Comedian Craig Shoemaker believes in the healing power of laughter. If he were a doctor and could write a prescription for what ails you, it would surely be two doses of comedy and call him in the morning.
“Even if you don’t go see me, I recommend go see another comedian,” Shoemaker, who is performing at the Arlington Cinema ‘n’ Drafthouse this weekend, said during a recent phone interview. “Have that be part of your wellness program. What is it, a $20 co-pay to get in?”
Funny, Shoemaker is. He’s had popular specials on Comedy Central, DVD releases and has toured across the country. He’s well known for his “Lovemaster” routine and well-crafted observational humor.
But Shoemaker, 47, keeps busy with a wide range of professional interests. His resume includes, among other items: sitcom writer, actor, game show host, radio show host, filmmaker, writer and co-host of the “Magic Johnson Hour.” He’s even written a pair of children’s books.
“It sort of breaks the mold of pigeonholing that they do in Hollywood,” Shoemaker said. “I come from this place of no limits. I don’t like to put limits on anything. If I decide to listen to the calling that’s within for that moment, and it could go in any direction, I listen to it, like a voice.”
When trying to explain how he can be a person that has both a marijuana-themed film such as “Totally Baked” as well as children’s books to his credit, Shoemaker stressed that he pursues what inspires him. His diverse interests are just a reflection of the creator, and not some grand plan.
“No planning went into any of my life,” Shoemaker joked. “Anything that I did plan, always failed.”
Shoemaker’s Laughter Heals Foundation is “a nonprofit organization whose goal is to promote healing through laughter,” according to laughterheals.org. The comedian stresses the medicinal properties and health benefits of laughter.
“Even if laughter didn’t heal — which I do believe it does — if you die, you die laughing,” he said. “It’s a much better place to be in.”
Born and raised outside of Philadelphia, Shoemaker now lives in Los Angeles with his second wife and three sons ages 1, 6 and 12. Early in his career he performed frequently in D.C., and lived in Arlington on Four Mile Run. However, it’s been a dozen years since his last performance in the area.
“It has a lot of great memories,” Shoemaker said. “It’s been a long long time since I performed there. But I’m still the Lovemaster. I still have the Lovemaster channel through me. It doesn’t matter how many kids I have. I’m now the Lovemaster and the diaper master.”
