Pete Grella is a Hong Kong-based stand-up comedian and improviser who has been cutting up audiences around Asia for over ten years. In addition to being a regular performer in Hong Kong, Pete has performed in New York City, Shanghai, Beijing, Guangzhou, Shenzhen, Dongguan, Singapore, Bangkok, Kuala Lumpur, Fukuoka, Seoul and at the MGM Macau. He has also hosted or opened for a long list of visiting international comics, including Tom Cotter, Paul Ogata, Tom Segura, Ruben Paul, Barry Hilton and Ari Shaffir. Pete’s sets often dissect life as an expat (and just trying to fit in, in general), though he’s never afraid to poke fun at himself and his own bad habits. He also likes to engage the audience, so if you’re sitting up front, be ready to chat! 

Pete has also been performing and teaching improv comedy (short form, free form and long form) for over 10 years in Hong Kong and around Asia, including Bangkok, Shanghai, Beijing, Manila, Singapore, Tokyo, Osaka, Guangzhou, Macau and Seoul. He is a co-founder of the long form improv groups Pajama Party!, 852 Crew, and 3 Dudes Improv, and the founder of the group Hong Kong Improv. He has also co-run the HK International Improv Festival and currently the HK Improv Jamboree.

When he’s not performing or teaching, Pete has been known to live on an abandoned oil rig in the North Sea raising sea monkeys.

Credits

As seen in the movie “I Need You to Kill”

Finalist, Hong Kong Comedy Competition (2013, 2014, 2018)

Finalist, Magners Intl Comedy Festival Big V (2016)

Testimonials 

“Pete Grella is one of the shining stars of the Hong Kong comedy scene. Stand-up, improv, sketch, Pete does it all!”

-Paul Ogata

International Comedian and Porn Star

“Pete uses his experiences in life and in living abroad to poke fun at himself, to share his take on life, and to explore just trying to fit in. Which is all just a polite way to say he’s broken down, old and lives far away… but is still damn funny. His clever comedy is laugh-out-loud funny, and his improvisational skills will have the audience in stitches before they even know what’s hit them!”

– Tom Cotter

Runner-up “America’s Got Talent” Season 7

“Pete is a true professional. Not only does he make the audience laugh, but me too! Which after 38 years in the business, is a hard thing to do, Bay-Bee!” 

– Bob Zany

Comedy legend

“I’ve had the honour of working with Pete Grella professionally many times over the last few years. It has always been a joy to see him inciting the crowd into a frenzy of churlish laughter. His professional attitude and bearing make him an excellent choice for corporate engagements and his quick witted improvisational style truly make him a comedic lethal weapon. I have no hesitation in recommending him as a cornerstone of any comedy billing. He is a pure vein of comedy talent and a veritable fount of knowledge of the skill and craft required to achieve greatness in his field.”

– Andre King

International circuit comic

“Pete Grella stood out from every performer I met in Hong Kong when I first played there. With a friendly wit, a boyish smile and sort of subversive slyness to his style you don’t see coming. He’s a master at getting the toughest crowds to laugh loud and laugh often. Some performers are stand-up comics. Some are improvisers. Peter not only does both brilliantly he does the thing professionals work years to accomplish; he has fun and as a result the crowd has fun with him. I cannot recommend Peter Grella enough for your stage, club or event. Book him now before you can’t afford him!”

– Joe Klocek

Stand-up, storyteller and Scorpio