Judy Croon

“It's all about Balance.”

"Stand-up is adrenaline. Speaking is purpose. Teaching is giving back. Podcasting is where I get to ask all the questions."

-- Judy Croon

“Judy Croon is a joy to be around and has a distinctive laugh that is contagious. She is sweet and funny.”

-- Evan Carter, Canadian Comedy Legend and Writer

“Judy Croon is a wonderful friend, when I started comedy, she was very supportive and nurturing.”

-- Matha Chaves, Canadian Comic, Writer, Producer, and Actress

“In 2018. Judy Croon was my first Stand-Up Comedy Teacher at Second City in Toronto ON. She was an amazing teacher who always gave positive feedback and is a major influence in my continuing Stand-Up Comedy journey.”

-- Dr. Sarah Boston, Veterinarian, Canadian Comic, Author, Podcaster

Ms. Judy Croon has worn many hats in her career from stand-up comedy, keynote humourist, radio personality, motivational speaker, teacher, podcaster, and author. She has done this with grace, determination, and kindness. ´ Honestly, they all feed different parts of me.”

“I’m an observational comic. Basically, I take the voice in my head — the one that won’t shut up when I'm stuck in traffic, or in the return line at Costco behind someone trying to return a rotisserie chicken from 2014 — and say it out loud.

When I started, I thought my constant stream of everyday annoyances and little life observations meant there was something wrong with me. Turns out, that voice isn’t weird — it’s completely normal. A lot of people have that running commentary, they just don't get paid to say it onstage. I used to chase laughs. I just tell the truth about what everyone else is thinking.”

Judy Croon has a likeable stage presence that brings the audiences small and large into her world. ´Ms. Croon states, “it did not happen overnight!”

“I wasn’t born holding a mic. It took years of work, hundreds of shows, and a few nights questioning all my life choices while eating fries alone in a comedy condo.

You get better by bombing, learning, and doing it again.Stage presence doesn’t come naturally. Every silence, every heckle, every gig in a sports bar with a dartboard behind you teaches resilience.That’s when it starts to look effortless — not because it’s easy, but because you’ve earned the ease.”

The multi-talented Judy Croon was born in the Netherlands. Her father was Dutch and her mother was from British Guyana. “So, I’m half-Dutch, ¼ Asian, 1/8 Black, and 1/8 vodka. Basically, I’m a United Nations potluck with a chaser.” 

Growing up in a family of three girls, and two funny parents it seemed that Ms. Judy Croon was destined to be a stand-up comic. “I never planned on being a comedian. Honestly, I thought I was going to be a veterinarian. In Calgary, I even worked in a vet clinic for three years on weekends as a receptionist. I could file medical records, answer phones, and hold a chihuahua like a pro.”

“We moved to Canada when I was young — my dad worked in insurance and we moved a lot. I must have gone to about ten different schools. That’s where I really developed my sense of humour. When you’re always the new kid — and taller than everyone else — you learn to joke fast. Kids would say, “How’s the weather up there?” and I’d say, “Cloudy with a chance of spit,” and then… well, let's just say I was an early adopter of physical comedy.”

“My dad had that classic quirky Dutch humour — very abrupt. The kind of humour where you’re never quite sure if he’s joking or filing your taxes. My mom, on the other hand, was straight-up hilarious. She could walk into any room and kill. She was one of the greatest storytellers I’ve ever known. We heard the same stories over and over — like a Netflix special on repeat — but they never got old because she always found a way to make them feel brand new.”

In the Croon Family. “laughter was sort of our family currency. If someone had a bad day, the solution wasn’t therapy — it was a punchline. That early training made comedy feel like home long before I ever set foot onstage.”

During Judy’s second year of University in Calgary Alberta life took a sharp turn. And so started the comedy career of Canadian Comedy Trailblazer Ms. Judy Croon.

“During my second year of university, reality hit — hard. I was in biology, and let’s just say 60% of my final grade (and about 70% of my fruit flies) flew right out of the classroom. I think my confidence followed them. I had a full-on breakdown, quit university, and one night I found myself lying on the living room carpet, crying, wondering what I was going to do with my life.

Suddenly, Joan Rivers appeared on The Tonight Show — like a bolt of lightning. In that moment, something clicked. I wanted to do stand up comedy.

Six months later, I loaded up my car, pointed it south, and drove to the States for three months to work the comedy clubs. No plan, no safety net — just stubborn Canadian optimism and a trunk full of bad jokes and luggage I packed at 3 a.m.

Looking back, it was reckless and terrifying. But so is organic chemistry, and comedy didn’t require a lab coat.

Years later through Unique Lives  I actually got to interview Joan at Roy Thomson Hall in front of 2500 people. I told her she was the reason I started comedy. She was a total pro; sharp, warm, fearless and lightning-funny. It was a full-circle moment that I’ll treasure forever.”

Judy with Joan Rivers

After the adventure in Los Angles, Ms. Judy Croon relocated from Calgary Alberta to Toronto ON. In Toronto she spent approximately 8 years working at Yuk Yuk’s starting as an opening act, moving to a middle act, and then graduated to a headliner. Judy remembers, I got my comedy voice doing clubs across Canada being one of the few professional female stand-up comics at the time.”

She decided to work clean using her observational style to make audiences laugh but most importantly if family and friends came to her shows. “My parents were not impressed when their oldest child decided to pursue comedy. They were worried and scared… until they saw me on tour out west opening for Dionne Warwick.” Suddenly, I was no longer unemployed — I was ‘in show business.’

Being practical Judy decided she needed a back-up plan and choose to study Radio and television production at Humber College in Toronto. After graduating, Judy Croon got a break and started her radio career.

“Radio was an extension of stand-up — same timing, different format. I started in Canadian radio, then ended up working in the States for a while. It was fun, but I’m a proud Canadian — I missed our sense of humour and our healthcare.”

Radio took Ms. Judy Croon to four different cities, Ottawa three years, New Jersey three years, Los Angles three years, and Toronto three years as well. Humour was the string in all the cities, Or Humor in the USA.

Thanks to the radio connection with Unique Lives Ms. Croon has interview some amazing celebrities:

Judy with Sissy Spacek

Judy with Colin Mochrie and Debra McGrath

Judy with Dionne Warwick

Judy with John Cleese

“The John Cleese interview came out of nowhere — I was working in radio when I got the chance. It was like meeting a comedy god. He was witty, humble, and actually laughed at one of my jokes. I thought, ‘That’s it’ — I can die happy.”

I asked Ms. Judy Croon what kept her going in the competitive world of Canadian Comedy when many others quit?

“Canadian comedy is a hard mountain to climb. Sometimes it feels like climbing Everest — but instead of Sherpas, you have three drunk guys in a sports bar yelling, ‘Tell a joke’

What kept me going when others quit was probably a combo of Dutch stubbornness and Guyanese roll-with-the-punches humour. But trust me — it wasn’t easy. Some nights you feel like a rockstar. Other nights you feel like the karaoke machine unplugged itself just to save the audience.”

Then I asked Judy what advice she would give to newbie comics?

“Write every day, perform as much as you can and don’t take advice from someone who’s never bombed. Be on time, be kind, and remember there’s no shortcut to funny. It’s repetition, reflection, and resilience — and maybe a little scotch.”

Ms. Judy Croon got into motivational speaking when she realized that workplace audiences needed laughter and relief.  Judy states, “Everyone’s stressed — humour is the pressure valve. I love blending laughter with lessons; it’s like sneaking vegetables into mac and cheese.”

As I have gotten to know Judy on a personal level in the last 6 years, I am in “AWW” of her hard work and determination in helping the less fortunate and needy pets. She has an unbelievable philanthropy spirit that shows through in her day-to-day life.

“My mum came from a culture rooted in care and community. That’s one reason I believe so many Guyanese people are warm, sharp, and endlessly generous. Even when my Guyanese grandmother didn’t have much, she never turned away anyone who came to her door hungry — even if all she could offer was a single cup of rice. She was the definition of love and kindness.

My mum and her family carried that same belief: call it faith, call it humanity — kindness was non-negotiable.”

 “Early in my career, I found myself overwhelmed by all the problems in the world. One day I made a small decision: I’d do one thing every day for somebody else — big or small. A text, a phone call, an email. Over time, those tiny gestures built up and led to bigger ways of giving back.”

“Another inspiration came from stories my family told me about Auntie Olga — a trailblazing broadcaster born in Guyana who later moved to Barbados. She founded the Needy Children’s Fund and didn’t just talk about helping people — she got in her van and did it: delivering hampers, school uniforms, and food to families in need. That kind of love in action left a big impression on me.”

“It started when I realized comedy could do more than make people laugh. I’ve been lucky to work with some amazing people on and off stage, producing fundraisers like Stand Up for the Girls and Laughlines for the Princess Margaret Hospital Foundation — together raising hundreds of thousands of dollars for breast-cancer research.”

“These days, I volunteer weekly with City Street Outreach  in Toronto, distributing food, clothing, and pet food. That work keeps me grounded. I think laughter and compassion are cousins — both remind people they’re not alone.

Here’s what I’ve learned: you don’t have to wait for a big moment to make a difference. Just do one thoughtful thing every day, no matter what. Take care of yourself. Take care of others. And always keep your eyes open for the next person who knocks on your door for a cup of rice.”

When not working or helping others Judy relaxes by “Dog walks, audiobooks, meditation, and Scandinavian murder mysteries. I relax my mind and terrify it — it's all about balance.”

Ms. Judy Croon wants to continue to create more laughter and purpose in Canadian Comedy.

“I’m focused on expanding my work as Canada’s Keynote Humourist, bringing humour-driven stress relief and resilience to conferences and workplaces across Canada and beyond. At the same time, I’m developing Comedians with Compassion, a project spotlighting comedians who use laughter to create real social impact. It’s comedy with purpose — and a lot of heart. Same jokes — better intentions.”

“So that’s my plan — show up, be kind, keep a sense of humour, and try not to lose my Sharpie.Take care of yourself, take care of others, and be grateful for the ride.”Laugh Long and Prosper.

Say hi to Ms. Judy Croon at a comedy show or Keynote Event. She may give you a comedy tip… and if you sit and stay, maybe even a doggie treat.

Find Judy Online:

Judy Croon — Canada’s Keynote Humourist🌐 Website: www.judycroon.com

Discover upcoming shows, videos, and speaking information.

🎥 YouTube: Laugh Long and Prosper

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🎧 Podcast: Laugh Long and Prosper

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Mention you found out about Judy Croon on The Comedy Green Room dot com

Author's Note: All quotations in this article are taken directly from their original sources and accurately reflect the words of those quoted. Some were obtained through direct interviews, while others were drawn from public television/radio interviews or Facebook posts by the individuals themselves.