About
Patrick Keane ’97: Finding the Funny in Every Corner of the World
Whether he’s sharing the stage with comedy greats like David Spade and Frank Caliendo or performing for crowds on cruise ships halfway around the world, Patrick Keane ’97 has built a career out of making people laugh.
A comedian who has traveled the globe, Patrick lives for the sound of a roaring audience. “The most rewarding part of my job is the laughter I hear and the compliments afterwards,” Patrick says. “You've removed a layer of unfamiliarity, and people hold you closer to their heart and mind after you've made them laugh.”
Raised in the suburbs of Southern California, Patrick came to Carroll feeling apprehensive about Montana and the people he would find there. Yet, he credits Montanans and their patience for helping him grow fond of the area. While at Carroll, Patrick majored in both International Relations and Psychology, but one of the most important lessons he learned was how to navigate change. During his undergraduate years, the Internet rose in prominence and altered much about the world he knew. “So the world I saw entering college and leaving college were entirely different. Carroll helped make that transition as smooth as possible,” Patrick explains.
College wasn’t just about academics for Patrick. Nearly three decades after graduating, he still recalls Friday hangouts with friends, participating in Softball Weekend, and enjoying the ’90s music and culture from Seattle brought to campus by many of his classmates. Even today, movies like Singles and bands such as Nirvana and Alice in Chains transport him back to those carefree days. “The community that existed [on campus] gives me goosebumps to this day,” Patrick says.
Carroll’s international connections also broadened Patrick’s perspective. He recalls the strong presence of international students on campus who, he says, “raised the bar for intellectualism” and deepened his appreciation for diverse viewpoints. Patrick’s favorite aspect of Carroll was its exchange program, through which he studied in Kumamoto, Japan — an experience that shaped his worldview and continues to influence his comedy and writing today.
After graduating from Carroll in 1997, Patrick went on to perform as a traveling comedian for clubs, colleges, cruise ships, corporate gigs, and radio shows. Over the years, he has lived in Los Angeles and New York, and now resides in Arizona to be closer to family.
On a typical day, you might find Patrick performing, traveling, writing, or exercising to stay healthy. For him, the most difficult part of the job is the travel, while “actually getting on stage is the easiest.” Another important part of his career is writing: he frequently creates material for other comedians and even for television, a process he particularly enjoys.
Decades into his career, Patrick has gathered insights he hopes today’s Carroll students will take to heart. He’s discovered that mistakes are valuable teachers and that comparing yourself to others or striving for perfection can get in the way of growth. “You don’t need to be perfect,” he reminds them, “Just compare yourself to where you were a year ago.” He also reminds students that Carroll is just the beginning. “Don’t think your lives have to be decided by graduation,” he advises. “So much of the business world and life lessons will come after you’ve left college.”