer, comedian, and actor, appearing in shows like 'Hacks' and releasing a Netflix comedy special.

  • At age 14, Hoffman first saw a joke on The Tonight Show with Jay Leno that she 'got'.
  • After moving to Montreal, Hoffman attended the Just for Laughs comedy festival and decided to try stand-up.
  • Hoffman made her stand-up debut at a loft party in Montreal, with no prior experience.

The players

Robby Hoffman

A writer and comedian known for her work on shows like 'Hacks' and her Netflix comedy special 'Robby Hoffman: Wake Up'. She discovered stand-up comedy at the age of 14 after growing up in a conservative Hasidic community in Brooklyn.

Got photos? Submit your photos here. ›

What they’re saying

“I don't remember learning about stand-up formally. I do remember being 14 and catching Jay Leno, and I 'got' a joke. It was like I had entered a new portal of understanding.”

— Robby Hoffman, Comedian

“I was like, 'Well, what are they even doing? I could do that'—and 99.9 percent of people who think that cannot actually do it, so do not take this as inspiration.”

— Robby Hoffman, Comedian

“People ask all the time what's it like doing comedy in these times, but when I was a kid, 9/11 happened. I graduated, and the financial crisis happened. Trump happened. A million things. I don't know of a good time. It would feel weird to me to do comedy in a good time.”

— Robby Hoffman, Comedian

The takeaway

Robby Hoffman's story demonstrates how passion, determination, and a unique perspective can lead to breaking into the entertainment industry, even for those who don't follow a traditional path. Her unconventional journey to stand-up success highlights the power of pursuing one's creative calling, regardless of background or formal training.