RAPID CITY, SD — Actor and comedian Billy Gardell is returning to his stand-up roots and bringing his Less Is More tour to the Rapid City Performing Arts Center on February 14. Gardell joined The Roadhouse Show to talk about the upcoming performance, his journey back to comedy and the personal experiences behind his newest hour of material.

Gardell, widely recognized for his roles in Mike and Molly and Bob Hearts Abishola, said he is energized to be back on stage. “Once a stand-up, always a stand-up,” he said. “I’ve been spending the last year getting this hour ready, and now it’s ready for the theater.” He added that smaller, historic venues are his favorite places to tour, calling them “intimate settings where there’s a communal vibe.”

A major theme in his new show is his 173-pound weight loss. Gardell said he made the change for his long-term health, not for show business. “I had to get healthy,” he said. “I didn’t want to spend the rest of my life on medication and sitting in a chair because I couldn’t get up. At the end of the day, if you’re not healthy, you don’t have anything else.”

He also discussed raising his 22-year-old son and the pressures younger generations face. Gardell said he prefers to support, not criticize. “These kids are dealing with more than anybody else has,” he said. “I think it’s low-hanging fruit to rip on them. We need an adult at the table saying, ‘I’m rooting for you.’”

Much of his inspiration comes from his father, who encouraged him to pursue comedy long before fame arrived. “My dad was always like, ‘Never give it up, never give it up,’” Gardell said. “He was the adult in my life who inspired me.”

He also reflected on his marriage of 25 years, crediting his wife for helping him stay grounded. “My wife taught me how to impersonate a human being,” he joked. “She has stood beside me, in front of me or behind me — anything I needed.”

Gardell added that he plans to explore the Black Hills during his visit. “We will be taking a ride, I promise you,” he said, noting that his wife often joins him on mountain stops and may travel with him to Rapid City.