Louis Centanni proves laughter really is the best medicine

In the United States alone, more than 138,000 children have been diagnosed with Tourette Syndrome. That’s no laughing matter. But South Jersey’s Louis Centanni has managed to embrace the healing power of laughter. The area native and comedian, who is in his late 20s, incorporates his personal life into his comedy sets, which centers largely around dealing with Tourette Syndrome through the years.


Since leaving Atlantic County upon graduating from Ocean City High School in 2003, Centanni has certainly made a mark in the entertainment world by juggling his time between standup comedy and acting gigs. And he claims to be enjoying a 50/50 split between the two duties.

“To be honest,” he says, “it’s an equal mix.” The multi-faceted entertainer, who can be seen in two shows 8 p.m. Friday and Saturday, Sept. 4 and 5, with Reverend Bob Levy and other funny folks at Trump Taj Mahal Casino Resort, cites the thirsty drive of an up-and-coming talent as being the prime motivator for his success.

“I enjoy whatever work I get. As any entertainer will tell you, you never know when it will end.”

Centanni’s workflow doesn’t show signs of ending anytime soon, as he maintains a healthy presence on both comedy stages and MTV. He’s been involved in 14 different productions for the channel, but traces his ascent back to an early appearance on the Tonight Show with Jay Leno.

“Jay convinced me to do standup,” Centanni reveals. After performing in a Tonight Show sketch, Leno engaged the young actor in a conversation backstage. Centanni says the discussion had a great impact on his life.

Centanni has become a regular participant on the Opie and Anthony Show, where he gained the nickname “Twitchels,” due to the tics caused by his Tourette’s. He says that he feels more comfortable acting, where he can “hold in my tics.”

“It’s the concentration and creative focus that lets me control it,” he adds. On the comedy stage, Centanni has a much more personal, introspective approach, and says his presence there is a much truer sense of his offstage personality.

“I have good days and bad days,” Centanni says. “What makes the bad days better is my use of humor.” He claims that laughing is, “the most therapeutic thing I can do” and hopes his act will make people more aware of what life can be like for those with the syndrome.

“We’ve come a long way since I was first diagnosed as a child,” he says. “But there are still a lot of people who don’t know about this disorder.”

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