By: Yvette McDonald & Joni Boyd
Anthony Salame has done the seemingly impossible: he has found a way to create family friendly stand-up comedy.
Transitioning from crude to clean, family friendly stand-up comedy followed his recommitment to Christ.
Anthony Salame has navigated a successful 20-year career in the entertainment industry that has been diverse and multifaceted.
However, he shares that reconnecting to his Christian roots a few years ago influenced the change in trajectory of his professional path.
From stage to page
According to Anthony, it’s not his number one rated breakfast shows or his internationally renowned stand-up comedy performances that are his greatest achievements in life.
He has found his calling in storytelling, and says the most fulfilling chapter of his career has been his venture into writing faith-based children’s literature.
“The most rewarding work I’ve done is definitely these children’s books that I’ve been putting out in the last few years,” Anthony said in our interview.
His books aim to instil valuable life lessons as he integrates foundational biblical teachings and incorporates themes, such as, “kindness, love, family and unity”.
Clean comedy in a secular world
In the cutthroat world of stand-up comedy, where vulgarity and blasphemy often reigns, Anthony’s commitment to clean, family-friendly humour stands out.
“I made that decision to work clean,” he said.
“If you’re funny, you’re funny and people will respect you… I’d say 8 out of 10 times when I’m in the comedy club performing, there’s definitely at least one comedian mocking Christianity, mocking our Lord and Saviour, and it’s heart breaking.
“But what can you do? You just got to pray for these people and… I just have to continue to be true to myself.”
Foundations
Despite being grounded in Christian teachings from a young age, Salame didn’t prioritise faith as an adult.
“I probably wasn’t putting my faith first all the time, I was chasing that career,” he said and explained that he believes strong foundations can guide people back to faith, even if they stray.
“I think when that foundation is there, they’ll always come back.”
It’s something he lives out in his day-to-day life.
“I read my books to kids and especially the older kids that are going into high school, and I always stress to them, you’re going to be faced with adversities, and you’re going to probably succumb to some peer pressure with your group of friends.
“But, you know, never lose that relationship with God,” he said.
Anthony encourages Christians finding their way to “read scriptures”, “be true to yourself” and not “follow the crowd”.
“It’s important to stay connected to God… if you’re not connected to God, not connected to that spiritual life, you’re going to get side tracked and you’re going to maybe get lost in the world. But that relationship keeps you rooted in Him.”
Article supplied with thanks to Hope Media.
About the Author: Joni Boyd is a writer, based in the Hawkesbury Region of NSW. She is passionate about the power of stories shared, to transform lives.
