How Brooks Wheelan went from biomedical engineer to SNL

Brooks Whelan, a stand-up comedian and former Saturday Night Live cast member, shares his unconventional journey from biomedical engineering at the University of Iowa to a career in comedy. Born in Manchester, Iowa, Whelan initially pursued a pre-med path but discovered his passion for stand-up at 19 after a job at a Penguins restaurant in Cedar Rapids. He balanced a demanding biomedical engineering job in Irvine, California, with nightly comedy gigs in Hollywood, eventually landing on SNL after strong performances at comedy festivals. Though his year on SNL was a personal and professional challenge—leading to self-doubt and a sense of failure—he maintained deep friendships with fellow comedians like Tim Robinson and Seth Meyers. After leaving SNL, Whelan pivoted to writing and touring, releasing his acclaimed comedy special 'Live in Alaska'—a two-week tour of remote Alaskan towns filmed on a modest budget. Despite financial risk and lack of network interest, the special gained critical acclaim, including a New York Times top-three ranking. Now, at 39, Whelan is shifting focus toward travel storytelling, personal writing, and stand-up, inspired by Anthony Bourdain’s 'Kitchen Confidential.' He emphasizes authenticity, resilience, and the importance of being fully committed to one’s creative path, even at personal cost. His message to students is clear: if you want to do art, do it all in—no half-measures.