Paul Ego

{{short description|New Zealand comedian}}

{{Use dmy dates|date=July 2019}}

{{Infobox person

| name = Paul Ego

| image = File:Paul Ego 2017.png

| imagesize =

| caption = Ego in 2017

| pseudonym =

| birth_name = Paul Jones

| birth_date = {{Birth date and age|1966|3|12|df=y}}

| birth_place = New Zealand

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| nationality = New Zealander

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| influences =

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| notable_work =

| awards = Billy T Award (2000)

| website =

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| current_members =

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}}

Paul Ego (birth name Paul Jones; born {{Birth date|1966|3|12|df=y}}) is a Billy T Award winning New Zealand comedian.{{cite web |title=Fred Awards - 2009 nominees revealed! |url=http://tvnz.co.nz/international-comedy-festival/fred-awards-2009-nominees-revealed-2752924 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110613181840/http://tvnz.co.nz/international-comedy-festival/fred-awards-2009-nominees-revealed-2752924 |archive-date=13 June 2011 |accessdate=29 July 2010 |work=Television New Zealand}} He is best known both for his past role as leader of Team One on the New Zealand comedy current affairs panel show 7 Days,{{Cite web|title = 7 Days - Shows - TV3|url = http://www.tv3.co.nz/Shows/7Days.aspx|website = www.tv3.co.nz|access-date = 2016-01-12}} and as the voice artist of the Stickman in television advertisements for PAK'nSAVE supermarket.

In the mid 1980s, Ego was the singer in an Auckland-based band called The Yes Men. He also worked as a signwriter.{{cite web |title=Bean Break: Paul Ego |url=https://radiopublic.com/nz-radio-training-school-WD3VpG/s1!f7752 |publisher=NZ Radio Training School |date=October 16, 2022}}

Ego's first comedy gig was in London in 1994 and upon returning to New Zealand in 1995 he soon became a regular sight on the pro-comedy skyline.https://www.facebook.com/pages/Paul-Ego/60836936638?id=60836936638&sk=info {{User-generated source|certain=yes|date=March 2022}} He performed his show Paul Ego's Show in 1999 in Auckland and Christchurch.{{cite web |title=Bats Theatre :[Posters for productions at Bats Theatre. 1999]. |url=https://tiaki.natlib.govt.nz/#details=ecatalogue.503480 |publisher=National Library of New Zealand |access-date=5 September 2023 |quote=Paul Ego (1999 Billy T nominee) presents "Paul Ego's Show"; a playful hour in the company of NZ's tallest comedian. TV2 International Laugh Festival. "Like a cross between a cheeky child and a giraffe with an extremely quick tongue". Wellington, Bats Theatre, 28 April - 1 May; Auckland, Manifesto, 4-8 May; Christchurch, The Green Room, 11-15 May [1999]}} Ego was nominated for the Billy T Award in 1999, and won the award in 2000.

Ego's radio career began in 2000 with his role on the Kim & Corbett Breakfast Show on Auckland's More FM. His role on the award-winning show involved writing comedy scripts and voicing many of the shows regular characters. In 2006 Paul moved to NZ's Rock Network and he is now one quarter of The Morning Rumble.{{Cite web|url=http://www.tv3.co.nz/Paul-Ego/tabid/927/articleID/61186/Default.aspx|title = Home}} According to his website, he was "parolled in 2011"{{Cite web |url=http://thepaulego.com/ |title=PAUL EGO – Comedian | "Entertaining, insightful and has a terrific rapport with his audience" (NZ Herald) |access-date=7 December 2013 |archive-date=3 January 2014 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140103081915/http://thepaulego.com/ |url-status=dead }} in order to "get to know his family again in the mornings."https://www.facebook.com/pages/Paul-Ego/60836936638?id=60836936638&sk=info {{User-generated source|certain=yes|date=March 2022}}

In the early months of 2013 he co-starred alongside Jeremy Corbett in a comedy show called The Radio. Ego has been married to his wife Janine for 25 years, and has two sons; on his website, he claims to be a "loving but mostly ineffective father."{{Cite web |url=http://thepaulego.com/reviews/ |title=REVIEWS/TESTIMONIALS | PAUL EGO – Comedian |access-date=7 December 2013 |archive-date=7 December 2013 |archive-url=https://archive.today/20131207234907/http://thepaulego.com/reviews/ |url-status=dead }}{{cite web |url=http://www.paulego.com/ |title=Home |website=paulego.com}} He lives in the wealthy North Auckland suburb of Devonport, a source of several jokes from his fellow 7 Days colleagues.

Ego's inspirations include Eddie Izzard.