Pookey wiginton biography of william hill
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Wigington had discovered the same when he was playing high school ball at Morningside: “I would take advantage of kids being off-balance, not knowing their center of gravity,” he says.
The pointguard, in his Seton Hall daysCourtesy of Seton HallNo, the problem was his right knee. The movies are in Box Office Mojo’s list of the top 10 grossing stand-up comedy movies.
He shared executive-producer credit with the comedian on the latter’s 2013 standup movie, Kevin Hart:
Let Me Explain, which grossed $32 million—as well as on his 2011 Laugh at My Pain. “It is the lowest point on the economic totem pole in Southern California. building a show,” he says, so that if talent left, he could replace it and keep rolling.
He also produced two of the largest touring concerts in comedy history grossing over $200 million dollars domestically and internationally while selling out arenas.
Wigington continues to build the legacy and lives of comedians and diverse clients from professional athletes, music artists, writers, producers, and actors. (“That’s not my lane,” he says.) His talent is not creating comedy but identifying it and selling it.
But with some of his comics he took on the role of financial adviser.
He is a visionary in identifying key talent and maximizing potential.
Pookey grew up in Inglewood, California. In 1986 at Ventura Junior College, the young point guard averaged 11 points a game, with 8.3 assists and 5.4 steals, and drew attention from Division I programs.
A year later came a scholarship and a chance to play for P.J. Carlesimo at Seton Hall.
Everybody was gangbanging in my neighborhood, but the really good athletes were protected.” Pookey was good. He named this brand within a brand the Chocolate Sundaes comedy show. Seton Hall’s newest team member was just 5-foot-3—making him the smallest player ever in the storied Big East.
The following season Carlesimo’s Pirates went all the way to the NCAA title game, the first in the team’s history—losing by a point to Michigan in overtime.
Both movies are in Box Office Mojo’s list of the top-10-grossing standup-comedy concerts.
The bad knee aside, life is good these days for the former Seton Hall player, who finds time to coach his four sons, Leland III, Lathan, Landon, and Lofton—who go by (in order) Snookey, Tookey, Wookey, and Zookey—in the game he knew and loved so well.
For a kid who grew up in the Bottoms, it turned out to be not that far to the top.
For more great business stories in our Pro-Files series check out both Fortune.com and SI.com
This story is from the October 6, 2014 issue of Fortune.
LELAND POOKEY WIGINGTON
- Graduate of Seton Hall University
- Inductee of Seton Halls Men’s Basketball Hall of Fame
- President and CFO for Hartbeat Productions
- Negotiated Contracts in:
- Production
- Entertainment
- Television and Film
- Employee Contracts
Leland Wigington grew up in Inglewood, California as a student athlete.
The aim, says Wigington, was “to get him to a place where he can do his work freely and not worry about what his financial situation looked like.”
In comedy, of course, timing is everything—and it would seem to be true in Wigington’s business enterprises as well. “He wasn’t experienced in the world, so it was very limited,” says Wigington, “but he understood who he was and became able to be self-deprecating in a way that the material was relevant to everyone.”
In 2009 he helped the rising star set up a company, Hartbeat Productions, and became a managing partner.
Throughout his life, Pookey has been underestimated and has done what many said he couldn’t at 5’3”. When he first saw Kevin Hart perform, Wigington knew he was the real deal. In his spare time, he enjoys spending time with his four young sons.
As a philanthropist dedicated to the youth, Pookey has developed programs that support the next generation and is recognized for his efforts with nonprofit organizations including Team Dream Academy, Britticares International, Comedy in Schools, Shields for Families and Children Uniting Nations.
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Pookey Wigington: Big man on campus
“Where I lived—they called it the Bottoms,” says Leland “Pookey” Wigington Jr., who is now a successful producer.
The Chocolate Sundaes Team
“Laughter is food for the soul.”
If that is true, Pookey Wigington is the Executive Chef, serving a multi-flavored cuisine of comedy for over 20 years.
On September 17, 1999, Pookey began his stake in the world of comedy by launching Chocolate Sundaes Comedy Show at the Laugh Factory in Hollywood, California.
Chocolate Sundaes was, and continues to be, a platform for break-out stand-up comedians.
You have to set up your business, your brand, and business structure properly.