Former area resident makes movie debut

Fort Scott native Richard Christy is taking his comedic talents to the silver screen.

Christy, 34, a 1992 graduate of Uniontown High School who currently works as an on-air personality and writer for "The Howard Stern Show," is co-starring in the upcoming film, "Harold and Kumar Escape from Guantanamo Bay," which is set to be released April 25. The film is a sequel to the 2004 comedy, "Harold and Kumar Go to White Castle."

Christy is also a drummer and comedian who landed his current position after winning a 2004 contest called "Win John's Job," according to his parents, local residents Tom and Pat Christy.

"He's always been a fan of and listened to his (Stern) show," Tom Christy said. "He used to send in song parodies and things like that and won $25,000 one time. Not many people get to do their dream job, and that's what he's doing."

During his music career, Christy played drums in several heavy metal bands and has also written the lyrics to various songs. He won the job working for Howard Stern in 2004 when John Melendez left Stern's show to become the announcer for the "Tonight Show with Jay Leno."

Christy was one of 10 Stern fans who competed in the contest, with Christy winning after earning 30 percent of the vote. Two years ago, Stern gave Christy his own semi-regular radio show when Stern moved to Sirius Satellite Radio.

Christy has also participated in several outrageous prank calls and stunts throughout the course of his radio career, and he has made various television appearances. He has also starred in, written and directed several short films and has recorded voice-over work for television.

According to his official Web site, www.richardchristy.com, Christy grew up in Redfield playing drums on 5-gallon feed buckets using dowel rods. At the age of 10, he began playing drums while attending elementary school in Uniontown. He continued to play drums throughout grade school and high school. After high school, he primarily became focused on pursuing a music career.

In 1989, he joined his first band, which was based in Fort Scott and consisted of other local musicians who played various cover songs from other famous bands at local nightspots. He played with other bands in the area during the early 1990s before eventually moving to Springfield, Mo.

Christy has also lived in Orlando, Fla., where he played music with the band, "Burning Inside." He has since toured the country with various bands and continues to play the drums to this day. He currently lives in New York City, where he still works on "The Howard Stern Show," play the drums, and write and record music.

More information can be found on Christy's Web site, www.richardchristy.com.