josh got jokes

About me

Josh Pierce is a Portland-based millennial comedian whose work blends earnest absurdity with a love for all things bizarre. Onstage, he’s known for standup that dives into dragons, workplace icebreakers, modern dating disasters, paranormal-investigator friends, crows with suspicious motives, Clifford the Big Red Dog’s questionable life choices, and the enduring cinematic masterpiece Waterworld.

Josh began his comedy journey in 2023 at Curious Comedy Theater, where he trained in improv and later joined the ensemble “Yes Andromeda.” In 2024 he stepped into standup, performing at Helium Comedy Club’s Neon Room, competing twice in Portland’s Funniest Person contest, and appearing in numerous shows throughout the city’s thriving comedy scene. In addition to regular stand-up comedy, Josh also performs as a comedy magician named Don Maximo.

Josh hosts the podcast Discussion Derby, where conversations careen from thoughtful to delightfully unhinged. His creative work also extends into film—he won a puppeteering award for the short film “Birdwatching” in the 2025 48 Hour Film Project.