Brian Fischler

The World’s Funniest Blind Comedian and Writer

Gallery

This is the beginning of the gallery rather than the whole of it. More photographs are being sorted and added, so check back.

Every photograph here has a written description attached to it, so the page works the same way whether you are looking at it or listening to it.

On stage

Performing

  • Brian Fischler on stage at Gotham Comedy Club, in a black knit cap, glasses and a blue button-down shirt, holding a microphone to his mouth with one hand and a folded white cane in the other. Behind him the club's backdrop shows the Gotham Comedy Club name in gold above a black and white New York skyline. To his right, an easel holds a yellow poster announcing Laugh For Sight, presented by the Foundation Fighting Blindness and Gotham Comedy Club, with Robert Klein billed at the center above headshots of the rest of the lineup. The backs of the seated audience fill the foreground.
    The second Laugh For Sight, Gotham Comedy Club, November 2006.
  • Brian Fischler on stage at Gotham Comedy Club, singing or speaking into a microphone on a stand, one hand on the mic. He wears a brown New York Yankees cap, dark glasses, a mint green checked short-sleeved shirt with sunglasses hooked in the collar, and jeans. In his other hand he holds the leash of his yellow Labrador guide dog Nash, who lies on the stage beside him in harness, mouth open. The club's lit skyline backdrop is behind them.
    On stage at Gotham with Nash, photographed for the New York Daily News, July 2009.
  • Brian Fischler performing on stage at the Hollywood Improv, lit against an exposed brick wall with the club's white neon sign behind him. He wears a black and white houndstooth fedora, dark sunglasses, and a black jacket embroidered with an Oscars statuette over a navy sweater. One hand holds the microphone, the other rests on the stand, and a folded white cane leans against it. Nash, his yellow Labrador guide dog, lies in harness beside him with his tongue out. The silhouettes of the audience fill the foreground.
    On stage with Nash at the third Los Angeles Laugh For Sight, the Hollywood Improv, May 2013.
  • Brian Fischler on stage at Gotham Comedy Club, both hands on the microphone and its stand, head tilted slightly and mid-line. He wears a black and white houndstooth fedora, dark sunglasses, a navy waffle-knit sweater with red horizontal stripes, and khaki trousers. A leather guide dog harness handle hangs from his wrist. The club's backdrop fills the frame behind him, the Gotham Comedy Club name glowing above an illuminated New York skyline.
    On stage at the eighth Laugh For Sight, Gotham Comedy Club, October 2013.

Good company

With fellow comics, some more famous than others

  • Sarah Silverman and Brian Fischler standing together in a club lobby. Silverman wears a red Boston Red Sox knit cap with the letter B, a navy and white striped top, and a red bag over one shoulder, holding a few sheets of paper. Brian wears a brown felt hat, yellow-tinted glasses, and a denim shirt embroidered with the Guiding Eyes for the Blind logo. Framed photographs of comedians hang on the brick wall behind them.
    With Sarah Silverman at the first Los Angeles Laugh For Sight, the Hollywood Improv, 2010. Photograph © 2010 Petra Rajnicova Photography.
  • Kevin Pollak with his arm around Brian Fischler's shoulders, both smiling at the camera. Pollak wears a green and white plaid shirt and holds a white paper coffee cup. Brian wears a brown felt hat, yellow-tinted glasses, and a denim shirt embroidered with the Guiding Eyes for the Blind logo. A bar and warm club lighting fill the background.
    With Kevin Pollak at the first Los Angeles Laugh For Sight, the Hollywood Improv, 2010. Photograph © 2010 Petra Rajnicova Photography.
  • Alonzo Bodden and Brian Fischler standing shoulder to shoulder in a dimly lit club, both smiling toward the camera. Bodden, on the right, is tall and clean-shaven with a broad grin, wearing an olive green button-down shirt. Brian wears a brown felt hat, yellow-tinted glasses, a denim shirt and a dark jacket.
    With Alonzo Bodden at the first Los Angeles Laugh For Sight, the Hollywood Improv, 2010. Photograph © 2010 Petra Rajnicova Photography.
  • Three men standing together beside a large Laugh For Sight banner, its logo showing a smiling eye and a line reading sponsored by VisionZone. On the left, Daryl Wright, in a tan blazer over a white T-shirt, a dark baseball cap and wire-framed glasses. In the center, Brian Fischler in a dark flat cap and a black jacket embroidered with an Oscars statuette over a denim shirt, holding a guide dog harness. On the right, Alonzo Bodden, in a black long-sleeved top, a gray flat cap and glasses. Brian's yellow Labrador guide dog Nash sits in harness at their feet, looking off to the side.
    With Daryl Wright, Alonzo Bodden and Nash at the first Los Angeles Laugh For Sight, the Hollywood Improv, 2010. Photograph © 2010 Petra Rajnicova Photography.
  • Three men standing together in a club lobby with yellow walls and framed photographs. On the left, Robert Klein, gray-haired and in wire-framed glasses, wearing a tan overcoat over a black shirt and dark tie. In the center, Steven Wright, curly-haired under a navy Boston Red Sox cap, in a blue shirt open at the collar under a black jacket. On the right, Brian Fischler in a black and white houndstooth fedora and a denim shirt embroidered with the Guiding Eyes for the Blind logo.
    With two legends of comedy, Robert Klein and Steven Wright, at the sixth Laugh For Sight, Gotham Comedy Club, October 2011.
  • Jenna Elfman, Brian Fischler and Daryl Wright standing together in front of a Laugh For Sight banner. Elfman, on the left, has short blonde hair and wears a cream jacket studded with metal over a patterned blouse. Brian, in the center, wears a black and white houndstooth fedora, dark sunglasses, and a tan jacket over a blue shirt. Wright, on the right, wears a dark cap, a blue and white striped shirt, and a black jacket with leather sleeves carrying an HBO logo. Framed photographs line the wall beside them.
    With Jenna Elfman and Daryl Wright at the second Los Angeles Laugh For Sight, the Hollywood Improv, March 2012.
  • Pablo Francisco with his arm around Brian Fischler. Francisco wears a black cap, wire-framed glasses, and a shirt printed all over with photographs, with a folded coat and a white towel over one arm. Brian wears a black and white houndstooth fedora, dark sunglasses, and a tan jacket over a blue shirt. A large photograph of Sarah Silverman hangs on the brick wall behind them.
    With Pablo Francisco at the second Los Angeles Laugh For Sight, the Hollywood Improv, March 2012.
  • Christopher Titus with his arm around Brian Fischler's shoulders, both smiling at the camera. Titus is tall with short fair hair and wears a black button-down shirt. Brian wears a black and white houndstooth fedora, dark sunglasses, and a tan jacket over a blue shirt, holding a plastic cup with a straw. The darkened club room stretches behind them.
    With Christopher Titus at the second Los Angeles Laugh For Sight, the Hollywood Improv, March 2012.
  • Russell Peters and Brian Fischler standing shoulder to shoulder in a crowded club, both looking at the camera. Peters wears a gray and brown checked blazer over an open-collared white shirt. Brian wears a black and white houndstooth fedora, dark sunglasses, and a tan jacket over a blue shirt with white earbuds around his neck. Other guests fill the room behind them.
    With Russell Peters at the second Los Angeles Laugh For Sight, the Hollywood Improv, March 2012.
  • Three men standing together in front of a bar lined with bottles. On the left, Brian Fischler in a black and white houndstooth fedora, dark sunglasses, and a tan jacket over a blue shirt, holding a green beer bottle. In the center, Greg Fitzsimmons in a dark cap and a deep red button-down shirt. On the right, Pablo Francisco in a black cap, wire-framed glasses, and a denim jacket over a shirt printed with photographs. A television screen glows on the wall behind them.
    With Pablo Francisco and Greg Fitzsimmons at the second Los Angeles Laugh For Sight, the Hollywood Improv, March 2012.
  • Three men standing together against a yellow wall in a club lobby. On the left, Eddie Brill, heavier-set with graying hair, in a worn brown leather jacket over a dark T-shirt. In the center, Brian Fischler in a black and white houndstooth fedora, dark sunglasses and a navy cable-knit sweater, holding a glass of beer. On the right, Colin Quinn, with short spiked hair, in a charcoal sweater over a pale blue collared shirt, one arm around Brian's shoulders.
    With Colin Quinn and Eddie Brill at Laugh For Sight 2012 — the year Hurricane Sandy tried to cancel the show and lost.
  • Paul Mercurio and Brian Fischler standing side by side beneath a framed Gotham Comedy Club New York City sign on a yellow wall. Mercurio wears a gray zip-up jacket over a black graphic T-shirt and has his arm around Brian's shoulders. Brian wears a black and white houndstooth fedora, dark sunglasses and a navy sweater. A red holiday bow is pinned to the wall behind them.
    With Paul Mercurio, December 2012. Sandy pushed the benefit back six weeks, which is why Gotham is decorated for the holidays.
  • Five people standing shoulder to shoulder on stage in front of the Gotham Comedy Club backdrop, a microphone on a stand at the right of the frame. From the left: Rich Vos in a black T-shirt with a tattoo on his forearm; Colin Quinn in a charcoal sweater over a pale blue collared shirt; a blonde woman in a patterned dress with long layered necklaces and a gray jacket; a dark-haired woman in a black winter coat; and Brian Fischler in a black and white houndstooth fedora, dark sunglasses and a navy sweater, with an arm around her shoulders.
    On the Gotham stage with Rich Vos, Colin Quinn, Bonnie McFarlane and host Bonnie Bernstein, December 2012.
  • Three men standing outside a comedy club at dusk, beneath an illuminated marquee spelling Improv Comedy in bulbs. On the left, Harland Williams giving a thumbs up with a wide-eyed grin, in a dark jacket over a graphic T-shirt. In the center, Brian Fischler in a black and white houndstooth fedora, dark sunglasses and a black jacket embroidered with an Oscars statuette, holding a guide dog harness. On the right, Bobby Slayton, silver-haired and in dark rectangular glasses, wearing a blue and white striped shirt open over a light tee, holding a small black sunglasses pouch. Brian's yellow Labrador guide dog Nash sits in harness in front of them.
    With Harland Williams, Bobby Slayton — the Pit Bull of Comedy — and Nash outside the Hollywood Improv, the third Los Angeles Laugh For Sight, May 2013.
  • Greg Proops and Brian Fischler standing together against a dark brick wall backstage. Proops wears heavy tortoiseshell glasses, a navy blazer and a blue checked shirt, one hand resting on his chest. Brian wears a black and white houndstooth fedora, dark sunglasses, and a black jacket embroidered with an Oscars statuette over a black sweater, with an arm around Proops.
    With Greg Proops at the third Los Angeles Laugh For Sight, the Hollywood Improv, May 2013.
  • Four men standing together outside the Hollywood Improv, beneath a lit marquee reading New Improv Bar. From the left: Brian Fischler in a black and white houndstooth fedora, dark sunglasses and a black jacket embroidered with an Oscars statuette, holding a guide dog harness; Paul Rodriguez in a black fedora and a red and black striped shirt; Harland Williams, wide-eyed and grinning, in a faded Pepsi-Cola T-shirt under a black jacket; and a fourth man in a gray fedora and a navy suit with a white pocket square.
    With Paul Rodriguez and Harland Williams outside the Hollywood Improv, the third Los Angeles Laugh For Sight, May 2013.
  • Bianca Kajlich and Brian Fischler standing against an exposed brick wall beneath the Improv's white neon sign. Kajlich has long brown hair and wears a gray sweater, black leggings and purple suede heels, one hand on Brian's shoulder. Brian wears a black and white houndstooth fedora, dark sunglasses and a black jacket embroidered with an Oscars statuette, holding a leather harness handle. Nash, his yellow Labrador guide dog, stands in harness at his feet with his head lowered, the fur around his muzzle gone white.
    With host Bianca Kajlich and Nash at the third Los Angeles Laugh For Sight, the Hollywood Improv, May 2013.
  • Brian Fischler, Jenna Elfman and Judah Friedlander standing together against a large black and white mural. Brian, on the left, wears a black and white houndstooth fedora, dark wraparound sunglasses and a dark red bowling shirt with a black collar. Elfman, in the center, wears a blue sleeveless dress with black trim, an arm around each of them. Friedlander, on the right, has dark curly hair and wears a pale blue zip-up jacket over a white T-shirt.
    With host Jenna Elfman, back for a second turn, and Judah Friedlander at the fourth Los Angeles Laugh For Sight, the Hollywood Improv, April 2014.
  • Bobby Slayton and Brian Fischler standing together against a large black and white mural, Brian's arm around Slayton's shoulders. Slayton has short silver-gray hair and wears a plain black T-shirt and navy trousers, one hand on his hip. Brian wears a black and white houndstooth fedora, dark wraparound sunglasses and a maroon and black paneled bowling shirt over a gray tee.
    With Bobby Slayton at the fourth Los Angeles Laugh For Sight, the Hollywood Improv, April 2014.
  • Gilbert Gottfried and Brian Fischler shaking hands in a club corridor with yellow walls hung with framed photographs of comedians. Gottfried, on the right, wears a yellow, blue and white plaid shirt over jeans and is smiling. Brian, on the left, is seen from behind and in profile, in a black straw fedora, dark sunglasses and a black and white paneled bowling shirt. A lit exit sign glows above them.
    Shaking hands with Gilbert Gottfried backstage at Laugh For Sight, Gotham Comedy Club, October 2014.
  • Gilbert Gottfried standing beside Brian Fischler with a hand on his shoulder, both facing the camera. Gottfried wears a yellow, blue and white plaid shirt. Brian wears a black straw fedora, dark wraparound sunglasses, and a black and white paneled bowling shirt over a navy long-sleeved top. Rows of framed photographs of comedians cover the yellow wall behind them.
    With Gilbert Gottfried at Laugh For Sight, Gotham Comedy Club, October 2014. The Laugh For Sight Lifetime Achievement Award is now named for him.
  • Stacey Prussman and Brian Fischler standing together in front of the Laugh For Sight sign on its easel. Prussman has long dark hair and wears a black blazer over a bright pink blouse with black trousers and strappy heels. Brian wears a black straw fedora, dark wraparound sunglasses, and a black and white paneled bowling shirt over a navy long-sleeved top, holding a leather harness handle. Nash, his yellow Labrador guide dog, sits in harness at their feet, mouth open.
    With comic Stacey Prussman and Nash at Laugh For Sight, Gotham Comedy Club, October 2014.

2009 to 2014

Nash

Brian’s first guide dog, partnered with him in 2009, the same year he lost the last of his sight. Nash worked the clubs, the benefits and the streets of Manhattan, and had strong opinions about snow.

  • Brian Fischler seated on a New York subway train, leaning forward with both hands resting on his yellow Labrador guide dog, who sits between his knees facing the camera with his mouth open and tongue out. Brian wears a gray New York Yankees cap, glasses, and a mint green checked short-sleeved shirt with sunglasses hooked in the collar. A leather leash loops across his lap and a subway advertisement is visible on the wall behind him.
    Riding the subway with Nash, 2009.
  • Brian Fischler seated on a tall chair at a bar, in glasses and a beard, wearing a black jacket embroidered with an Oscars statuette over a light blue button-down shirt and jeans. He rests one hand on the head of a yellow Labrador sitting in front of him in a leather guide dog harness, mouth open, looking up and away. A folded white cane rests against the dog's side. Behind them the bar top holds bottles and glasses.
    Brian and Nash at the fourth Laugh For Sight, November 2009 — their first together.
  • A yellow Labrador lying on a floor cushion striped in red, cream, green and yellow, on a wooden floor. His head rests flat on the cushion between his front paws and he is looking straight at the camera, his eyes catching the light.
    Nash at home in Manhattan, June 2009.
  • A yellow Labrador lying on the black cushion of a poolside lounger, front paws crossed, looking off to the side. Behind him are a turquoise swimming pool, white cabanas with curtains tied back, palm trees, and a white multi-story hotel.
    Nash on a lounger at the Ritz-Carlton South Beach, before Laugh For Sight South Beach, December 2010.
  • Close view of a yellow Labrador lying on a bed with a faded green Panama Jack cap perched on his head, the brim tipped down over one eye. He is looking up past the brim. A green and cream striped pillow sits behind him.
    Nash in a Panama Jack cap, Laugh For Sight South Beach.
  • A yellow Labrador plowing forward through deep fresh snow, buried to the shoulders so only his back and head break the surface. His snout is dusted white and a dark leash trails behind him.
    Nash in the Manhattan blizzard, December 2010.
  • A yellow Labrador standing on a snow-covered path in Central Park, filling the lower half of the frame and looking toward the camera. Behind him is the ornate cast-iron railing of Bow Bridge, bare trees, snow-topped planters, and two people in winter coats walking in the distance.
    Nash on Bow Bridge in Central Park, December 2010.
  • Two yellow Labradors nose to nose in a dimly lit room. The one on the left lies on the floor in a leather guide dog harness with his head down; the one on the right leans in toward him, also in harness, with a green collar. A person's legs are visible behind them.
    Nash making a friend at Laugh For Sight Los Angeles, the Improv, April 2014.
  • Brian Fischler standing beside a large Laugh For Sight sign propped on an easel, its logo a smiling eye. He wears a black straw fedora, dark wraparound sunglasses, and a black and white paneled bowling shirt over a navy long-sleeved top, holding a leather harness handle. Nash, his yellow Labrador guide dog, sits at his feet looking up at the camera, mouth open. Framed photographs hang on the yellow wall behind them.
    With Nash at Laugh For Sight, Gotham Comedy Club, October 2014.

Elsewhere entirely

Not all famous people are comedians

  • Cesar Millan and Brian Fischler shaking hands and facing each other in profile, Millan's other hand on Brian's shoulder. Millan has short silver hair and a goatee and wears a black leather jacket over a printed T-shirt. Brian wears a black and white houndstooth fedora, dark sunglasses, and a cream and black paneled bowling shirt. A large photographic mural fills the wall behind them.
    Meeting Cesar Millan at last, April 2014. Brian wrote for the Dog Whisperer’s website for a few years — a job that came out of the blog he kept at guide dog school — before ever meeting the man himself.
  • Petros Papadakis and Brian Fischler standing side by side outside the club at night, Brian's arm around his shoulders. Papadakis wears a pale blue button-down shirt with the sleeves rolled and holds a program. Brian wears a black and white houndstooth fedora, dark wraparound sunglasses and a maroon and black paneled bowling shirt, holding a leather harness handle. Nash, his yellow Labrador guide dog, stands in harness at their feet. A large black and white mural covers the wall behind them.
    With sports broadcaster Petros Papadakis and Nash at the fourth Los Angeles Laugh For Sight, April 2014.
  • Jenna Elfman and Brian Fischler standing in front of a large Laugh For Sight banner showing the smiling eye logo. Elfman has short blonde hair and wears a cream jacket studded with metal along the lapels over a patterned blouse, with light trousers. Brian wears a black and white houndstooth fedora, dark sunglasses, and a tan jacket over a blue shirt, with white earbuds hanging around his neck.
    With Jenna Elfman at the second Los Angeles Laugh For Sight, the Hollywood Improv, March 2012.
  • Jenna Elfman and Brian Fischler standing together in the club bar, her arm around his shoulders. Elfman wears a blue sleeveless dress with black trim and strappy black sandals. Brian wears a black and white houndstooth fedora, dark wraparound sunglasses and a maroon and black paneled bowling shirt, holding a leather harness handle. Nash, his yellow Labrador guide dog, stands in harness in front of them with his tongue out. Bottles line the bar behind.
    With Jenna Elfman and Nash at the fourth Los Angeles Laugh For Sight, the Hollywood Improv, April 2014.
  • Craig Carton and Brian Fischler standing together in front of the Laugh For Sight sign on its easel, Brian's arm around Carton's shoulders. Carton wears a dark baseball cap and a bright blue lace-neck hooded sweatshirt with the number 62 on the front, over jeans and white sneakers. Brian wears a black straw fedora, dark wraparound sunglasses, and a black and white paneled bowling shirt over a navy long-sleeved top, holding a leather harness handle. Nash, his yellow Labrador guide dog, stands in harness beside him with his head lowered.
    With Craig Carton and Nash at Laugh For Sight, Gotham Comedy Club, October 2014. Carton has hosted the New York benefit three times.

On camera

Behind the scenes of the Yahoo All Blind Fantasy Football League shoot

Brian executive produced and starred in Yahoo’s mini-documentary about the All Blind Fantasy Football League. It passed a million views. These are from the days it took to shoot it.

  • Close portrait of Brian Fischler against a bright purple backdrop, laughing with his head turned slightly to one side. He wears a black flat cap and an open short-sleeved shirt printed with blue and green zebras over a navy tee.
    Between takes.
  • Brian Fischler seated on a wooden stool in the middle of a lit studio set, against a backdrop washed in purple and orange. A softbox and a boom microphone hang overhead, flags and light stands crowd both edges of the frame, and a coffee cup and water bottles sit on a black box beside him. He wears a black flat cap, a zebra-print shirt over a navy tee, and black trousers.
    The set, with everything that stays out of shot.
  • Brian Fischler seated in a bright room with white paneled walls and a hanging fern, laughing mid-conversation. In the foreground a masked camera operator works a cinema camera, Brian's face visible on its monitor. He wears a black flat cap and a zebra-print shirt over a navy tee.
    On the monitor, mid-answer.

Gotham Comedy Club

Family

  • Four people standing in front of a Laugh For Sight banner, the letter O in the word for drawn as a smiling eye, with the lit Gotham Comedy Club skyline backdrop behind. From the left: an older man in a blue checked shirt and glasses, an older woman in a pink and cream patterned top, Robert Klein in a dark overcoat and glasses, and Brian Fischler in a houndstooth fedora and dark sunglasses, wearing a navy sweater with red stripes. Brian's yellow Labrador guide dog Nash stands in harness at his side, mouth open.
    Brian with his mother, his father and Robert Klein at Laugh For Sight, Gotham Comedy Club, October 2013.