Gabriel Iglesias stays big by slimming down

Gabriel Iglesias proves you don’t have to be big – or, in his case, as big – to be a big draw.

Earlier this spring the comic known as “Fluffy” became only the 10th comedian to have his own solo, headlining show at Madison Square Garden in New York City. The accomplishment puts him in the rarefied stand-up air of Eddie Murphy, Steve Martin and Chris Rock to sell out the arena. He comes to the Kansas State Fair on Friday.

“Playing Madison Square Garden definitely solidified me as one of the big dogs out there,” Iglesias said in a phone interview from his home base of Long Beach, Calif. “I looked forward to that show. In the business there are certain goals all comics have. One is to do ‘The Tonight Show,’ one is to have a one-hour special, and another is to play Madison Square Garden.”

But his big success came at a time when the 39-year-old funnyman, known for his outsized comedy and image, actually has gotten smaller. Iglesias recently lost more than 100 pounds, going from 437 to 320, thanks to changes in diet and exercise. Iglesias said he had to slim down because, as a diabetic, he had begun losing feeling in his fingertips and toes.

“It wasn’t that I wanted to. I was comfortable eating everything and anything at all hours,” he said. “But being a diabetic, those were a big sign that if I don’t do something now, it would only get worse.”

While his weight loss has found its way into his act, Iglesias assures fans that he is still the “Fluffy” they know and love.

“I addressed it right away. When you get 110 pounds lighter it’s very noticeable. But I say it has not changed the act in any way. It’s just that if I didn’t do this, maybe I wouldn’t be here to entertain you anymore. Audiences get it. They see I can still be funny, but now I get up and off the stage a lot quicker than I used to.”

The Southern California native has been getting on stages to make people laugh since 1997, when he began his comedy career. Over those close to 20 years, Iglesias said his comedy has evolved and allowed his true personality to shine through.

“In the beginning I was very much bells and whistles. It was me going up there doing impressions and impressions of cartoons. It was silly and impersonal,” he said. “Then I started incorporating myself in my own act, telling stories. Whenever I tell stories, I animate them to still incorporate the voices and sound effects. I think I’ve finally grown into my act, which is a good thing.”

Iglesias also has grown into his own as an actor. This summer the comic reprised his role as former club DJ Tobias in the sequel “Magic Mike XXL.” He also had a recurring role in the ABC sitcom “Cristela” last season. And last year his stand-up comedy film, “The Fluffy Movie,” was released. He said that besides the bigger paycheck, acting gives him a chance to collaborate and grow.

“With acting, you are working with other people and learning to take direction. As a comedian the only direction you get is: ‘The stage is there – go on it,’ ” he said. “As a comedian you’re the actor, producer, all those roles. When you are an actor, you have to step back and be directed. But working with other people is very challenging. I am a comedian at heart, so I have to learn to do that.”

Iglesias continues his work in front of the camera and behind with his various TV projects. His “Gabriel Iglesias Presents Stand Up Revolution” recently finished its third season on Comedy Central. And he recently signed a deal with Fuse TV for a new reality show called “Fluffy Breaks Even.” The premise of the series is that each week Iglesias and his road crew try to “break even” calorie-wise with exercise and other activity. The series, which comes out in September, is currently filming.

The comic also has not ruled out starring in a sitcom of his own. It’s a path many big comics have followed, from Jerry Seinfeld to Bernie Mac and Louis C.K.

“I love the touring; I really enjoy the touring. But if I want to have myself in a different category, I have to eventually do a sitcom. I think it’s coming,” Iglesias said.

This story was originally published September 17, 2015 at 4:59 PM with the headline "Gabriel Iglesias stays big by slimming down."