Despite being deemed “white bread,” many may argue that there is nothing “white bread” about Jim Gaffigan. With a bachelor’s degree in finance from Georgetown University, a new book titled “Dad is Fat” and a variety of experience in the TV and film industry, Gaffigan boasts an impressive professional and personal resume. Now, the comedian is on a stand-up comedy tour and will be performing at State Farm Center on Friday, Oct. 25, as a part of “The White Bread Tour.”

The Daily Illini had the opportunity to sit down with Gaffigan prior to his stand-up performance to find out more about his past, his current tour and his passion for stand-up comedy.

The Daily Illini: We’re so happy to have you at the University. What brings you here?

Jim Gaffigan: I love performing at colleges, and it just seemed like a great opportunity to perform there. You’re talking to somebody who loves doing stand-up and I love doing shows in college, so there was a lot of appeal there. I also went to Champaign when I was in college like a hundred years ago, so I remember being there once before.

DI: Where did your inspiration for “The White Bread Tour” come from?

JG: Well “The White Bread” thing … I’m from Indiana and I’m kind of this “white bread,” Midwestern guy and occasionally in articles I’ll be described as kind of this “white bread,” Midwestern comic, and I just thought it was kind of funny because someone would intend it as being a little bit of a criticism. And I’m like “Yeah, I am ‘white bread.’” … I didn’t really care. I thought it was kind of funny.

DI: Your new book, “Dad is Fat” talks about raising your children, as well as your own childhood. How has being a father to five children and the youngest of six siblings influenced your comedy?

JG: I would say that it’s definitely had some influence, but when I started stand-up I always wanted to keep my material relatable to everybody in the room. So when I started, I would see people doing material about their wife and kids, their husband and kids, and I told myself (that) I wasn’t going to do that at all … So it really kind of inspired that book more than anything. I mean I definitely talk about having kids a little bit in my show. … I love being a dad, but my stand-up remains observational stuff about a lazy guy who likes to eat.

DI: After graduating from Georgetown, you started a career as a litigation consultant. What made you want to become a comedian? Was there a moment, or was it always something in the back of your mind?

JG: Well I think it’s something I always wanted to do. I mean, I come from a pretty small town in Indiana and I didn’t know anyone who was in the entertainment industry, so I didn’t really see it as any possibility of becoming a stand-up comedian. I thought that it was just for people from New York and LA. I went about kind of following the path that everyone had told me I should follow, which is (to) get a finance degree and get a job in finance, and that will make me happy. It really wasn’t that satisfying for me. I also did all the things I was supposed to, and then after I got to the point where I have this interesting job in finance I realized I didn’t like it. So then I kind of did some soul-searching and realized stand-up was what I wanted to do.

DI: You’ve played such a wide variety of roles and characters in TV shows and movies, such as “That 70’s Show” and “17 Again,” as well as simply being yourself with your stand-up acts. What has been your favorite role or persona you’ve played so far?

JG: Well, I would say, I did this role in a play on Broadway, which is pretty amazing, for “That Championship Season,” which I really enjoyed. I guess the surprising thing is, the more flawed the character that I’m playing (is), the more fun it is. So, the dumber the guy is or the more kind of weaknesses (he has), the more appealing the character is.

DI: If you could give your “college self” one piece of advice, looking back, what would it be?

JG: I would say, ‘Don’t get caught up in other peoples’ expectations. And don’t worry, there’s plenty of time.’ I think that I really was kind of into what other people thought I should be doing.

DI: What advice do you have for students aspiring to enter comedy or the entertainment industry?

JG: I think the best advice is, you know, if you’re a performer, I would try to perform as much I as can. Whether it’s stand-up or anything. Just find out what you can do with it as much as you can. But otherwise, I think it’s probably a good idea to work in — I never did this — a casting office, and see how the business works. I think that’s probably a good idea.

Samantha can be reached at [email protected].