Comedian Woody Allen once said he didn't think "being funny was anyone's first choice." He obviously did not meet Joe Fernandez.

Fernandez, a College of Communication junior, is a member of the Studio 013 Refugees, Marquette's only comedy group, and hopes to continue doing comedy once he leaves school.

Although Fernandez said he initially didn't even want to come to college, he said he is now comfortable and enjoys Marquette. He said he chose the university because it had an improv comedy group and because of its proximity to his home in Chicago — actually the suburb of Naperville.

Fernandez said his parents have made many sacrifices for him and his brother as they grew up, supported his passion for improv and motivated him to attend college.

Fernandez's father emigrated from Cuba at the age of nine, around the time Fidel Castro assumed power. His father came to America not even knowing English but worked hard and earned his graduate degree from the Harvard School of Medicine.

"I admire my parents a lot," Fernandez said. "I wish I had their work ethic."

Fernandez's work ethic in his field is evident. Past improv experiences include the Improv Olympics, a comedy club in Chicago that counts Mike Myers and Marquette alumnus Chris Farley as past students. The club taught him the ins and outs of improv.

"Everything I learned in that class is what I use to go off of now," he said.

While comedy is a learned skill and he's been practicing it for years, Fernandez admits he still gets nervous before a big show. In fact, it goes beyond just nerves — he can't eat the day of, shakes and has even vomited on occasion.

"You're just sort of unconscious out there on stage until you get a laugh," Fernandez said. "Once you get a laugh the nerves go down a little and you just go with it. The stuff just comes to you in the moment."

For most of the skits Fernandez said he tends to draw from his own life and people he's met, be it friends or family members.

"I like to base my improv on something that's true, something funny I've heard someone say or something funny I've seen happen," Fernandez said. "It's better to have it be real than to try and fake it."

On top of the Fugees, Fernandez is one of three members in another improv group called Glass Menage a Trois. The group performed four shows this past December but has not yet reunited for more shows this semester.

Fernandez said although he was paid for the shows, he doesn't really consider it a "job." He said he's never had a true job in his life, except for one dark day in junior year in high school.

"I worked at Dairy Queen for one day," he said. "It was pretty much the worst day of my life. I couldn't keep up with dipping all of the Dilly Bars."

Fernandez picked broadcasting as his major because it's the closest thing to what he wants to do — namely, improv. He's just been cast in the upcoming Marquette play "The Shape of Things." He also does a show for MUTV called Gamma Patrol (Wednesdays at 9 p.m. and Thursdays at 7 p.m.) where he gets to work on — you guessed it — more improv.

"I'm always impressed by Joe," said College of Arts & Sciences sophomore and fellow Refugee member Julie Riederer. "He's always conscious of others on stage, he has a really broad base of characters and he knows the rules of improv really well. He's just willing to jump out there and do anything."

With a nickname like Hugz (spelled with a z so he could keep some of his dignity), it seems just about everybody likes Joe Fernandez.

"He's really dedicated to what he does," said College of Engineering senior Aaron Podbelski. "Even though he doesn't come off as a very compassionate person, he actually is very much and doesn't like to think negatively about other people. His love for improv is almost as big as his love for olives. He puts olives on everything he eats. It's kind of disgusting."

As far as the future goes, he still isn't sure. He plans to apply for the Late Night with David Letterman internship this summer, combining comedy and broadcasting. He plans to take a leadership position in the Refugees in his final year at Marquette this fall.

Remember the name Joe Fernandez. In a few years, he may be making the comedy club rounds in New York or Los Angeles. But before then, be in Marquette Hall at 8 p.m. Feb. 25 to catch Fernandez and the rest of the Studio 013 Refugees perform. Like Fernandez says, it's funny… and free.

This article appeared in The Marquette Tribune on Feb. 17 2005.